Meet Dr. Curad...

I have to share this story about Junior... or I guess about my husband...

If you read earlier this week about my Silky Terrier, Junior and his "d.a." parents, well the whole e-collar about killed us putting it on him. Soooooooooo, since my husband thinks, and this is the honest truth, that band-aids heal everything, he(a.k.a. Dr. Curad) decides to put a band-aid over the wound because "Junior won't be able to lick it and it will heal faster". Now, in the back of my mind, I'm thinking that the vet would have done that if the band-aid had these mystical powers.

Friday am at 6:30 I am looking at Junior's surgical site. Uh huh, it has now opened below the 2 staples. I yell for Dr. Curad and here he comes thinking there is a fire or something. I say, GET THIS BAND-AID OFF OF HIM. I AM TAKING HIM BACK TO THE VET and they will probably have me arrested for practicing medicine on this dog without a license.

Dr. Curad now tells me that he can't get it off. It's stuck because these are the new and improved ones. So we cut it down the middle and now my poor puppy has this band-aid dangling and off to the vet I go...

The vet looks at his wound, decides since he is already on antibiotics, it is probably okay. I quickly explained the band-aid - she looked at me - smiled - and said ... we have some stuff to get it off with... My poor Junior ... As I leave the vet for the 3rd time in a week, I look at the receptionist lady and say ... at this point, it's a parenting issue...

On the knitting front.... More Duet sock yarns arrived and are flying off the shelves. Check them out today ... Oh yeah, I have almost finished my J-Knits socks - one with heel flap and one with short row. So far I believe I like short row best...

Contest

Dear Yarngrovers,

Jane asked me to brainstorm some fun ideas for a yarn grove contest. Do any of these strike your fancy?

Kitty Couture Contest- best pet outfit or accessory (everyone loves posting pictures of their pets!)

One Skein- how creative can you be with just one skein?

Love Your Mother (Earth)- crochet or knit up something using recycled materials

Piece of Scrap- Empty out that bucket of scraps and free form it baby!!


Post some comments if you see one you like. Maybe we should have a contest to see who can come up with the best idea for a contest...


Speaking of kitty Couture...isn't my Mona just adorable??? Ok, off to teach my 3rd and final knitting class of the day!

Two more ... Coming up!

2 more socks ... coming up (pun intended). By golly, I think I've got it. I suffered so terribly by the SSS (Second Sock Syndrome) and felt I was wasting yarn (I hate to waste anything). So ... I decided to buy another set of needles and just do my version of 2 at a time. I am knitting with J-Knits SuperWash me Sock Yarn in colorway AC-141. Sock Blockers made by the talented Holly of Knitting Haven. She sells them and this is my second pair. Love them!

Only thing I'm stuck on now is if I like flap/ gusset version or Short row. So this pair will each have a different heel. Then I will decide. I love knitting on these Colonial DPNs. They are 5.5" long and as I posted before, I never thought I would not use my CPs. Try a set. They are smooth enough for easy knitting but just enough "bite" that your yarn doesn't slip off so easily... And they are inexpensive (I also love a bargain).

Speaking of inexpensive, we decided it was time to get our puppy dog, Junior, fixed. So I called our vet last Thursday and spoke with the receptionist to schedule an appointment. They know Junior well ... or so I thought. She said we can do it tomorrow(last Friday) - just have him here by 8am. No problem ... by the way, Melissa, how much is it? She said, and I quote, between $225 and $250. I gasped and said, and I quote, "Let me start over again. This is Junior, you know, 6 mo old Silky Terrier, 9 pound canine MALE". She said, of course I know ya'll.

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. The last time I got a pet "fixed" it was $69.00. No kidding. So I hung up the phone without scheduling an appt and decided I would price shop. So I did. Next place ... $205.00. Next place ... $210.00.. By this time, I was on the sofa trying to process all this. Oh yeah, I always adopt old animals! Cats and dogs, doesn't matter. Remember ? You've never had a puppy before ...

So last Friday, he went to the vet (our regular one, why change now) and got the ol' snip snip... Care instructions ... Watch for redness, swelling. Limit activity (Huh??) ...

Well, we had visitors over the weekend. Bowden and Molly came to visit and they had a big time playing in the backyard. Wow, I said to hubby, I sure am glad he is feeling better . So yesterday, I check his incision. OMG... What is that goop coming out ?? To the vet we go and sure enough, the incision was opened. 2 staples later and an E-collar ... we're home. Questions I got from the vet made me feel like a dumbass new parent again. Q -Did you limit his activity? Answer - yes, for a day or so but by Sunday when his friends came by, he felt great! Q - Did you take him out to potty on his leash? Answer - are you kidding me? he hates his leash - he just sits down ... He has the whole backyard to potty in ... We used to go outside with him to protect from the hawks when he was so little but now he goes outside alone.

