Winter is here!

Puppy is so cute with the snow deeper than he is tall.It feels like it was just yesterday when I last blogged. I can't believe it was more than a fortnight ago. Time flies when you have a new puppy!!!!! Well, we now have an amazing amount of snow for our area. I can't compare to the lake effect snow that some places get, but this was still significant. About mid afternoon on Friday it all started and didn't stop till this evening. I havent' measured nor gotten an official statement, but if you look at the back deck it is at LEAST 18 inches deep!

This poor tree, drooping in the weight of the snow.
And this tree is completely covered.

I did however finish one pair of socks this month.

Pattern used:Cleopatras Stockings from the Blue moon Rockin' Sock Club
Yarn:Cherry Tree Hill supersock in Wild Cherry
Needles:US1/2.25mm
Notes:I could have gone further on the cuff, I had more yarn, but they were getting too long for me. Love this pattern, it is a lot of fun. The first time I made them I followed the pattern completely, this time I opted to do a basic Toe CO.

Lots of Dog, little knitting...

I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

Pattern: Twisted Tulip Socks by Chrissy Gardiner. Interweave Knits Spring 2008
Yarn: Sugar Bunny Boulevard Superwash Sock in Daffodil
At this age, knitted socks and puppies do not go together! LOL

I can't Believe it....

We got a dog!
I have a feeling he may be interfering with knitting for the next few weeks or so, but he is so darn CUTE! His name is Max. He is really sweet, calm (in puppy terms) and just wonderful. I have been putting off getting a dog for years, but somehow last night I caved. I mean, just check out those gorgeous eyes. I think they would get anyone to cave.

Have a wonderful week filled with smiles!

Thorpes & Socks

Pattern: Thorpe by Kirsten Kapur
Pattern Source: Through the loops!
Yarn: Louet Riverstone Bulky
Great fun and a fast knit! Girls love them. One for Sarah & one for Catherine

Pattern: Thorpe by Kirsten Kapur
Pattern Source: Through the loops!
Yarn: Boku
Great gift items for friends in Canada!

Pattern: Mad Color Weave by Tina Lorin
Yarn: Socks that Rock in 24Karat (medium weight)
Needles: KP Harmony circular in US2 (2.75mm)
Love these socks. They are comfy, cushy and warm! They were a quick learn, so TV knitting was good, and that's how I finished them up so quickly. And they are "oh so cute".

Happy Halloween!

Happy Cleopatra and a Southern Belle.

Recent Knitting Accomplishments

Pattern: Maelstrom by Cookie A.
Yarn: Socks that Rock Lightweight in Valkyrie
Needles: US 1 (2.25mm) two at once magic loop
They are a little big on the leg, but I love them!

Pattern: Lyceum Vest by Ann S. - this is the back panel only, and it is slated to be a Christmas gift (shhhhh).
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky in Mauve
Needles: Denise circulars in US10 1/2.

Pattern: Dragon-Skin Wrap by Angela Hahn.
Yarn: Berroco Comfort - This is an amazingly soft yarn and believe it or not, it blocks pretty well. This pattern was written for a bamboo yarn, and the bamboo would certainly give it the drape it needs. Although the substitute yarn worked OK, it is not ideal.
Needles: Denise Circular US8

I hope Catherine Loves it!

ps I did finish a pair of mittens but they are for Mom for Christmas, so you'll just have to wait to see a photo. :-)

Lovely Fall Day!

A wonderful nature walk at Gates Pond Reservoir.
Click on collage to view full screen and enjoy.

I hope everyone is enjoying their respective Fall/Spring!

More Socks

I really need to knit some sweaters, hats and mittens, but the socks keep getting in the way.

Pattern: Francie by Rebekkah Kerner of Bowerbird Knits
Yarn: Shibui in Chinese Red
Needles: US1 circular
Lovely pattern, filled with 2x2 ribbing, increases and decreases creating a cozy shaped sock.

I really have to tell you about the current Mystery Sock. If you enjoy mystery socks, you should join this one. It is lovely. There is a plain version (not really too plain) and a version with a wandering cable incorporated into it. I have chosen to do the cabled version with a sport weight yarn and it is such a fun knit.
Kirsten Kapur of Through The Loops is a lovely designer and has started a mystery knit along through Ravelry. If you are interested, you can find the group here.

This is my sock after 2 clues. One is a side view and the other is front/back view. Depending upon the number of stitches you choose to cast on, the look changes a bit.

Maine in October

A Weekend Away!

My husband and I got a wonderful weekend away in Maine. It was a most magical time, the weather was gorgeous, the accommodations perfectly acceptable, beaches fantastic, shopping galore (Freeport & Kittery) and the companionship cannot be beat!

Of course the first thing I had to do upon arrival was step out on the deck and call my children. My most generous and kind Mother was watching them for the weekend so Gwyn and I could get away. Everything was just fine, now on to all the fun.

