My b**t is getting kicked!!

I announced yesterday that my new sweater would be Rogue. Well, I bought this pattern from the same place (my hyperlink isn't working, sorry). It is called Celtic Cap. It has cables on it that I THINK will be simialar to those in Rogue. Well, last night I tried to co for the swatch in chart B. Holy Smokes...... I am so not a new knitter, but I can't even figure out from the chart how many st to co. This thing is kicking my butt!!!! I am gonna have to bring it to the Spin/Knit meeting to see if any of y'all can explain it to me. I don't think it will take much, just help me understand how many st to co. Of course in the mean time, I will continue to try to figure it out on my own. In the meantime, if any of you absolutely, fabulous, serious knitters out there have done the celtic cap from girl from auntie..... any advice will be SERIOUSLY appreciated. thanx. That's all I have to say bout that.


Do you remember the Cotswald/Silk I had in this colorway? Well, this is a bit of it spun up and starting to knit a Wooly Sheep Wrap from Knitty. I THINK it is going to look good (I am making one for each of my girls for Spring) once they are seriously blocked. The singles are extremely energized and since it is spun thick, it is kind of fuzzy already. I think it will look good, though.

The thing I really like about spinning, is playing with a colorway and doing different things to it (spinning wise) for different patterns. I am also thinking about doing another Calorimetry (knitty). BTW, I have sold one of the other Calorimetry's I have made. The young, barely 20 set, really like them. Not bad for this ole girl.

CELTIC CAP UPDATE: 2 hours later
Well, I finally just went with the whole co thing and wung it!!! Victory. It worked this time!!! Hallelujah!!!!! I am mostly thru the 1st cable repeat of the cap. Watch out ROGUE, here I come!!!!

Room Disaster

What have YOU done this weekend? Hmmm?

I can't remember the last time I really organized and set up a room the way I really wanted it. We actually got rid of furniture!!! An old press board, butt ugly entertainment center. Grandma's old TV from 1980 something or other and a nasty old butcher' block from some hotel that my mother talked them out of. Nasty. Full of gross bacteria.


So, the TV room was next after the playroom. We yanked out grandma's old carpet that was the color of these letters. It is out by the curb to be picked up by Rke City at some point. We now have beautiful hardwood floors that need to be refinished and polyeurethaned, but that is a whole nother project. I have banned all toys from this room as well. Just TV, knitting and computer activities here please!!


Here is Andy. My fabulous husband showing off his manly skills with a crobar (sp?) yanking up carpet tack strips. He got them all. He also used me as his other half to haul off the butt ugly entertainment center. That was a real gamble.... I am sure not as strong as he is and I was laughing with glee the whole time. Me laughing sure did not help matters.


So out on the curb, for less than 24 hours a TV, butcher's block, and press board entertainment center sat. When we got up this AM it was all still there. When we came home from church the TV (which only had a red picture) and butcher block were gone. By 3pm, Happy's came and asked if they could have the butt ugly item. Mostly happily and with gratitude, please take it.

I am really on a roll. Next weekend, I want the old, mildewy awniings to come down. Then prime and paint the faded pine paneling in the main entrance of our home (which is a pigsty). Contain the asbestos tile with ceramic tile (this might be a while). Install a/c in the house. Switch the girls to our room and us to thier room. WHeewwww. I am exhausted just thinking about it. And while doing this I must contintue to be wife and mom, teacher, cook, knitter and spinner.

As far as knitting goes, this weekend I have knit 50 stitches. Yes, that is right. Just 50 stitches. 2 rows in another Branching Out scarf from Knitty.

Here is the carpet that neither any of my more discriminating neighbors or Happy's did not want. Any takers out there? It is old, but I am sure has at least 10 more years of life before it is completely dry rotted.

