I have an empty basket!

I have an empty basket! You know what that means right?? Yep, I watched TV last night - two episodes of Doctor Who and 1 episode of Journeyman and 1 episode of Flash Gordon.

Ok- your probably thinking "holy crap! Did she do anything else last night?" Well actually, yes I did, thank you for asking. I finished crocheting that damned squishy rainbow blanket!!!!!!!!!

Look!!!

Woo Hoo! ( as she does the Snoopy dance). Yes- It is finally finished after over two years!!!

See??? Finito!

Ok yes- I know, it is not a huge afghan or complicated pattern, there is nothing special about it. It was really just an impulsive usage of an impulsive purchase. I am trying to curb that, no really, I am.

But just the fact that it was a UFO or more precisely a F/U project, or for more sensitive hearing a Screwed Up Salvaged Project (SUSP), makes it all the sweeter to complete! And as it turns out, it is just the right size for a little girl, who cannot have enough of her Mimi's blankies to curl up in. Now it's out of my computer/craft/disaster room and into the washing machine to make it's clean get away to Sarah's house ( and out of mine..lol). I couldn't be happier! (I know, I know, enough already...I'm done)

Now I have an empty basket ready for the next UFO to be placed inside it (shuddering)...as soon as that last alpaca square is done....I am at the finish line with it.

So I now present....Drum roll please....Raine's Squishy Rainbow Blanket! Ta-Da!

Ok that was for Raine....she's 7, whadda you want?

Weekend excitement- Welcome to my world!

Normally, all I talk about here is my craft- which ever one takes my fancy at the time (usually knitting) But I recently read somewhere that people like to read other things about a person's daily life in their blogs because we are made up of other things besides knitting. Too true!

So here is a slice of my daily life.

For the two or three people who might stumble upon this post and don't know it, I work for a police department in a fairly well behaved, affluent town. Usually weekends are a breeze at work and I really don't mind working them, generally speaking.

This weekend was plodding along quite nicely, Saturday was quiet ( we never say the Q word at work.) and we had no major incidents, that is not to say that the surrounding communities did not have their own issues (I think someone mentioned the Q word to them). I remember thinking at the time, that they needed to keep their trash south of our borders.

And weekends are usually a great time to catch up on paperwork, which I seem to have an abundance of. I also work on the department's website and having got myself behind schedule with events, I spent until the wee hours of the morn' getting the Halloween announcement page ready after I got home, you know, when I could have been knitting.
No biggie, what is a little red eye between friends. And I think it looks totally cute this year!

So having fiddled around on Saturday while at work, Sunday was going to be my paperwork catch up day, and I was swimming right along, all by my little lonesome until a neighboring community called and said:

"Hey- did you get any reports of an assault on your bike path??" "Noooooooo." "Well you do now!"

Oh Boy!

Adrenaline kicks in and dispatcher mode goes into high gear (should I mention the Bears Game had just started?) No giving the usual verbal heads up for the boys in the next room-I dispatch the call. They run!!

I love these kind of calls - No don't get me wrong, I do not like when people are hurt, quite the opposite, and this case was severe, very severe! And my heart goes out to the victim!

But I do love the rush you get from having an in-progress, hot call, out of the normal, run of the mill, automation of movements, type of call that require real brain activity!

"Unknown offender, unknown direction of travel" In other words-stop everything thing that breathes! "Medics on scene with severe injuries"
(yeah ok- did we know he walked to the hospital?)
No signs of life on the bike path-hmm

Suffice it to say, I began a frenzy of phones calls, to gather information, and disseminate information, and call in additional manpower. Fun Times- woo hoo!
I can't give the details of the call as it is under investigation, and the details are sketchy at best, we will just leave it at, this was an icky call, one that involved stopping the train for three hours.
This call started with me and two officers on shift at 7:30 pm. I finally left at 1:30 am, my two officers were still there, processing evidence, along with the four additional officers that I called in, Chief and Deputy Chief.

The victim? Well, his injuries were pretty severe, and I can't really tell you what they were, but he was air lifted out to another hospital as soon as he was stabilized, hospital A, being practically across the street from the incident, and when I left at 1:30 am, he was still in surgery and had been for several hours. We never got to talk to him so we don't know the rest of the story. Sorry- I have to leave you to your imagination.
And something to remember- Trains are big and made of metal! People are made flesh, blood and bone- hopefully the twain shall never meet- because if they do- people usually loose.

Bet you can guess why I knit daily now!