This collar is killing me... It hurts me worse than him ... kinda like when my kids got the ol' jab & stab innoculations - I cried, not them... He is pitiful with this collar on ...

Kool!!!

You know you're a yarn-a-holic when your idea of a good Saturday night involves fiber, bamboo, and hours of uninterrupted knitting time. Tonight, I reached a new level of bliss. I guess you could say I dyed and went to heaven. Using lemonade, fruit punch, and lemon-lime kool aid, I had a blast dying some wool. I call the green one "Lime Light" and the pink one "Daquiri." I have 3 more skeins of wool and a dozen more ideas!!!!!

Meet Gladys

I love sheep. Actually, I am just a plain ol' animal lover. Doesn't matter. Love them all. So when we got in the pattern Felt Flock from Fiber Trends, a copy was mine. The cutest little sheep. Depending on the size needles you use and yarn, you get different size sheep. I used Water Chestnut in Mauch Chunky by Kraemer for her body and Licorice Snaps in Mauch Chunky for her tail, feet and nose.

They are a lot of fun to knit and I am sure they will multiply fast ... Gladys needs some friends...

Just me

This week seems like 2 weeks long and it is only Wednesday. Monday, I thought my 9 year old granddaughter, Halley has spinal meningitis. Monday was 1 week long and then we were in the clear for spinal meningitis but she was still in the hospital. Today is Wednesday and she is better and going home. What did she have? A headache and a high fever. So much for modern medicine...some things have no explanation...but we are one happy family here to have a well Halley back with us.

Now on to the yarn. We have Duet Sock Yarns at The Yarn Grove. This yarn is beautiful and fun. It comes with 2 yarns, one for the body of the sock and a contrasting color for the heel and toes. "Basic after-thought heel" sock pattern included with purchase. There are no dye lots and some colorways will never be reproduced the same way again, so if you see a color you like, grab it as it may never be again. This makes for great original socks that won't show up on half the knitters in your group.

Now on to the odd stuff. Odd stuff you say? Yes, when I really zone out for relaxation I make strange little things. Some pictures have been added below, below because I did not want to run anybody off by thinking this was a voodoo site. My 2 point protectors are my favorite. My grandchildren say they are scary. what do you think? Then there is my tiny yarn angel who has a special hat made from Lorna's Laces Layette. The two little bowls are what I use to count rows. (I made the little bowls with clay, such artistic abilities there) When I finish a row I put a bead in the red bowl...don't have to write anything down, or fool with a bracelet or any other contraption. These ideas come straight from my strange brain but it is fun to go away for awhile and just see what is created. How do you count rows? Any special method we might all want to know about? OK, lurkers, I know you are there because I have actually spoke with some of you and know you are live people lurking on my blog...take a chance, post, no one will laugh or put your comments on the nightly news. It's just friends here.

If you would like a discount at The Yarn Grove, go to Knitters Review forum and find our ad. This is the last day for the ad until March 1 so do take advantage of the discount code. We have other ads around the net with special discounts so be on the look out for us. The yarn pictured in the ad is Reno by J Knits. Gorgeous, huh

Signing off until next time....which Jane says is way to few times....she is the writer, I am the talker. What can I say

PS: I added a picture of a sock I am making with Lorna's Laces Layette. Thought there ought to be a picture of something I am knitting

A Pair

Done, kaput, finnisshhhed! The Lorna's Laces Shepherd Socks in Seaside are on the blockers. Just a toe up pattern using the Turkish cast on I learned and yo's, not short row heels. But I am going to try those on my next ones.

Speaking of sock blockers, Debby ordered us each a set of Sock Blockers from Holly at Knitting Haven. She is making them now out of plastic, which won't warp. They are great! The neutral color of the blockers allows you to really showcase your beautiful sock colors. I highly recommend them. I wear a size 10 but I like my socks tight and while I got a large, I am going to order the medium as well. Way to go Holly!

Currently OTNs is a Fiber Trends pattern we just got in yesterday. It is called a Felt Flock and they are little sheep! I am using Kraemer Mauch Chunky which felts great. Progress on those soon.

The only reason I will venture out today is orders to the PO. Otherwise, it's inside for me. I am not usually bothered by the cold but it is so cold here in Georgia. I know some of you are probably smirking and snickering but yesterday the high was 37. That's cold for this ol' Southern girl.

Sit and knit... that's what I will be doing ... of course, after my jaunt on the treadmill ...

8 minutes to spare ...

Happy Valentine's Day to all! And my Valentine's gift 26 years ago today was my bouncing baby boy, Christopher. Who only likes to be called Chris. Yep, he was born at 11:52pm on 2/14 and there were bets with the nurses and my doc as to whether I could do it or not. At 11:15pm, as they were standing around munching on cheese crackers that was so very annoying to me , one nurse said, ... no way ... and I glared at her and said very loudly (or maybe even screaming since I had no epidural), WATCH ME. And watch me they did.