I think you are getting the picture of my life. After 5 years of thinking and hearing, "Oh, you can't get rid of that, you might someday want it." I FINALLY started making decisions on what MY home will be like. It will not be like my mother's or my grandmother's, but mine. I have no idea what 'my style' is. Who cares???!!!??? I just want to be content with what God has given me and to be at peace. I like clean lines and zero clutter. You ask: Can you keep it up? Yes, with God's help, all things are possible.

So..... if this is a blog about knitting, spinning and family life, why are you going on and on about your house? Good question!!! My only answer is that I must get my house together. This house is a reflection of me and the state I am in. So, I am SERIOUSLY getting my act together. Internally, God has put me back together. The house is a reflection of what God has done and is continuing to do in me. AMEN!!! Clutter and dirt: Catie not good. Organization and clean: Catie doing OK. Y'all want to come over and see? You are invited, anytime. Thanx for reading this silly blog, but it means a lot to me.


I do have one knitting thing to talk about. My next sweater project. And that will be (drum roll please!!): Rogue. Any ideas on yarns to use or colors? Would love any and all input. God bless, catie

My cluttered life

I have had a busy day. No knitting and little to no school.

You see, I have been held hostage by my messy house for years. I have literally not known what to do with all the stuff I have. My mother and grandmother both quit housekeeping shortly after the birth of my 1st child and we went from having nothing, to 2 or 3 of everything. And I don't mean 2 or 3 of tupperware pieces, but FURNITURE!! It has been both a blessing and a curse. A lot of the things I have are antique, but they are not my style. People think I am nuts for thinking and feeling this way, but it is true. I don't know what my style is.


Finally, a dear friend of my came over and asked me why I didn't do something about it. Revelation. Joy is the 1st person who has ever suggested such a thing. Well..... I am like a new woman. I am sorting and organizing my way to freedom. I took a huge load to the goodwill yesterday and threw out 4 bags of junk (toys, etc....). I think I just needed someone to understand where I have come from, and support me in doing what I needed to get my house the way I wanted it, and not like my mother's or my grandmother's houses.


Now, I have seriously tackled the toy issue, though you would never know it from these pix. I have thrown out so many unloved toys, it is insane. It felt soooooooooooo good.

This is Maddy. She is the other reason for almost no school or knitting. She is ill. Poor thing. She has a fever of 100.00. Just enough to feel crappy, and she's not shy about telling you either. Thank goodness, my 5.5 yo fell asleep. You know a K is ill if they willingly go to sleep.

This is my goal. Look how uncluttered and neat. This is the school room that I just converted from the play room. From which all the unloved toys were flung.

Well..... Maddy just awoke and is quite flushed. Gonna give her some gingerale. bye. hope I get to knit or spin some today, but not looking likely

Should I be offended?

What kind of yarn are you?

You are Dishcloth Cotton.You are a very hard worker, most at home when you're at home. You are thrifty and seemingly born to clean. You are considered to be a Plain Jane, but you are too practical to notice.
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Dishcloth Cotton? Well..... I never.....

Born to clean???? You should see my house!!!!! I hardly know what to say. After I got the results of the quiz, my mouth hung open for a full 2 minutes. The blog I got the quiz from said that they were 'pure merino'. How lovely I thought. Surely I am at least Alpaca or Cotswald with a lot of sheen. But dishcloth cotton??!!!???

Disaster

What a terrible picture of me. That is my 1st thought. My vanity gets the better of me a lot. I still think I am a size 6/8 and 17 years old. It is always a SHOCK to see the truth. But this post is not about my body image..... It as about ARWEN!!

As I informed you a couple of days ago. I finished Knitting Arwen. Then, I ATTEMPTED to sew her together. My experience with sweaters is limited at best and with all the 'clever' knitting construction and, IMHO, unclear directions on how to put it together...... Let's just say, I could get the sweater on, but it looked strange. I don't even know what I did wrong!!!!