Housekeeping

Unrelated- for those of you that have been here more than twice- you might have noticed I have been doing a little house keeping. Adding labels and what nots. I find the more time spend here, and more I learn and the more I play. I am sure I am not alone in that regard.
So to make it easier to find particular posts ( I hope) I have tried to categorize them a tad, for those of you that might want a second look.

Is it black or is it brown?

Here I have been thinking this little beauty was black all this time. Until I actually started working with it. In real life it looks just as black as it does in this picture. Ok so maybe it was a case of poor lighting in combination with poor eye site, but until I started knitting in some good lighting, I would have sworn it was black yarn!! Good thing my new glasses will be in soon, the Optometrist was not impressed with the pair I have been wearing for the past several years. I believe he mentioned something about a garbage can.

I tried to take several pictures that depict the true color, but as with most things, there is no justice in the photograph.

I am still in awe of the beauty of nature and the variety of colors of these lovely animals.


Some progress made. Yes I have been working on this piece, but I have frogged more than I would have liked. I should have had this one finished by now, darn that job of mine for getting in the way of knitting! Darker colors do not show off the stitch pattern as nicely as with the lighter color yarns. This is the fourth pattern stitch I have tried this week. So I rip it, rip it, rip it until I get it right. I am liking the look of this one.
Alpaca Barb's alpaca show is looming up fast (no pun intended)! I so want to have this wall hanging on display for her (ok, and for me too, yes, I am vain enough or I would not be here in the first place). Nothing wrong in wanting people to ooh and ahh over something we have made, right? It makes all the frogging we do well worth it!

(Carbon Copy- pattern stitch - waving rib)

This picture shows the beautiful rich brown of the yarn so much better, try to ignore the little fuzzy stuck to it, I promise not to have that in the completed shot. This is my last square to complete, the alpaca's names have to be added. I still have not decided how the layout will go.

I have been pretty much flying by the seat of my pants for this whole project.

Charity Knitting

I must have been tired last night. I woke up this morning and found I had posted this picture with no commentary. Oops- a sure sign that I stayed up too late!
This basket-o-scarves is ear marked for a local homeless shelter. It is just a start, I have six done so far, but as soon as I am finished with the alpaca project I plan to start knocking out some more scarves and hats. (My stash depletion plan). I have a lot of fuzzy wuzzy yarn left over from the squishy blanket that will be perfect for a warm scarf to help someone see the winter through.
I have a couple of friends that have an over abundance of yarn as well that I taught how to knit last year (they crochet as well). I am hoping to convince them to join me in this endeavor. There is a local shelter that my Police Department runs a coat drive for every winter. I think this would make a nice compliment to any coats we receive this year.

Squishiness

Kinda silly when you think about it, the reason this one is not finished. A couple of years ago I started this blanket for a baby shower. One of those, I really like this squishy yarn, and bought it kind of deals. So I just started knitting, at break neck speed, then when I thought I should be just about finished, I took a good look at it and realized it was much too big for a baby blanket. Infact, I think it would have fit the whole crib. So I immediately slammed on the brakes, re-thunk the situation and instead of frogging I decided to add a few border rows and give it to my grandaughter. 'Cept, I never finished.

(Made from Red Heart's Baby Clouds- very warm and snuggley but tends to pill)

I don't usually do that, I very rarely have UFO's, but in this case it has sat in the basket needing those few rows crocheted for two years. The baby who I started it for just had her second birthday. She received something altogether different, a different blanket that was crocheted and a matching sweater. Knitting and crocheting for baby showers are always a rush it seems. For the last 4 or 5 years it seemed that all I did was make baby stuff. I had two baby showers back to back that year. My best friend had her first baby then too so I was also working on her gifts at the same time, plus trying to finish a cross stitch baby quilt as well (that also is a UFO).



One thing always seems to lead to another in large families, and I never could bring myself to pick up the hook and finish this one after all the rushing around was done.

Since I am trying to deplete my overgrown stash, I decided I had better start here. It now sits next to my tv chair to remind to get it done. I did throw a few stitches on it last night before my niece showed up to visit.
Now, if Iwould just sit down to watch some tv.

Kinda Fugly Shawl

This is a step back into the past a little ways. I actually made this shawl (my first) last winter. I have an abundance of this particular yarn because I was going to crochet an afghan from a pattern I "inherited" when my mom passed away. She had used this pattern called a "Star pattern" for the layette set she made when my son was born. Well, I guess I should have had her show me how it was done. It is the most complicated pattern I have ever tried to read and I completely botched the whole damn thing.
So a frogging we will go... and I shoved the whole mess into the closet.
Until last winter, while I sat in my freezing computer/craft/disaster room shivering until I could hear my teeth rattle- I pulled out two of these ginormous balls of yarn, used it double strand and started knitting.