As he grew up, he loved to tell all the girls he was a sweetheart because he was born on Valentine's Day. They all loved him. What a wonderful young man he has grown up to be. Happy Birthday my boy... Oh yeah, and he was born with the Clemson University Football Helmet and jersey on too. He bleeds orange! The second picture is he and his wife, Cheryl on campus.

On a knitting note, my girlfriend, Paula, sent me a pair of socks she had knitted with Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Gold Hill colorway which has been a hot hot seller for us. Scrumptous. Although the story is long, she sent them to me to take pictures because everytime she tried to load up to our FOG, she had everything ELSE in the picture except the socks. So she said a few choice words and decided to mail them to me to take my own pictures. Well, I wonder if she will miss them???

Kiss your sweethearts today and don't forget those 4-legged ones too!

A Little of This, A Little of That

I love books. I love all kinds of books. I must own 1500 books or more. Right now I am into knitting books. Just bought Barbara Walker's first and second treasury of stitches. Should have bought them sooner. There are so many different patterns that I could knit for years and not use them all.

I am also interested in books about William Bartram. He lived in the mid to late 1700's. William traveled all over the eastern coast of the United States, gathering plants, flowers and seeds to send to England for them to grow. Now this probably sounds boring but his books are published in his own words and it is interesting to see how one person's view of the happenings of the day differ from what our history books teach us. His writings on the American Indian are incredible and provide a great insight into the real American Indian. Not savages, but intelligent, gentle people who loved this land. I find his books to be spiritual in nature with a unique understanding of people. Well, enough about my hero, William Bartram.

Exciting things are going on at The Yarn Grove. We have new books which I can't wait to own. Lace Style with 21 inspired designs to get you going on lace knitting, Favorite Socks Book, with 25 patterns in a great spiral book that lays flat....and No Sheep For You by Amy Singer. A book of patterns for bamboo, cotton, silk, hemp and more but no wool.

Also, our Duet Yarns are on the way to The Yarn Grove. The colorways will have you wanting every one of them. Superwash merino dk weight, 350 yards which includes coordinating heel and toe yarn. Basic after-thought heel sock pattern included with purchase. Most colorways will not be repeated exactly so you will have a very unique pair of socks. I can't wait to make a pair and use my new sock blockers made by Holly at knittinghaven.com. Check out our sock blocker keychains that come with a pattern to make a tiny sock to fit on the sock blocker, socks for all seasons.

That is enough of my babbling for today. I am off to knit some ufo's so I can be ready to knit socks when the Duet yarns arrive

Bag of My Dreams!

Last week, I was scheduled for the opening shift at the coffee shop, which means I had to be there at 5am. Well, I survived the week, so as a reward to myself, I took a little trip to Thrift Mart, the biggest thrift shop in Huntsville (it also happens to be less than a minute from my apartment!). I found a few things, and I was headed to the checkout when something told me to go look at the pillows. I always trust the suggestions of the thrift gods, so I walked to the back of the store. There was nothing special in the pillow section, until I turned the corner and saw this bag. Its actually a bowling bag, and its so sixties, and so MOD....and its so my new knitting bag!

In other news, Spottie Dottie got skunked right in the snout last night. We soaked her in a solution of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dish detergent and got most of the smell out...but there's still a faint aroma right around her nose. We even had to flush her eyes with saline solution. Poor puppy. I mopped, disinfected, vaccumed, laundered and scoured the whole apartment last night. Mona, the cat, was completely disgusted with the whole ordeal and tried to run away this morning. Oy!

Am I really that Slow?

I guess you could call me a slow knitter but considering the fact that I am doing 2 at a time and add that to the fact that life gets in the way sometimes, well there you have it...

I am also auditioning some new yarns - one specific lineup - so am knitting swatches and trying those out. So far, so good! And we wait with excitement for our new books to arrive as well as Duet Sock Yarns!

It is supposed to sleet here this afternoon. Oh boy, the grocery stores will be emptied of bread and milk - but it is not supposed to stick. Me personally, wish it was spring. My daffodils are still trying to show their faces ... poor little things are so confused with the weather.

Enjoy the weekend, my friends ...

Granny Blobs and Knitters Block

Well, my adventure into crochet was not as life altering as I hoped. I couldn't find the patience to learn all the stitches. I did attempt a granny square...which looked more like a granny blob. My second attempt was better. Chris goes out of town in a few weeks, so maybe a few chick flicks and a bottle of wine will help me through crochet 101.

I've got a few knitting projects going, but I can't seem to get inspired to finish any of them. I've got a serious case of knitter's block. Somebody help!