Well.......... I was fully prepared to live with her the way she was, but, I had put too much emotional energy into her. So, I thought I would go visit my friend Robin F. and see what she thought. I ended up NOT doing that and am glad I didn't inflict that on her because I went to my local LYS and found Brenda. She ripped out all my seaming and puzzled it back together. At first, Brenda thought it was my cast off that was too tight. However, I HAD SEWN UP THE NECK INTO THE HOOD. Zounds. I am so stupid. I had been prepared to rip out co's and re-co, but this was much easier. It took 2 hours just to pull it apart and figure out how it should be constructed. Then she pinned it in place and I went home and spent an hour and a half mattress seaming. The results were blissful!! Arwen is beautiful!!!!! I have never had a sweater her equal.

................... you'll have to wait for the unveiling tomorrow when dh can take a picture of it with me in it.

So now I am snug in my home wearing Arwen. Me and the kids have finished school for the day and room time is only 1.5 hours away. I need to find another project that has captured my attention like Arwen did. I had the best time with her.

Arwen

ARWEN IF OFF THE NEEDLES. REPEAT. ARWEN IS OFF THE NEEDLES!!!!!

I can hardly believe it!!! Yesterday at 6ish pm, I finished the last cable row of Arwen and began the kitchener stitch for the top of the hood. I have a confession to make. I don't know how to block OR put a sweater together. You see, that is why I knit sweaters in the round. No stitching up. Well....... Arwen is special, so I thought I would figure out how to do her right. Thank God for the internet.

I did a steam block with a wet towel and iron. I chose that method as I don't have the tools for the pin it out method. It worked OK, but I think I am going to get some of those cool T pins for another project.

Then, I tried the mattress stitch on my newly blocked sweater. %$#^%$#$^#@^%
It didn't work on my 1st try out, so I made something up for the underarm of one sleeve. The results were pretty bad. Back to the computer, this time with Arwen in my lap. I sort of got it, and it is beautiful. Like magic. You would think there wasn't a seam there. The wrong side even looked like the article pix from Knitty. I stopped last night at 10pm because I needed to figure out how to attach the shoulders to the back. It's not straight forward as the hood, sleeves, and fronts are all knit in one piece and I needed to go to bed.

So let's review...... reversible cables, backward co, kitchener stitch, short row shaping, blocking and mattress stitch..... I have learned a lot. Sorry no pix, I need to take a shower before church and no time with all the mattress stitching I am doing. I'll show you my pride and joy later, or maybe wait till after our Feb. meeting and keep all y'all in suspense.

Praise the Lord!!! catie

Holey Moley, I have got some holey socks!!!!

As you can see.... I need some new socks. My feet are freezing and due to my husbands German/Scottish frugality, the house is under 65 degrees right now. I am cheap as well, I hate buying things like underwear and socks. No one sees them really, YES, I know I am married, but he doesn't care (sorry TMI). I DO like to spend money on yarn though. Enter Noro yarn.



I could save money by buying cheap socks at Target instead of $22 on 2 skeins of Noro, but dh doesn't have to know that plus, I bought 2 skeins to make him some.



The wool is slightly felted (I think) and has color changes that morph easily into each other. The thick, felted single is plied with a nylon thread that morphs colors as well. *sigh* One of my feet is now encased in wool warmth. When dh got home yesterday, I had one holey sock on and one Noro Moccasin Slipper, ie. Liz Zimmerman. I took off both socks, and ooh la la....... The slipper foot was soooooooooo toasty warm, the other, well..... I need to hustle up on the other one. Got it on the needles and have 1 inch of the cuff done.


Here is the gorgeous bottom of the slipper. Kind of psychadelic don't ya think? I love them. My dh calls them 'happy' slippers. An old joke of ours.

Weaver's Web, New Bern, North Carolina

On my visit to mom, we stayed in New Bern, North Carolina. One of the few Dutch (?) colonies in America. We parked at the Tryon palace and I immediately went on the hunt for a yarn shop. Surely, in this quaint place there would be a yarn shop. Any boy, oh boy, did we find a yarn shop/weave shop/spin shop!!!!