Another view from our room.

Me at the beach proclaiming, "OK so the water IS cold!".
(oh and sporting my new jacket and shoes)

And finally some lobster! It was too funny, the first restaurant we went to says "Sorry we are out of lobster tonight". Are you kidding? We are in Maine!!! By Sunday, as we were traveling South toward home I saw a sign "Lobster Pound", and I yelled TURN! What a good find. Delicious. Then in Kittery we found a place to buy fresh Lobster at a killer price, and we brought home one for everyone for dinner. Yummy!

In Kittery we found some everyday dishware the we really needed. The old set was broken and mismatched, it is time to bring in some new.


Oh and will you look at that, since our return I have found the time to finish a pair of socks...

Pattern: Cloning Anemone Rib
Yarn: Rockin' Sock Club kit 2008 Tide Pooling by Blue Moon Fiber Arts
Needles: KP Harmony US1 (2.25mm) 32" circular

A Non-Sock Swap

Christy and I have been chatting back and forth for quite a while now.
And we talked of doing a sock swap, but neither of us was very comfortable with actually parting with our hand knit socks, so we decided instead to do a yarn swap and then a knit-along.

As we chatted back and forth I really got to know her and had such a blast with this swap.

Look at the goodies in my box!

Wonderful Teas! - Christy is a tea drinker and has shared her favorite teas with me.
Home Made Whole Wheat Bread - YUMMY! Need I say more?
Gorgeous Red ShiBui sock yarn to make the Francie socks together.
Home made sock blockers! WOW! Her DH took the time to custom make these blockers, I'll bet they'll work better than the cardboard cutouts I have :-)
Pattern books with some lovely patterns. Lots of summer tanks, which I will certainly enjoy making along with some sweater patterns too. There is a gorgeous white sweater that is tempting me to frog my current project and make it instead!!!
A really cute note to go with each item AND
A gift certificate to the Loopy Ewe.

Here is another photo, I just had sooooo much fun receiving this package and then photographing it. The bread was so yummy it is already 2/3rds gone. Just enough for tomorrows breakfast.
Thank you Christy for such a thoughtful package and for sharing some of you in the process!

And of course I just HAD to use the blockers. These are some test knitted socks I made for my daughter, so they are kindof squeezed (stretched) onto the blockers, but they work Great!

Spring Pools

My new passion has become designing my own socks. It is more difficult than it looks, but the final product is reward in itself.

Pattern: Spring Pools by Linda Fisher
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Peach
Needles: US2 (2.75mm) Knit Picks Harmony circular needles
Construction: Lots of fun with something to do every row.

I love these socks.
You might remember these original socks done in Cherry Tree Hill SuperSock Merino with different colored toe/heel/cuff. These are so cozy comfy and warm.

This is my second pattern published, although it is my first pattern design! I put alot of work into this pattern and have even had some wonderful test knitters!
Christy and Tammy. Thank you so much for your support in publishing this pattern!
I hope you all will give it a try and let me know how you enjoy it.

Here are some comments recieved:
“I tried the sock on and I really like the way it looks! The foot part was the challenge for me since I’ve never done toe up socks before. But your pattern was easy to follow and now I feel like a pro! I love the way the toe looks!”

“The pattern is quite fun with stuff to do every row. No sleeping on the job here.”

My First Crochet - Giovanna's Cardi

It was Sarah's turn for a handmade sweater.
I saw this pattern printed and on my desk and remembered that I had printed it quite a while ago. Yesterday I was up to the challenge of trying something brand new. Thank goodness for online info!

Pattern: Giovanna's Cardi from Lion Brand
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Worsted in Blush
Although this yarn is so yummy soft, I wonder if the crochet detail would show up better in a "stronger" yarn. I'll try again as this was a super fast knit, and I have 2 girls.

More Felting Fun!

Pattern: Knitting Basket by Lucia Tedesco

Yarn: Louet Riverstone worsted in white, pink, purples (dark and light)
Needle: Denise Circular US#10
What a fun knit. Just don't miss row 3 instructions, or you'll have to start again. LOL. I have been guilty of not reading ahead in patterns, but missing a line? That was a first!

Little Roses

I have caught the Designer bug now! Oh my what's next????

Pattern: Little Roses by Linda Fisher (that's me)
Yarn: The Jewell's Handmades Superwash fingering in Tea Rose
Needles: US1 (2.5mm)
Construction: Toe-up, two at once on one circular needle. Basic heel flap construction with a no wrap heel turn.
See side bar for link to pattern and PLEASE let me know what you think.
Note: This pattern has not been test knit, so please let me know if you run into any errors.
Thank you! and enjoy.

Baby Girl

Pattern: Ribbed Baby Jacket by Debbie Bliss

Yarn: Shine Worsted by Knit Picks in Blush
Made for my neighbor Allison who's baby girl is due in 2 weeks!