My version of 2 at a time

So here is my version of 2 socks at once. Yes I start them on 2 circulars but end up on dpns. I decided that since I need 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces yarn I would start both socks and by the time I am done, wal-lah! I have a pair of socks. Oh yeah, in Seaside colorway.

Speaking of DPNs, we have some Colonial bamboo dpns in sizes 0 - 4. These are 5.5" in length and let me tell you ... they are my new favorite dpns. I NEVER thought I would knit with ANY needle for socks other than my 6" Crystal Palaces. But these are truly nice. And inexpensive. Try a pair. They are great.

So yesterday, Debby and I had our first annual The Yarn Grove Super Sunday Yarn Sale which we broke down into quarters. It was so much fun. I was in charge for the first "two quarters" and Debby handled the second half. Neither one of us knew what the other was going to put on sale so it was a hoot. Our phone was ringing off the hook because our website was so sluggish due to the amount of traffic, and our emails were full. Then poof! it was time to change again. It was a blast. Even my husband got involved helping me pack boxes. Thank you all, my friends, for all your participation. We enjoyed the party with you!

Coming soon to The Yarn Grove is Duet Sock Yarns from Swell Yarns, owned by a delightful fiber artist, Angela. We have no idea the colorways we will be receiving but I can promise you one thing, they will be gorgeous. We are very thrilled to put these in our ever growing line-up.

Good enough to drink... and dye

Many many months ago, I was fascinated by the prospects of dyeing my own yarn. So venture I did. I wanted quick and easy so I chose the Kool-Aid route. Armed with a buggy load of vinegar and unsweetened packs of Kool-aid, the cute checker-outer boy at the grocery store asked me if I was having a party. I said I was making Kool-aid into yarn. He looked at me like I was David Cooperfield's aunt or something.

I printed instructions from the web and began the journey into powdered abyss. I quickly became enamoured of all the cool colors I could make (and not make). The only color for me that was not successful was grape. Ugghhh.

In my backyard was a clothes dryer rack I had bought at the thrift store that quickly became my yarn hanger. And quickly is right . This does not take long. My ultra smart hubby made me a board with 2 posts - evenly set apart -so that I could wind the yarn back into nice even hanks. Of course, Debby had to have one too.

I dyed 100% worsted weight wool, cashmere and wool blend, lace weight (there is a secret to that) nothing was safe. I even overdyed some yarn that came out really crapola. A favorite saying of a friend of mine when I get over zealous about something is ..."Folks, she drank the kool-aid". And drank it I did.

I saw a couple of skeins turned into head turbans for the hospice I volunteer for and gave some skeins away to the nursing center ladies (and a gent) that I knit with. They loved it and even more loved the fact that it was "homemade". Now if I can just get my property rezoned so I can have my own sheep ... well that would be the sugar in the kool-aid for me!

Try it sometime. Would love to hear your experiences with different types of dyeing of yarns. I did try some cotton but we won't talk about that ultra disaster ... Lost a pot over that one ... I think I'll stick with the Kool-aid kid... We also won't chat about how much undyed yarn Debby and I purchased one time either. It's long long filed away ... Huh, Debby?

Do I Dare??

Tonight at knitting club, my friend Rachel brought in a vintage crochet magazine (oh how I love vintage magazines) for show and tell. Rachel is a master crocheter, and recently decided to try her hand at knitting...a week after she picked up the sticks she was making socks. Oh yeah, she is good.

As I browsed through the magazine, I started to wonder- What have I been missing?????????? Page after page of funky fun jackets, blankets, hats, dresses and bags. There is a sweater I must have. Seriously, I can not go on if I don't own this sweater. I will cease to exist. I'm afraid I may be "hooked"! Tonight I embark on a new adventure! Tonight I enter the wonderful world of crochet! Wish me luck!

Sometimes a Girl's gotta Twirl ...

And twirl I did! So, on my way out of the Post Office this morning for my second trip to the car to mail orders, I look down and for crying out loud, I'm wearing 2 different shoes. Now if that isn't bad enough, I gotta go to work. Work you say? Yep, I still work a few hours a month as a Human Resources Consultant with the company I was with for 20 years, mostly on an as needed basis.

No dress up needed today, so it was jeans and Crocs for my day. When I noticed my faux pas, I actually decided to draw attention to the fact that I was nuts . First, carrying the rest of the orders into the PO, there is someone holding the door for me. I say to the nice man, thank you ... and if I could bother you for a few minutes for my survey and ask you which shoe looks the best with these jeans, I would appreciate it. He threw his head back in laughter ... I continued in ...

Next on to my job... I walk in and there is the delightful security guard which thinks I'm a little whacked anyway. I sign in, catch the elevator to the top (even though "mine" didn't go there today) and walk out. Here comes Frank and he notices it right away. Now Frank has known me for 20 years so I allow him to take a photo with his Treo phone whatever thingie.