Very friendly place!!!! The sales assistant was NOT as knowledgeable as I was (blushing modestly, I assure you), but not clueless either. She just didn't knit much, but was a weaver. She took her time, especially with my mother to find her just the right yarn. Mom does not choose quickly, but the nice lady was very patient and showed her many yarns until it was found.

I found TONS of Noro and was done. I knew what I would get!!! They also had floor to ceiling stacks of yarn. Probably 3 stacks, front and back each. A beautiful loft for classes and examples of so many things I soooooooooooo wish I could open a yarn shop. I would do it like this. With as many wide varieties of yarn as I could stuff into every corner. Not like our LYS, no offense.











Here is my Noro score!!! I got 4 skeins of silk garden, 2 in 2 colors for some of Elizabeth Zimmerman's moccasin socks. Andy picked out 1 color and I just have to tell you that the content of the yarn cracks me up. They are 45% silk, 45% kid mohair, and 10% lamb's wool. My manly, man husband is going to have some VERY soft slippers. They'll be kind of delicate, but the bottom of the slipper I will use a tougher yarn.

The other 2 skeins are a Noro I have never seen before. Something called Kujaku. Tough wool single spun with a nylon like thread. Already have some of this on the needles and I think it looks great!! I love the Zimmerman moc's.


Here they are!! That's all for now. Kids in room time and I NEED to work some more on Arwen. Almost done!! The sleeve is just about done and then I will cast on hood and that will be that. Except for blocking and assemblins.

Y'all be good!! Can't wait until the 1st Thursday in February!! catie

My Mother

Have you ever experienced roll reversal? I have. For most of my life, I have been a mother to my mother. It started when I was 16. I am now 35.

This is my mother. Her name is Mary Elizabeth. The best gift she ever gave me was the gift of knitting. I thought a lot about this and decided that this was her best gift to me (besides life). She taught me to knit when I was 6. I didn't really start to be a 'serious knitter' until my early 20's. But she was responsible for the knit and purl stitch.

I became my mother's mother because she is seriously mentally ill. It came to a crisis shortly after my father died and I got my act together enough to go to court and get control of her finances and person. It saved her from death and destitution. After that, we were estranged for 3 years as I needed to get some detachment and emotional healing myself. She lived in the care of my brother, but I took care of the bill writing and rebuilding of her finances.


This is was the best trip to see her I have had since going to court. She was lucid and pleasant. She has gained probably 25lbs this year and has multiple health problems. We found this knit/weaving/spinning shop called The Weavers Web. (I'll review the shop later).

Mom chose a natural colored alpaca boucle to knit a CO 3, K1 YO K to end shawl. I cast on the stitches and retaught her how to knit and YO. I am not a writer, so I can't capture in words how it felt in that moment, with all that has happened in the past. To be able to be with her and not be angry, bitter or 'crazy' myself. To just share with my mother again, the peace of sitting and knitting. Her hands are clumsy, she is like a child, but "God, please let her be successful, and finish this shawl. Lord, let it be a remembrance between her and me!!!"

My time with her is limited due to my own family responsiblities as well as I can only realistically be with her for a short time before I start to 'twitch.' My hope, is that in future visits, we will have the age old female bonding of sitting together and knitting and purling. This is a connection between us that might last for the rest of the time we have together. It gives us something to do as we converse and can tread lightly over the rough waters of the past. Breaks down barriers between us.

May God bless you Mom. I love you and am grateful for the time we had together. Lord, heal her body, soul, and spirit.

I finished the left side of Arwen. That includes the hood, left sleeve, and left side of front. Whew... It took quite a while. Even though this is a TERRIBLE picture, it shows the lovely long cable that is unbroken up over the shoulder and over the head. I have started the right side, and have not made very much progress as I spent the ENTIRE day yesterday (when I had time) studying about blogs.