No real pattern here. I started out with three stitches, and increased on each end, I think maybe every other row. Honestly I can't remember. It is pretty big as you can see by the size of the chair, and toasty warm! Which was what my goal was. I was told that it was hillbilly ( I think that was the word he used) and that I should throw it away. He also told me to quit wearing "that blanket" around the house, along with some other derogatory comments. *shrug* What do I care what it looks like -it keeps me warm and has a place of honor on the computer chair.

A Sad Day on Sesame Street

Remember, way back in the beginning of this boring little blog, I posted this picture of my alpaca sweater? The yarn was a Christmas gift a couple of years ago from my sister in law. I was ever so excited when I received this yarn and the yarn my Ivy UFO is being knit with. Anyway I knit up this little shell, and even got to wear it several times.

Well, this summer, right after I had that little dizzy spell, and while my head was still spinning, so to speak, I attempted to do the laundry- I'll bet you can guess where this is going, (yes I know...fool). Well we all know this little piece needs to be washed by hand, and I preform this chore most lovingly. So can you imagine my surprise when I found it in the washing machine with my uniforms!?!?! Those scratchy uniforms that I wash on the heavy duty cycle with lots of fabric softener!

Yup you guessed it...it felted! If I had been feeling better I think I would have cried. I stared for several minutes, turning it over and over in my hands.

Trying to determine if it could be salvaged or not. Then uttered a defeated "Oh Boy", shook my head and made my way back up the stairs to announce to everyone in the room what a complete moron I had just been.

About a week later- still not feeling up to par, and still feeling sorry formyself, I lay in my recliner making my daughter wait on me... I told her to go get the sweater.

First I tried it on the baby.

(pardon the grainy camera phone photos)

Then I tried it on the other baby.

Then both the babies had a good laugh! I failed to see the humour, if my daughter would just learn how to knit, she could have appreciated all the hard work that went in to it. Alright, so it wasn't that difficult, but she doesn't need to know that.
If the other baby would just finish that damn bean bag, she too might have been a little more sympathetic.

I mean really! They didn't have to laugh so loud, did they?

Basa unlettered

I finished Basa last night when I got home from work I only had the five border rows to do so it went fairly fast. For some reason this square wants to be bigger than the rest, go figure - same amount of stitches, same needles, same yarn. I am hoping it blocks out the same or it will have to be a do-over.

"Basa"

pattern stitch - basket weave

My fingers are getting anxious to begin stitching the names on each block, but I am going to knit the last block first before I start any lettering. I haven't yet picked out the pattern stitch for Carbon Copy yet. I am trying to decide how best to show off the black yarn. I am thinking my late October deadline will be a piece of cake!

Best viewed in low lighting

...Or chocolate sock! As the title states, this one is best viewed in low lighting, that way you don't notice the toe is not quite right. Ever get your ssk's and you k2tog's reversed? Yup that is what happened here! Of course once I noticed it, I was so close to the finish line that I did not have the heart to frog. Besides, socks should be comfortable - right? Who is really going to see that toe anyway since it will be hidden by my shoe. Then there is that pesky grafting business...I just can't seem to wrap my head around that one. Each time I do the kitchener stitch I find I have to refer to a how to. (no shame in that I guess)

I did wiggle a bit when I took this picture (balancing on one foot with the other on a rocker-quite a feat) so it is a tad blurry. I completed this one while watching Premonition tonite. Freaky movie! I was going to work on the Basa square but I was afraid I would end up frogging that one since I had to watch the movie with a box of tissues. I am a sap, I know, and I get ribbed for it every time.

I haven't yet woven in the ends so I may have a change of heart and rip tomorrow. We'll see.

Now that I have one off the needles I no longer have to split my interest and can get back to completing the Alpaca Project. Socky # 2 can wait.

Off topic- yesterday was mall day with Raine we managed to walk the mall twice (it's a hike). She is such a little trouper she did not even complain until I mentioned we had been walking for four hours. At which point she promply sat down on a bench and announce she was tired, the little stinker, and I was the one carrying the bags. Today we went to see Finding Nemo on Ice. Absolutely adorable show. I think the I enjoyed it as much as she did.