And so twirl I did. I twirled and twirled in front of all my friends - hoping for their approval of my new found style... Didn't work so much ... but we all got a good laugh ... Oh Janie Janie Janie ... I heard that more than once ...

What I learned today ... Twirling is much more effective when wearing a full cut skirt - similar to poodle skirt. Twirling does not have the same effect when wearing Chico jeans...

Has that ever happened to you?

On the Knitting front ... The Yarn Grove received in the brand spanking new gotta have it book from Interweave Press called Favorite Socks. As soon as we put it up, it was sold out! So more are on the way this week along with some other new ones next week! Check back ...

I like my sweater better ...

Junior says ... "where in the heck did this raincoat come from? My cousin, Lucy? Does that mean I am wearing a girl jacket? I don't care if you like it better than the sweater you knit me. I WANT MY SWEATER ..."

Cousin Lucy, Debby and Michael's doggie, gave Junior her outgrown bright yellow raincoat. Junior was not so crazy about it. He humored me though . .. long enough to snap a photo or two... He does like his Fiber Trends Doggie Sweater though, made from Lorna's Laces worsted.

I'm working on socks. Not much to report. Been feeling lousy the past couple of days and finally went to doc. I love this doc. I drop my drawers as fast as I can to get that antibiotic shot... No time to be sick ...

Shabby...yet Chic!

Here is the bathmat I made from an old flnnel sheet. It feels so good on clean tooties. I may add fringe...not sure yet. I ripped the sheet into 1 inch strips and sewed the strips together with a zig zag stitch on my machine. I used size 35 needles, because my strips were too big for the 15s I originally tried. Knitting this mat is relaxing because you don't have to worry about each piece being perfect. Shabby Chic, remember?

Just a few things

I made a hat without a pattern, just started knitting and picture shows what it kinda looks like. When you put it on it looks like one of those scarves that my mother used to fold in half like a triangle and tie around her head. This felted one I made is dorky looking but would stay on in a heavy wind. Two lessons I learned; 1. Don't put in washing machine with a towel; 2. Make sure there is not a piece of paper out of DH pocket in the washing machine. I don't think I can get all the lint off the hat.

Improvising: The picture is a cd holder that goes in the car. It is perfect for holding circular needles and dpns. It is hard to see but there are several elastic slots for cds but circulars fit perfectly. The slots are tight so things don't fall out. I love it!

Look at my new stash. I can't stand it, I am a collector of stuff and right now I am collecting yarn....can't have enough stash. Of course I got it from The Yarn Grove. The two on the left are Lorna's Laces Sport in Uptown and the other is J-Knits Sock Yarn in Kansas. Both are more beautiful than what shows here. Can't wait to finish UFOs and start on those socks.

Well, gotta go get ready for the State of the Union tonight. I'll be watching Keith and Chris on MSNBC

Debby

Thrifty Knits!

Chris and I love going thrift store and antique mall shopping on the weekends. Yesterday we spent about 4 hours wandering through aisles of dusty treasures, and made out with some serious deals. I found 5 old magazines from the 60's for $.25 each, and an old knitting magazine for $.10. I also found a supercool vintage crochet dress for $3. I racked up with a Singer Dressmaking Course Book from 1961 for $.25 and ten vintage sewing patterns for less than a quarter a piece. All these items will go in my shop, With A Twist, on Fashiondig.com. Chris bought 3 key pads from old pay phones and made magnets out of the numbers. He's so smart! (and handsome)

I also started a new project I saw on DIYNetwork.com, where you knit strips of grocery bag together to make a reusable bag. Gotta love re-creative projects!

Too fun ...

Well, I started and finished the Calorimetry from Knitty.com . It was a quick and fun project. When I saw Amy's, I put it at the top of my to knitlist. For mine, I used Lorna's Laces Worsted Weight in Black Purl, one of my favorite colorways from Beth! Only used a tad over 1/2 skein and I knitted on US size 8. I am a tight knitter BUT if I knit this again, I will use size 7's. Give it a try! If you need a gift for someone, speedy like, then this is the project for you!

Here is Lily Purl wearing the Calorimetry. And I might add, it would look so much better without her plastic hair ... but she loves it ...

Still working on my Jaywalker(s). Actually my mom (Mimi , that's what my kids named her years ago and we all call her that) had surgery this week on her nose ... again. She has basel cell and this is her 2nd MAJOR surgery on her nose in 10 years. She is such a trooper - never complains, unless she is really hurting. She basically lost her entire left nostril and some around it. They rebuilt it with cartilage from her ear and then "flapped" her cheek skin over it. All this while awake from 8:30am until 1:30. She did go to "Happy Hour" with a little valium or something like that so she was relaxed...

