Snow!

Yes, folks we finally got snow!
Amy enjoys cruising around in the snow. More is supposed to be on the way on Monday.

We're planning a trip to see Penn State gymnastics on Saturday. They have a double dual meet with Ohio State. Looking forward to dinner at the Corner Room and a trip to the Creamery.

On the knitting front, completion is near on several items. The "Wear-as-a-Collar Scarf" is completed and it's around my neck as we speak. the Chenille yarn is worming somewhat, but it's a cool scarf and I'll make more of these. The Flower Basket Shawl is down to five rows, including bind-off. I just can't wait to block it out. Clapotis has been aging in the knitting basket. It's close to the decrease rows. And the felted slippers are in the basket, too. I think after FBS, the finishing of the slippers will be next. But what do I knit next!

I have several projects in the "back of my mind" stage. A faroese shawl made from left-over Red Heart. Three or four more pairs of felted slippers, another shawl, possibly Kiri. I want to order the Fiber Trends folder called Bathing Beauties. I have some round dishcloths I need to whip up for my mother-in-law. And I'd really like to make some socks -- some for me and some for my husband. And then the new Patternworks catalog showed up in the mail this week and now I'm all confused....

My brain

Your Brain is 53.33% Female, 46.67% Male

Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female You are both sensitive and savvy Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve

What Gender Is Your Brain?

Home Stretch!

Home stretch for my Flower Basket Shawl.

I'm down to the ten rows that make up the edging and the bind off. I added some red beads over the last 15 rows. I tried to take a picture of them, but it just wasn't clear. I don't believe I'll add the bead on the edging rows, but just on the points. I'm really anxious to block this out for the finished product.

Wear-it-as-a-Collar

This is the "Wear-as-a-collar Scarf" by Sally Melville from the Scarf Style book. I picked up three different yarns at WallyWorld over the weekend. Red Heart Symphony, Lion Brand Chenille, and Bernat something. It's going great! With size 10.5 needles, the drape is real nice. I'm hoping to be able to wear it indoors with various work outfits, but if it proves to be too warm, then I'll need a hat to match and some mittens.

Other weekend knitting consisted of the Flower Basket Shawl. I'm down to the edge rows. I added some beads. They're hard to see, but they add some weight to the edge. I'm still not sure they're worth the effort. Photo to follow.

Other than that, our big weekend snow storm was a real flop here. We just had sleet and some freezing rain over night then it zoom up to the mid 40's.

Westminister Fever!

So, did you see Westminister? I just LOVE to check out the dog show. We just have a BD (brown dog). At one time in my life I had a Bishon. Great dog! You can check out the winners from all the groups and breeds here.


Here's a close up of Clapotis in progress, really to show off the beaded stitch markers that I made. It was fun, easy, and pretty inexpensive. I'm amazed at all the beading choices are available. I just found the stuff at my local Walmart which doesn't have the largest craft department.

Blocking

Blocking makes all the difference in the world. Amazing. My Opera Scarf is complete and I blocked it yesterday. It really made the pattern "pop". I was so surprised how the wool stretched when it was wet. The blocking shows a boo-boo that I made very near the end. It's about 2-3" from the bind off. Some frogging is in order. Made with Lorna's Laces Shephard Sport.

It's Valentine's Day. I'm wearing a pin that my daughter made for me a few years ago. I tried to take a picture but it just wouldn't come out. Not much natural light considering that it's 34 degrees and RAINING. (ugh!)

Next up for knitting -- I'm finished a pair of Fiber Trends slippers for DH. One almost down and the other to go. I've got Clapotis nearing completion. (Photo on that and stitch markers tomorrow.) I guess socks will be next. I also have a felted bag that's floating around in my head.

I got the spring Interweave Knits on Saturday. The socks were interesting and so was the square shawl. The patterns were nice, but I didn't see any "have to make" sweaters. I was disappointed with the sock photos. The main element of the socks is a cable running down the side. But in the photo's presented, the cable is very elusive. Do they not get it that we want to see the knitted items, not the model!

Swift

I caught the end of "Antiques Roadshow FYI" tonight and they did a spot on scrimshaw carving. All the items that they showed were from private collections. They had knitting needles that were worth $1500 and the most amazing whale bone ivory swift that was worth $40,000! Unbelievable!

I've been bad

This blogging thing requires some discipline. I can't believe I've been so long without posting. I have been productive and I have thought about my blog. (That's got to count for something.) The taxes are done, filed, and we're waiting for the electronic refund. The flu is just rampant in our area. Fortunately no one at our house has caught it. My hands are about raw from all the washing, but hey, if it keeps the flu away, no problem.

I have one more repeat on Clapotis before I'm ready for the decrease row. I'm plugging away on my Opera Scarf. I'm hoping for blocking it this weekend. The felted clogs are still on the needles.

I made some really neat stitch markers over the weekend. I'll try to get some photos up on them. I had no idea about all the beading supplies that are available. I was also reading about the photo stitch markers done with shrinky dinks. Cool! You can read how to here.

Shawls on my mind

Another book came in through interlibrary loan. It's "Stahman's Shawls & Scarves." Excellent book! I have a bunch of left over Red Heart (gasp!) from a Cuff-to-Cuff jacket that I did as part of a knit-a-long from the Ample Knitters. (Best list on the net) Anyhow, I'm think Faoese-shaped shawl to throw on for the evening escort of my dog. (She gets escorted, not walked.) But what a great book. I'm going to have to add it to my wish list. In the meantime, I think that the first shawl in the book is what I'm looking for. It's called Fenna and it's a garter stitch Faroese shawl. Perfect.

I got to drop another stitch on Clapotis today (Wo-hoo!)