Waste of a day

Some progress was made on both pieces yesterday. Today however was a bust all the way around! My daughter Sarah came over and we were supposed to go to the mall together but we did not get very far in it.
I got real tired right away and had to go home. We were also supposed to go over to a friends to see her new house, but that too had to be put off. It is tuff to be mortal sometimes. The rest of my day and evening was spent sleeping. WHAT A WASTE OF A DAY OFF. I mean, what the hell... I am only 941 years old!!! I should be able to walk through a freakin' mall for pete's sake. (Sorry for the rant- it is frustrating to have to take a 10 hour nap)

Anyway- yesterday was productive, I got quite abit finished on both pieces, well- mostly on Basa. My daughter loved it! I laid out several squares for her to admire and she oo'd and ah'd in all the right places. (This would be my artistic child that refuses to acknowledge her inherent crafy gene and learn how to knit) I have a busy weekend filled with my little Raine so mortality better not interfere! I don't expect to get much knitting done.


This is Raine's knitting project. I started teaching her to knit at 5 (she is 7 now). This is all the further we have got. I don't get to see her much and since her mother won't knit, her knitting stays at my house, when she comes over and we have time, we pull out her knitting- she knits a few stitches then she is off. (she is a busy person you know). Then we put it away for next time. She tells me she is ready to take it home with her but I am not so sure. She makes very nice stitches and it amazes me that she remembers from lesson to lesson (since we clearly do not knit for any length of time here) and it will eventually be a bean bag.
Maybe this picture will spark a stronger interest and we can finish the bag.

On a side note- I just ran across this article about a Stitch n Bitch group in Chicago that was ran in the Tribune (2001) http://www.stitchnbitch.org/ enjoy the article.

My Stash Runneth Over

Ok, What is it with yarn that leads to compulsive shopping? Is it the softness, the color, the textures, or perhaps it is the endless possibilities. I attended Stitches Midwest in Rosemont this August. Waited for an entire year with bated breath. Having attended last year for the first time, I felt like I had discovered a gold mine! In fibers of course...so I naturally loaded up on wool and cotton, bought an autograph copy of Knitting Nell. Bought some books and more yarn of course. I felt like I was in heaven.

Here, where I live, there are no LYS's. We have Walmart, Hobby Lobby, and Michael's...woo. woo. We all know what kind of yarn can be purchased there. So for obvious reasons, most of my shopping is done via Internet.

So as I said, I attended again in August. And yet again I bought an obscene amount of yarn. This time mostly exotic sock yarn. Played with some needle felting and dying yarn (very cool). Bought myself some Addi needles (also not available in this area) and this Louet drop spindle kit, which I might add that I seem to fairly suck at.

So here I sit with most of last year's purchases, this year's purchases, as well as every other orphan ball of yarn from any project I over purchased for. Yarn that was bought because it was pretty, even tho there was no pattern in mind. Yarn that has been frogged for re-use.

I feel some serious organization is needed here, along with a solid plan for utilization. I am leaning towards some frenzied charity knitting for this year. I think I can just knit from my stash for- oh a good year or so. I will work on that!!!

Not so lucky Vegas Socks

Having Mentioned my Not-so-lucky Vegas socks, I thought it prudent that I picture them here.

I should mention that I worked at a break neck speed to get them finished prior to our trip this past April...why I am not sure, since I was not able to retire after that trip!

But, in any case, they make my feet look darn cute!

If you look closely- you can see the subtle bead work around the cuff. This was my first attempt at combining yarn and beads and I actually crocheted the beads in a picot edging after the socks were knitted.

About Socks- any sock knitter can probably tell you- they are an absolute addiction! It takes no time at all to memorize a pattern. I personally like mine with plain stockinette against my feet, so they knit up pretty quick. Socks are instant gratification and are just about my favorite form of zombie knitting. hardly any counting is necessary and I can sit infront of the TV with Doctor Who and sock knit away!
And if you decide to knit a pair in a complicated pattern- well there is no huge commitment along with that challenge. And my favorite part of the sock...TURNING THE HEEL! It is like magic to watch it take shape! I think that I subconsciously make all of mine short cuffed so I can get to the heel quicker. Ok- so I am kind of a freak...But I am ok with that.

Having this type of obsession leads to an over abundance of sock yarn, which I decided must be used post haste. Hence, this being my latest pair of zombie knitting! Isn't it beautiful???

I paused work briefly on the Alpaca Project to whip up this lovely bit of Lorna's Laces because I am pretty sure my feet needed them, and well I needed to give my mind a little break. But then having talked to Alpaca Barb, I have since discovered that her Alpaca show is at the end of October and it would be nice for her to have her wall hanging on display there where her animals are being shown.

With only two more squares to knit, I decided to set aside my obsession and kick it into high gear and finish those squares. (Still only an idea in my mind as to how I will letter the animals names on them)

Still- it should be completely do-able, and I work pretty well under pressure.