On the first surgery, they "flapped" her forehead skin so they had to use from somewhere else. I volunteered some of my "extra eyelid skin" but it was a no go. While she is extremely black and blue the only pain she currently has is her ear! Now get this ... they(the drs.) all agree that it was caused from when she was a teenager (mom is 80) and back then for clearing up pimples, they "x-rayed" your face. I feel she will do fine... She's back to knitting already!

So that's my excuse for not knitting this week. BUT we have some new cute felting patterns arriving soon ... and stay tuned for new books! As they are published, we will receive ...

PS. STOP LURKING ... Show yourselves ...

Bathmats, Bags, Birthdays and Beans

What a week! I have WAY too many projects going on right now. I started knitting squares for a bag and ran out of yarn, so while I was waiting on my order to arrive from the Yarn Grove, I started another project (of course!)
My best girlfriend, Brooke, as a birthday coming up so I started a scarf with super soft Misti Alpaca. I tried a Saxon Braid, but it didn't look right so I ripped it out. I decided cables were the way to go. No...still not right. Rip. You can never go wrong with a stockinette stitch, right? Wrong. RIP! I finally settled on a chunky rib stitch. It looks nice, and its very snuggly.
Well then I saw a pattern for a bathmat made from an old flannel sheet torn into strips, and I HAD to try it. Just my luck- found the perfect sheet at Thrift Mart! So now, I've got a basket of knitted squares, 4 inches of a scarf, and a living room covered in flannel strips, and I'm opening the Coffee Shop at 5am tomorrow morning! Ok, no more projects til I finish something!

Put a Cork in it

Did you ever hear that from anyone? Well, now you CAN put a cork ON it! The Yarn Grove has just received their first shipment of StitchCorkers. Shhwweeetttt! These are corks that you put on the end of your needles to keep your stitches from falling off! Too cool. We have them in 3 different sizes for different sized needles...

Also in, boy have I been busy, bent tip needles, and most fun of all, DOUBLE POINT NEEDLES in 5.5". We have had so many inquiries about these and here they are! Now in stock US sizes 0 - 4.

New Sock Patterns from Chrissy Gardiner of Gardiner Yarn Works. Check them out! A delightful, work at home Mom from Oregon. Great designs. You can never have enough sock patterns, I mean come on...

Missing in Blogville are my 2 Blogging cohorts. My partners in crime, Debby and Cheryl. No clue. If you see them lurking around, would ya send them this way? Hells bells, they are probably sitting around knitting while I have been slaving over these new products ALL DAY (well not ALL day but some of the day. ALL day sounds better than some of the day). Hope they have some goodies to share or talk about!

Just a little "stick out" now...

Well, here it is... One finished Hundertwasser from Opal #1432. Have I started the mate, you ask? Oh lawd, of course not! But I finished one ... This is just a toe up using turkish cast on. By golly, I think I've got it! Remember how I have struggled? Well, thanks to all your emails and private suggestions, hints and tips, I might just have it. Still have a little "stick out" on the heel but am working on that.

So many exciting things going on at The Yarn Grove. New yarn in soon, new sock patterns up soon, just keep checking the website. We'll post all newness (check Websters for that one) as we progress on photos, etc. We'll have some new accessories in soon as well and we are very excited about that ...

As I sit here writing this post, I am aware of the tv news in the background. And being the news junkie that I am (Fox News, thank you very much) I am thrilled the Missouri boy was found alive. Can't wait to hear Greta chat about it tonight.

I zig, then I zag!

I have had a hankering to knit the Jaywalker socks from Grumperina for the longest time.

The Yarn Grove just received the latest Opal sock yarns - Feelings. Bright, fun colors. Here is a photo of my beginning sock, using Opal Feelings sock yarn #1702. I am so used to doing socks from the toe up that the first photo I took of this was upside down!

Look early next week for some new organic yarn we are adding to our line up! Also, more Elmore-Pisgah to replenish all the colors that have sold out ... again!

Short and sweet ... that's it!

Pitter Patter!!!

Just finished these precious felted booties for my dear friend Angel who is expecting her first baby sometime in April. I'm adding pearl buttons if its a girl and little wooden buttons if its a boy. I used Mauch Chunky Wool by Kraemer Yarns. The color is called Jelly Bean. I found the pattern in Vogue's Encyclopedia of Knitting. It was quick and easy, and I only used about 1/3 of the skein...guess I'll have to make more!

Felt oh great one ...

First of all, we have a new member of The Yarn Grove Antics ... Her name is Cheryl and she is my DIL. Let me brag on her for a minute...

She is super crafty - graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Costume Design. Cheryl has been knitting for about 3 years and has begun her own "knitting circle". I am thrilled to have her join us here!

