'Maters everywhere...

The explosion has begun. In my garden, that is. I have tomatoes ('maters if you're from the south) everywhere. Also in my garden I planted cucumbers, yellow squash (I make a killer squash patty), Japanese eggplant, jalapeno peppers, yellow bell peppers (I think or they might be red) and onions. I *love* to play in my garden. I go outside every day and pinch the little "suckers" off the 'mater plants.

Shop News: It's here! The Nature's Palette Silk & Wool Laceweight yarn. Hand dyed from natural dyes by Darlene Hayes of Hand Jive Knits, this tightly spun yarn is a winner. I love it. I haven't been this excited about a silk blend yarn in a long time. This is the yarn that Clara Parkes gave such high reviews a couple of weeks ago on her site, Knitters Review. Clara is also author of the fabulous book, The Knitter's Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn.

We also have some great lace patterns to compliment this fabulous yarn. For beginning knitters to those who love a challenge.

Gone But Not Forgotten

Andrew Stanford Blount
Born and Became an Angel on May 9, 2008

When Rebecca went into labor Friday morning, I literally hopped around my office in excitement. It was the day we had been waiting for, and even though it didn't end like we thought it would, it was still a day of celebration.

When Rebecca arrived at the hospital, she and her husband learned that Andrew had no heartbeat. He had passed sometime in the 2 days before.

Out of heartwrenching sadness has come joy and love. As Rebecca and Billy's family and friends came together during that week, new friendships were formed, old ones were healed, and relationships were enriched. Little Andrew has changed us all, and we love him more and more everyday.

The Blounts wanted the memorial service to be a celebration of Andrew's life, so I made these Fairy Godmother Pins (I'll post the pictures tonight) for myself and the other 2 FGMs (as we're calling ourselves). All Rebecca could say was "Oh oh, those are perfect. Those are perfect." The whole day was perfect- we celebrated Andrew and his parents, laughed about Rebecca's pregnancy, cried about our loss and ate lots and lots.

Rebecca and Billy have been the epitome of grace and humility through out this experience. I'm humbled and touched by how they have let this strengthen them and not tear them apart. Chris and I are lucky to be called their friends.

I will always remember my first Fairy God Son, and he will always have a special place in my heart.

Blocking ... ?

I thought I would show the progress on my Easy Flame Scarf, knit with Malabrigo Laceweight in Dusty Olive. Gorgeous yarn and a restock is in at The Yarn Grove this week. This pattern is free on Knit and Tonic's blog .

Now my question is, how do *you* block your knits? What I am currently using is an apparatus that I bought years ago to help my mom block her needlepoint canvas. It is merely a ceiling tile (of some sort) and someone drew a 1 inch grid on white muslin and stretched it on the tile, stapling it on the back. While it is okay, it is hard to push the pins in.

So I'm curious... What do you use to block? Does it have grids or lines on it?

I've been spinning! ... but not with wool...

Yes, the old vertigo came back after being dormant for about 6 years. Last Sat. am I woke up in a real spin. All I can say is - it is horrible. Long story short, my vertigo is usually when I lay down then I spin for about 10 seconds and it stops. I had gone to an ENT 6 years ago who did this strange maneuver on me and poof! I was healed. I thought he was the miracle man. There is a name to this manuever as well and I can't remember it either.

I went back to another ENT (because I couldn't remember his name and picked a different clinic) and they think I might have some inner ear disease which has a name I cannot pronounce. The best news is ... it's gone! I know it could be worse. A friend of mine had it so bad she couldn't walk for 3 days. Anyway, I am back to my old self and glad for it.

Not too much knitting - but we did get some new Pagewood Denali colors in and also in their Chugiak. If you have not tried this yarn, you must. It is might nice. Also we are going to have a sale in our shop beginning Sat through Monday, May 10 - 12.





Still plugging away on my toe up on 2 circs socks and as I always do, have started the mate already. I know me and me would end up with single sock syndrome. This way, I alternate working on them. I am enjoying this 2 circular method very much. One set of needles is the Hiya Hiya stainless steel and the other is the Hiya Hiya Bamboo circs. I love them both.



Happy Mother's day to all of you moms out there, both of the 2 legged and 4 legged kind!

Knit Embellishments

Check out these simple instructions for this adorable knit embellishment! Imagine how far you could take it- you could even cover an entire baby sweater in these cute flowers!

Have ya'll seen the new Interweave Knits? GREAT summer stuff!

Ok, now I'll show you

Here it is ladies and gents! My summery, vintagey, flowery sundress- and entry to the ASG Creativity Contest. I used my Sublime Stitching kit to hand embroider the yoke, and the rest was a zip. Literally...I had to alter the pattern to include a zipper. The pattern called for stretch knits, but I made a few changes here and there to accommodate my fabric choice. Whether I win or not, I can't wait to wear it!

Sock love...

I am experiencing some new found sock knitting love. It all happened while talking out loud at my last knit therapy meeting at Noble Knitters. I was chatting with Phyllis who knits gorgeous socks. She was knitting the magic loop (which I have never learned... yet) and I said that I would like to learn it because I really am annoyed with the ladders I get on the 4 dpns I use. She said, "why don't you just knit on 2 circs". What an eye opener. Heck, when I cast on my toe up socks, I do so on 2 circs. Always have. Then I always *used* to switch to 4 dpns. Well, no more!

Here is where I need your help. I just noticed when photo-ing my new toe up Lorna's Laces new color - Edgewater sock on my too cool martini sock blockers from Scout's Swag that I can *still* see a ladder. Arrrggghhh. Any suggestions please? Does anyone else have or have had this problem? Maybe it will go away with washing?