May I just say...... that the learning curve of blogging is much higher than knitting AND spinning. I am learning an entire other language, and it ain't French. By the end of the day, I felt like I had after a grueling day of study in grad school. Kind of spacey and slightly nauseous. I was so frustrated because photobucket didn't like me. Neither did blogrolling . In fact, I still haven't received e-mail confirmation from one of them to even get started. I am proud of the fact, however, that I got a button of Arwen's KAL to show up, even though, it is not placed accurately. Many thanx to Robin for letting me show up for a quick lesson at the library. (how do you like all my hyperlinks????)


I have big plans for the weekend. On Sunday, my dh and I are going to pick up my mother in Havelock, NC and take her to New Bern, NC for an overnight trip. Any of you out there who are prayer warriors, please pray as my mother and brother (whom she lives with) are both bipolar. Mom is NOT in good health either and I am questioning the wisdom of doing an overnight with her, but, if I don't, my brother may decide I am free game for a bipolar rage. I hardly ever see mom and am looking forward to a brief visit. I love her dearly but can only be with her in short amounts before she starts to get to me.

I have tried to find a 2 bedroom suite in New Bern, but it is hard. Andy, dh, and I absolutely CANNOT stay in the same room with her because she snores like a freight train. I am not exaggerating. I don't know how one little woman can make noises like that awake, much less asleep. Because of her health and mental health I don't feel comfortable with her being out of my immediate supervision. Going to see her is a HUGE DEAL for me. I have been co-guardian with my bro and personally taken care of her finances for 6 years. When we first went to court, mom and I didn't speak for 3 years following.


I will get tons of time to knit, though, on the 7 hour drive down. Havelock, is right next to Moorehead City. Hope I don't get car sick. All that cabling might do it from Arwen. I need a plain knit for all that. Maybe, I will start the lime green alpaca for a shawl. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Mom will be jealous and try to scam it from me. She is, after all, the one responsible for my knitting.


On top of all that, my ds has a fever. Yeah. I am letting it cook whatever infection is in him out. I think it just secondary infection from the cold we have all been fighting. Well..... gotta go make a stab at school with the girls and rent a car for Sunday. Again, pray for us. Thanks and I appreciate you all. cate

moths and birds

There are moths in my house. I am assuming that they are the mealy ones from the pantry. They had better be. I am a getting ready to do a complete pantry overhaul. All pastas, rices, mixes, etc.... Are gonna have to be disposed of. My husband just called me into the kitchen (he is doing dishes, sigh..... what a man)and there is a moth shaped like the letter 'T' over the sink. I of course said, "It must die", but he seems to think it is harmless to my woolies. You just wait until he is finished, the thing's moments are numbered.

Well, I didn't wait until he wasn't looking. I just marched in there, picked up a wet rag, and mooshed it against my rose yellow backsplash. He actually said, "Owhhhh, you came over here just to do that, didn't you." I just smiled and sauntered back to y'all out there in cyberspace. He really is a softie underneath his manly man exterior. Here is another example: I have seen my husband get a baby bird from our cat, Mouser, a great hunter, and wring it's neck just to put it out of its' suffering. I was proud of him. He didn't let the feline torture it to death after the bird had already received a mortal wound (there was no saving the bird).

I know that might make us unpopular with animal lovers, of which I am one, but......... unfortunately, that is life. A cycle of life and death. (at least the cat didn't eat it alive)


So, now I have posted about murdering moths and putting baby birds out of their misery. How is that for an uplifting, Tuesday night post? hmmmmm

Just another day

If only my day had started with my new roving...... Alas... I was not able to even touch the glorious cotswald/silk blend in lucious greens, yellows, and periwinkles...