I have finished the bag portion of the Rose Felted Bag from SWTC which is free with purchase of any skein of SWTC yarn. I saw this bag in person when The Yarn Grove received the Trunk show from them. I am knitting it in Karaoke which is 50% soysilk, 50% wool and felts like a DREAM... The color I am using is Rustica ... Here it is in its pre-felted form. Stay tuned for more.

Oh yeah, and Happy Knitting New Year to all of you!

Free People

Now that Christmas is over, I'm going to do some knitting for me! A bag, a vest, perhaps some slippers...hmmm. Whenever I'm gearing up for my next big project, I always flip through the latest Free People catalog, which today happened to be the holiday issue. Be still my heart! Chunky hats, funky mittens, and a bag I must must MUST have! (Please see above...by the teddy bear) Instead of Fairisle, I'm going to use Lorna's Chunky Revelation in the Watercolor, which I picked up at my last VIP visit to The Yarn Grove. I think I can get the same effect as the patchwork fairisle...stay tuned to find out! While your waiting, get inspired at www.freepeople.com.

Hello World!

Greetings fellow stitchers! Jane invited me to join The Yarn Grove's blog spot...yet another benefit of marrying her only son. I've been knitting for about 3 years now, but I'm not quite as adventurous as Jane and Debby. I like short, fast, instantly gratifying projects made with chunky yarns on big sticks. Maybe the new year will bring patience. My kitty, Mona, likes to help me knit whenever she can. Here, she is helping me unravel a ball of yarn that later became Mimi's Christmas present. She's also been known to chew on a bamboo needle every now and then.

Oh for the love of Hats!

Final knit gift .... Done! A kids cabled hat made out of .... yep you guessed it... O-wool! In Evergreen. It is for a 4 year old and I know he will love it. Actually, Debby was here yesterday and she tried it on and it almost fit her. Hmmm, there is a reason besides the "shoes" that her grandkids call her Minnie ...

Speaking of hats, "The Book" will arrive shortly so check our website next week. The Book being the Karaoke Hat Book from SWTC that Debby has a pattern published in. Great book with some fun great patterns ..

More baking today. Yesterday I made 3 doz Oatmeal/Raisin cookies (woo - I am safe from those) and 7 doz. Peanut butter cookies (hidden from myself). Today maybe some Scotcharoos (glorified Rice Krispie treat) and some obscene choc. chip cookies that are my dear hub's favs.

Let me take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. May the magic of the season fill your hearts. See you in a few!

Oh Mr. Pieman, how I love thee!

So many of you have asked me if the only thing I do is knit ... I take that to mean as my hobby? Because I do run the household here with an iron fist (I hear Debby laughing now) ... Of course, I quilt as you have seen by some of my pictures - although it is MY version of quilting ... you know that random kind where sometimes the seams just are random instead of together? I see some of you nodding your heads! This was a very fun one which are the only ones I do. Really different fabrics, retro fabrics, etc. This one had a barrage of different funky. quirky fabrics that I used for the piano key border. Actually funky, quirky is pretty much how some of my friends describe me .... of course with a smile ...

Above is a picture of my finished and self named, Mister Pieman. Lots of hula hooping and really crazy far out peace sign loving people... This was a gift to Stephanie. It was intended to be a wall hanging but she may use it for a lap quilt.

Yes, I do more than just knit. I love preserving memories aka scrapbooking. More on that another day.

Well, yesterday, ding dong went the doorbell and I knew it was the UPS man. Oh yeah, another shipment of J. Knits fabulous hand dyed sock yarns. Scrumptious, delicious and gorgeous. This shipment included replenishments of some of your favorites as well as Superwash Me - Light Sock Yarn. Each generous skein is approx. 550 yards and is 100% merino wool. Check it out. I have my eyeball on several but refuse right now until my Hundertwasser is done. (Notice that is NOT plural). So there you have it.

Tomorrow is baking day again. My daughter will be leaving on Friday (boo hoo). I have enjoyed her so much. The holidays are here ... the fire is roaring ... I am knitting ... just one more hat ...

Meet Fifi

Meet FiFi on this her first public debut! Fifi is a retro poodle bottle cover made in Elmore Pisgah cotton from the book, Simple Knits with a Twist by Erika Knight. She was so much fun to knit .She is mine. No gifting out of this one!

As for knitting projects, just have two in progress. One is the O-wool hat which is coming along nicely and the other is my Hundertwasser sock(s).

Gearing up for a boatload of people this weekend... Well, maybe just a small canoe full ... my daughter and her fiance, my son and his wife... I'm gonna squeeze them all until ...

Stay posted at The Yarn Grove. We are expecting new yarns and colors in any day now. ..

Debby, you went and Dippity Doo'd it!

