Mmmm Cupcakes....

I tried a new recipe this weekend that a friend of a friend found in a Weight Watchers cookbook. You take a box of chocolate cake mix, add a 12 oz diet coke, stir and bake. These cupcakes were so moist and chocolately...and they didn't have eggs or butter! You have to try it. Sometimes knitters need little sugar.

I'll have a Naked Dog Walkin' ...

Oh wait a minute, I've got a Naked Dog Walkin'. My poor Junior. Went to the groomer last week and when I wrote on the groomer order form - short all over - I didn't mean short short I just meant short. He looks like a different dog but he is still precious to me!

So my husband and I have been calling him Naked Dog Walkin' which in Varsity terms ... a hot dog without chili .. to go. What'll ya' have they yell when you are walking up to the counter! Oh yeah, The Varsity. A landmark in Atlanta for the best chili dogs this side of Kansas. And while you're there, try the onion rings. Hmmm good. However, I don't eat hot dogs, only veggie dogs so I usually get a grilled grease, I mean grilled cheese sandwich. I crack myself up sometimes...

Here is a picture of my toe up Nature's Palette Odd Duck #4 and I am knitting the Feather and Fan pattern I got from Wendy of Wendy Knits. Check it out... Love it... So easy for my brain to remember... Slow going here because most of my spare time is spent working on our new website which is really coming along....

What'll ya' have? We got Cookie A Knit Designs coming in this week. Great sock patterns and also due in is Louet Gems Fingering Weight and Euroflax. Euroflax is 100% washable and dryable linen and the more you wash it, the softer it becomes.

So ask yourself, what'll ya' have? I've got a Naked Dog Walkin' ...

Earth angel...

I know there are Earth Angels - my daughter always told me I was her Earth Angel. Awww. (She's the angel!)

No, I am not trying to get mushy here or anything of the sort. But I did want you all to know that The Yarn Grove is going to donate a percentage of our net proceeds from Duet Sock Yarn sales to an Earth Angel named Bernie, who runs A Place to Bark and Meow. A Place to Bark and Meow is a no-kill foster and adoption animal rescue. You can read more about Bernie here at her blog. We first heard about Bernie after reading Vickie Howell's blog entry - subject "ears" for Noel (WARNING EXTREMELY heart-wrenching story) .


Just wanted to share that with you. There are so many Earth Angels...

Yarn Girls

The cutest yarn girls in the Rocket City if you ask me! This is my beloved knit and crochet club. We meet every Monday to laugh, cry, complain, and...oh yeah, knit.

On the far left, we have Becky. She's only been knitting for a few weeks, but you can see that the "blue blob" is actually beginning to look like a pot holder. We have great expectations for her. Next is Jill, president and knitter extraordinaire. She's working on the lacy edge of a beautiful skirt. Jill is always the first to try something new, and we look to her for advise and ideas. Next, you'll see the lovely and talented Lisa, who is a beginner in knitting, but a master of crochet. She's making cute little slippers. Next, is yours truly. Then, the lovely and talented Kari, who currently is suffering from a little knitter's block. Don't worry, I know she'll pull through. Kari loves trying new stitches, and is a scarf master. Last, but not least, we have Kim, the newest member of the crew. She just found out she's going to be an Auntie, so she's making baby hats like a mad woman. Not pictured is Rachel, our bride to be. She can knit and crochet with the best of them.

Well, this is us! We drink lots of espresso and get into all sorts of trouble. Sounds fun, huh?

Check out this video Jill sent me- super funny for knitters and crocheters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZcUjYpjKZs

The Bachelorette

For the past 3 weekends, Chris has gone out of town on business. The first weekend, I was too sad to knit. The next weekend, I was too angry to knit. But this weekend, well this weekend was just right! I watched Breakfast at Tiffany's twice, The Devil Wears Prada three times, and the entire 4th season of The Golden Girls, and I finished the "Frenchy Tank Top" from Interweave Knits. I made it from the wool I dyed with Kool Aid. I have a cute lacy cami I will wear under it. As much fun as I had this weekend, I was glad when my Hubbie got home this afternoon.

Is winter finally over? It was 70 degrees today!!!

Weather or not...

What a glorious day. The temps were just perfect today - bright sky - time spent with my daughter before she left on a jet plane back to Sarassooooooota. We had a great weekend with very little knitting time ... but worth every minute.

Goings on at The Yarn Grove - still working on our new website which should launch in a couple of weeks. Very time consuming but will be worth it for traffic reasons. We will keep you updated on that. 2 new yarns to be added to our line-up coming in very soon, thanks to all of your suggestions... I think you will be pleased.

Hope your weekend was as great as mine. Time to catch up on blog reading tonight as well...

