It's a bird, it's an owl, No it's a Hawk

At first, from quite a distance I was excited to see an owl. Then I got out the camera and zoomed in as close as I could.....
And discovered it's a Hawk (I think).


Finished a pair of Socks for January


I call them Wine Spills, as the pooling looks like someone (probably me) spilled wine on them.
Pattern: Queen of Cups by Nathania Apple
Yarn: ShiBui Knits Sock yarn in color #229
Needles: One US1 circular needle, two at a time
Notes: I did the cuff as a k1 x p1 ribbing. The pattern is great fun to knit. I never got bored with them. All in all a cute pair of socks.

It's a Secret

Max at 18 weeks old.

Max at 11 weeks old.
Can you believe how much they grow in 2 months? He is already almost 3 times as big as when we brought him home. But he is certainly handsome! He is a joyful addition to our family. And after having made leaps and bounds with training him, he seems to be fitting in wonderfully. He has a wonderfully strong personality which really shows when he is trying to figure out "where he stands" with everyone. But once established, he has been fun. He is even calming down a bit now, where the girls can (finally) hug him. Funny how we think the puppy is so cute and cuddly, and all the puppy wants to do is bite play as though you were another puppy. Now at almost 20weeks of age, max still likes to mouth, but he also likes to be rubbed and cuddled.

He has adopted Catherine's bean bag chair as his own.

And he love Sam Adams....well the heavy cardboard boxes anyway. Just like children, boxes are his favorite toy.

And here we have the secret. I am designing a cardigan. Love this patterning! And the yarn is gorgeous as well. I have gotten requests for me to write up the pattern for my Blue Cardigan, but instead I am going to create a brand new one. I will post details in the future. Right now, this is just a tease.

Snakes & Ladders Test Knit

Pattern: Snakes & Ladders by Ann of 1 More Row which I had the luxury of Test Knitting.
Yarn: Woolen Rabbit Harmony sock yarn in Neptune.
Needles: One Knit Picks 40" circular in size US1 (2.25mm)

This pattern is fun, simple and easy to memorize. The socks are so very cute and fun to wear. The yarn is so soft and luxurious.

I did 5 repeats on the foot and 4+3rows on the leg and I certainly could have done more. I ended the snakes in the “middle” so they would flow nicely into my k1, p1 ribbing.

Thank you for sharing your pattern Ann, I had fun knitting them!

Happy 2009!

I am so excited to start a new Knitting Year! I have so many lovely yarns I am itching to knit up!

But first I want to take a minute to share some Christmas knitting photos and recently completed knits.
First up are some happy recipients in Canada of some thorpes, stripes and mittens.
Next up are some Christmas knits for my Mom, one pair of socks somehow did not get photographed. Mom, please send me a photo of your blue jeans socks? These are the Best Friends sock, made specially for Mom!
This is the Swirls Hat, being modeled by Catherine.

And a gorgeous soft pair of mittens knit tip to cuff, of my own design.These are the Embossed Leaves I finally got around to knitting. They are simply gorgeous in a wonderful yarn called Earthly Hues (a gift from my far away knitting buddy, Christy)
And these are the Up-Down Spiral socks from IK's Favorite sock Book. I used left over sport weight yarn to make these and they fit Catherine perfectly (with a little growing room). She loves them and has not taken them off, except to sleep.

What am I up to now? I am doing a test knit of a lovely sock pattern "Snakes & Ladders" by Ann in Australia. Isn't the internet just amazing?!?!
And I am knitting the sleeves on the Shalor sweater by Penny Straker, for my Husband.

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. :-)