Debby accepted a challenge from Jonelle of South West Trading Co. sometime back. Jonelle decided to have yarn shops from around the globe participate in a Karaoke hat book. All Debby had to do was make up a hat pattern with some Karaoke. (Debby's hat is on the left)

Now, if you don't know what Karaoke is, it is NOT singing Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf at your local pub, or bellying up to the bar and listening to your best friend sing some rendition of a song that makes you order another Red Snapper ... Karaoke is luscious 50% soysilk and 50% wool and happens to felt like a marvel as well. Debby chose Dippity by SWTC and the journey began. I can't tell you how many times I heard ... I don't know about this ... oh my gosh, this is so hard for me... I told Jonelle I would do it and I'm not backing out now ... I don't know how Amy does this ... (Amy Polcyn who is a dynamite designer and has had many patterns published - great blog too). I don't know how Anni does this either (Anni from Anni Designs in the UK -beautiful knits)...

One thing about Debby is she is one determined gal. She kept at it - even though it caused great "brain pain" at times! And I might add I am mighty proud of her - and the book is Fabulous! In yarn shops soon.... Some great hat designs in there - both felted and not.

Way to go my friend ...

Color, Glorious Color

I have started on my Hundertwasser sock from Opal. I am very pleased with it so far and am doing quite well on the toe up. Right now I am beginning the heel flap. Have a couple of other projects I am blocking for gifts so can't show those just yet. But one of them is made with O-wool Organic and might I say again, that is fabulous yarn!

Check back next week because we are hoping to get a couple new shipments of goodies in...

Today has been a very interesting day in my home. First of all, for all Christmas' past, I have always been the one to decorate the outside of the house. Yes, that is right, me. Now I have always used those tiny white lights that just twinkle at the first sign of darkness. This year my husband decides he is going to get some of those old fashioned colored C-9 lights that I call big honking lights. All day long he carefully hung them all over the front of the house, up 4 large pillars and across the double car garage and into the bush.

Not to be outdone, I decided to add to the spectacular show. We now have some of what I call, Jane's big ass lights in the front. It looks like Candyland. They are a giant size C-9 light bulb, approximately 2 feet tall and line the walk way up to the front of our home.

I feel like I am in a scene from my all time favorite movie - Christmas Vacation - I have seen it so many times, I quote it... So it is almost dark ... and I my blood is pumping ... my husband is outside as I write this ... I better go... I think he needs a drumroll...

Ahhh, Kaffe Fassett

I have the pattern book by Kaffe Fassett & Zoe Hunt called Family Album, More Glorious Knits for Children and Adults. Stunning sweaters and such which are works of art. Kaffe learned to knit on a train back to London from visiting a Scottish wool mill - armed with 20 different fabulous colors of yarn and some needles. His very first design was featured in a full page spread in Vogue Knitting.

Knitting is an art and Kaffe Fassett has the gift. It is shown in his knitting creations as well as his fabrics. I fell in love with his fabrics sometime ago and just wanted to show one of the quilts I have made from Kaffe Fassett collections... The pinwheel quilt I made for my daughter last Christmas and all the fabrics were Kaffe's.

If you love color and unique knitting patterns, check out Kaffe's designs...

Why don't they know what I mean?

Well, tomorrow morning, The Yarn Grove will be on our way to Marketplace.

So, I am a casual dress person - Chico's is my favorite store. I wear their jeans all the time and on my feet ... for 2 years ... are Crocs. I do have a favorite pair of "slides" that go with my favorite "butt pants" (that really is the name of them from Chico's) but they are flats.

I enjoy "dressing up" once in a while, however, it has been a long time... I mean - really dressed up. Tomorrow night is a black tie preview and all vendors have to be open from 6:30 - 9:30 . So, outfit set but oh my gosh, what am I going to wear on feet? And panty hose? You've got to be joking... Here I go this week shopping and I start trying on "heels". That was a hoot! The nice lady brought me several pair of black heels in various stages of height. But then ... I found them ... Excuse me lady, but how much are these Brightons? $165.00 but "they are made with real Crocs". Whoa - my crocs are plastic - I see - she means the Crocs with teeth. Forget that - I don't support those Crocs on my feet.

So I ended up with a pair of heels and this is going to be a riot. These shoes are so pointed that they will arrive in the room AT LEAST 33 seconds prior to the rest of me!! I am not kidding . Next - to the pantyhose dept. Holy moly ... Here comes another nice lady. 'Can I help you'. Yes m'am, I am just looking for pull ups. She said pull ups? Now, I am known for not calling things by their right name but didn't she know I meant Knee Highs? I'm not wearing full blown pantyhose. Oh no, I only want the pull up kind! Heels and pull ups - that is as far as I can go! With a smile on her face, she brought me some Spanx "pull ups".

Marching on ... in my high heels that are non-adjustable ... and I hope I don't kill myself in them ... we'll talk later ...




I promise to take pictures