My baby Dirlies ...

I still call her my baby dirlies ... Just because my daughter, Stephanie, is 28 yo today, she'll always be my baby girl... Yep, 28 years ago ... I felt strange... hmmm... never had a baby before so was this it? We're off to see the wizard - I mean the doctor.

He confirms my labor - might want to go to the hospital with your suitcase - this was at noon - and I asked him (okay, this was my first) if we had enough time to go home and get my suitcase... He just smiled and nodded... Fast forward ... A loooonnnnnggg afternoon passes by. They talk to me about an epidural and I absolutely refuse ... that is until about 9 hours later when I push the nurse button and say, "excuse me... You know about that epidural? I was just kidding about not wanting one"... Well, now, the joke is on me because it's tooooo late for one. ... 11:26pm my precious baby dirlies arrives...

She has grown into one super smart, compassionate, earth loving, animal activist, very funny, vegetarian , assistant controller of a large construction company, young lady. I am so proud to be her momma. And the best part.... squeee ... she's coming home tonight on a jet plane!

On a knitting sidenote.... just working on my toeup Nature's Palette, Odd Duck #4 socks and I am lubbing em!

Odd Duck and Xylitol and Junior .. oh my!

I have started a new pair of socks from Nature's Palette Odd Duck #4 which has always been one of my favorite colorways from Darlene. If you have never knit with Nature's Palette, you are in for a real treat. It is a tightly twisted yarn and glides right off my bamboos with the greatest of ease... Nature's Palette from Hand Jive Knits was the very first yarn we ordered when The Yarn Grove was evolving... And it is still one of my very favorites. Not only to mention that Darlene is such a neat fiber artist and I am looking forward to seeing her again in June in Ohio...

I have learned, as a new puppy parent, that when Junior is quiet or I do not see him in a scan of the room I am in, something is up. So yesterday, while working on our new website (yes we are building a new website which will launch soon) I was on the phone with technical support to walk me through a process I was having trouble with and when I hung up, I noticed the silence...

As I come around the corner, I see that Junior has pulled a huge pack of gum out of my mom's purse which was sitting on the floor and is chewing on it. He is having a grand ol' time. Now at this point, my mind is lighting up like a pin ball machine and I remember something about gum with something in it being not so good for dogs... So, you guessed it, I called my vet's office. I state only the facts (I left the part out where it looked like Junior was blowing bubbles) and the "new" girl there told me she knew chocolate was bad but had never heard about gum. I don't take this as an answer and ask her to please check with someone else there and call me back...

I decide to do my own research on Google and come up with the word Xylitol. Sure enough, xylitol is a sweetener which can be found in sugar-free chewing gum, candy and baked goods, and can be very harmful if a dog ingests large amounts of this. I cannot read the wrapper because he already chewed through it but I now look up the phone number to Wrigley's in Chicago- ring ring - Oh yeah, I get a live person. She wants my name, zip code, etc. but I told her I wasn't calling to complain - I just want to know if Xylitol is in this gum and "do you realize this can be deadly to animals". She informs me that only one of their gums has that in it and it was not the one my mom chewed - I mean Junior chewed - Why the heck didn't my vet's office call me back? Someone dropped the ball and I'll be having a church chat with them tomorrow about that when I take Junior to have his staples removed...

So calling all animal parents.... don't let your animals chew gum!

Twinkle!

Since I have a subscription to two different knitting magazines (one from Mimi and one from Jane) I never buy myself knitting books. On my last trip to Barnes and Noble, however, I saw a book I couldn't live without. Its called "Twinkle's Big City Knits" and every pattern is knitted with needles size 13 and larger. You know how I love the chunky! I want to make every single pattern in the book. There isn't a thing I wouldn't wear. I better run...I've got a lot of knitting to do!

Here's Two for Ewe!

Clever title, huh? Feeling a little corny right now .. I'm giddy with delight because .... drumroll.... my daughter, Stephanie, a.k.a. my baby dirlies, is coming HOME this weekend!!!! Yippee ! She is flying home from Sarasoooota Friday night. BTW, Friday is her birthday ... More on that later.

So here are my J-knits socks, knit from toe up (as usual for me) in colorway AC-141. The one on left is the heel flap-a-roo and the other is short row. Right now, I think it's short row heels for me... But I'm sure that will change again.

Duet Sock yarn is creating quite a buzz and we are thrilled to be carrying her yarns here at The Yarn Grove. There are only 2 other shops, I understand from Angela of Swell Yarns, that are carrying it. We placed another order today because the second shipment again flew out the door. I have heard from so many of our customers who are delighted with Duet. It is a DK weight and is scrumptous. I am getting ready to start a pair soon... So stay tuned...

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!