You can see the color of Basa better in this picture. And the difference between the sock yarn and the alpaca. it always amazes me when I look at them that there is not one skein that has dye in it. You can see to that I actually did some work on it last night ;)

Feather and Fan

And prior to all of that and inbetween and all around... I managed to get my Feather and Fan Shawl completed.

(TG-I have it ready now for the cold ass house I live in)

and then there was the pair of (not-so) lucky Vegas socks. They turned out cute even if I did not win in Vegas.

Ha!! And you thought all I knew how to make was scarves... Oh yeah, I made a few of those too.

The Alpaca project

Each panel has a section across the bottom done in stockinette stitch where I will stitch the name of each animal.
(stitch pattern name to be posted below each square)

"Meringue"

stitch pattern- garter-stitch step

You can see that the pictures really do not do the fibers justice. These two squares are not as close in color as they appear here.

" Patriot"

stitch pattern- stockinette triangles

"Starlyn"

stitch pattern- double moss

(keep in mind please that none of these have been washed or blocked yet.)

and this one is from "Sweet Time"

stitch pattern- bramble

Still on the needles is "Basa", again, no justice in the photo! This yarn is a beautiful rich dark brown that is so pleasing to the eye. My absolute favorite! Next to it is "Carbon Copy" which is actually black.

Alpaca Heaven

Seriously... I told you I had been busy!

In between working a bizillion hours of overtime, some extreme dizziness to boot, I have also managed to squeeze in some important knitting time.

Six bags full of natural alpaca yarn from BarmiksHummers

What could be better than that?!?!

Barb has a total of (lucky) 13 Alpacas now I think and this yarn came from the first 6 of them. First time it has ever been spun!

Each bag contains undyed natural yarn from each animal. Each skein (having been wound first) is being knit into a 14 ish inch square, a different pattern for each square, and will be sewn together to form a wall hanging that Barb will be able to display. I plan to stitch each animals name on the squares (accordingly).

Stale?

Well I can see that it looks like I haven't done a damn thing in a while. Truth is I have been busy... and yes I have been knitting several special projects, and even finished some of them (no- not Ivy...it seems we are at an impasse with that one, being more than just part tarded and not comprehending the instructions for the front.)
Picture will follow...I promise.

WIP's

Finally... back to work on the sweater I started before all this crazy scarf business started.

This is the back piece I am currently working on the left front piece.

The pattern is "Ivy" from Knitty.com fall issue.

This is a close up of the cable work. I love cables...so easy, yet so complicated looking.

3 more for the shop

Three more for the shop...did I mention I was SICK of knitting scarves????? Sometimes I wonder what I got my self into. It has been a nice profitable venture but I have a shawl (selfish) and a wraparound sweater (more selfish) that I would like to finish for myself.

The sweater is being done in alpaca and I can't wait to wear it.

Black and Silver Scarf

This was one was also done special order for a Christmas present but the recipient did not like it... What is not to like?? Ah well, some people you just can't change and what she really wanted was a plain black scarf which I knocked out before Christmas as well. I tried to tell the daughter who ordered it she wouldn't want it. Alls well that end's well, this one went to someone who likes a little bling.

Three more down three to go

This pink set was another special order for Christmas. When I delivered it today I was asked to complete another special order scarf before Christmas. YIKES! I am knitting as fast as I can! I have two scarves and a baby hat and mittens to finish before Christmas.

This color was actually called lemon, but it looks more like off white to me.


This blue set is earmarked for a Christmas gift.

Hat for Mark

Seems like all I am knitting these days are special orders for the shop!

I squeezed this one in between the two sets below and my current order.

I wanted to get this one done before the snow flies.

Eyelash sets

These two sets were knitted for a special order after a customer saw the set I made for my daughter.

Wrap Stitch Scarf

I made this for Karen, in appreciation for all her hard work this summer.

Made with KnitPicks Superwash wool in Dublin and Aloe to match Kare's new winter coat in a wrap stitch knitted lengthwise.

Last years gifts

A few of the Christmas gifts I made last year. Sometimes I forget to take pictures so this is not everything.

Twisted drop stitch for Sarahs grab bag.

Sarahs Shrug

Raine's pocketed scarf set.
This is the first scarf I made for Nikki.

For Mikey

For Bill

Secret Slippers

Before and after slippers.

Knitted and felted in secret ;)

I was surprised at the difference is the finished size after being felted.

Two more for the shop

Rust bag

I am pretty happy with the way this one turned out.