Well, I've had a crappy day so far. Mostly because I am frustrated beyond belief. Got up early as usual (remember be bragging about the glories of getting 'disciplined'?) Well, that is shot to %$#@%$#@%$#@%$#@%#$, excuse my french. Anyway, the little buggers have sonar or radar with me as their sole target. I mosey 1 toe out from under the covers and WHAMMY. They are all up. And hungry. And need all kinds of help to do WHATEVER they think is important and necessary to their little lives. Do they do this for thier father???? no non nyet Just me. I didn't get to drink java solo, knit a stitch, or even spin a bit (and they want me to converse, be pleasant and fun). Then to top things off, no one remembers ANYTHING that they have learned at all in their school careers. Then, I am not used to the cold weather....... How much more can I complain? Believe it or not I am trying to be amusing as I whine as well . Am I failing miserably?? Probably so.

It is now 1:20 and almost Room Time. Whoever thought that great idea up needs a medal. No one naps anymore so, I need a break (no, blogging does not count, where do you think the little buggers are located right now, hmmmm). They, surprisingly, do not share my enthusiasm for this activity, but I will persevere as my sanity is at sake. Only 1.5 hours and I can finally get my java solo. Did y'all read Yarn Harlot today.... I can relate, except my kids are a decade younger.

Gonna go check out the Arwen knit along. http://acardiganforarwen.blogspot.com

librarians rock

I just have to publicly thank Robin Frasier and Tanya (sorry, forgot your last name) for answering all my 'how to blog' questions. The most with the computer I have ever been able to do is word process, e-mail, and shop. Some google, but I learned that from yet another librarian. HTML is not just another foreign tongue, it is ALIEN!!! It just goes to show you that librarians are the rockingest people on the planet!!!

So, Robin e-mailed me a cool counter website. Being that this is just a little bitty blog, I don't expect much, but am excited nonetheless. If any of you out there, my cyber friends and RVspin/knit friends don't have a blog, I would encourage you to GO FOR IT!!! I am having a ball. And I get to show off my kids, my stuff and my world. I can't believe anyone is interested in any of the stuff that I do but I read all of y'alls as well...... so, I guess that explains it.

The construction of 'Arwen' is unique. The back is a big rectangle but the front panel, sleeve, and hood are all knit in one piece. Very cool, but it is taking FOREVER to knit the sleeve and front together. I shouldn't complain. I am putting to use all of the skills I have learned recently, ie.... short row shaping, backward loop cast on, and more intricate cableing.

This picture doesn't do the cable pattern justice. It is VERY pretty. Can't wait to wear it.

I am concerned about my 'making a sweater fit' ability. Between gauge, using a different yarn than the pattern calls for, and my loose knitting.... even picking the amount of c on stitches is kind of scary. The back looks huge, but the front is looking like it will fit. *sigh* It'll be OK no matter what. I'm gonna wear it!!!!

Today, I am taking dd #1 to see Charlotte's Web. DD #2 is at grandma's house getting some quality time with her. DS is gonna fix the garbage disposal with Andy. WHich will be a real trick considereing he is 2 (son, not husband). Happy Saturday everyone, cate

Sorry, no pix

Sorry, no pix today. Just a rambling of what I have been doing today.

DH got me up at usual time!! What a blessing!! If he didn't get me up, I would be at the mercy of the kids when THEY got me up. I am not the most social thing in the early, wee hours. I LIKE the morning, just don't want to talk..... at all.

So, my favorite thing to do is drink coffee, listen to the am news programs, and knit (what else). I got an hour in on Arwen today. Even started the short row shaping of the arm. Very interesting, this sweater. Lot of CO with back loop method, which is a bear to k the first row but it is BEAUTIFUL and shows no breaks when adding on a sleeve or a hood. Like magic.

After the kids get up, eat breakfast........ It's off to school we go (which is the dining room table). Maddy is learning her letters and doing GREAT. Mia is in 1st and really struggling to sound out new words. She has some significant developmental delays across the board (physical, cognitive, etc...) and so this is a MAJOR skill for her. I am grateful that homeschooling (hsing) is legal. Her neurologist actually said that it was the best choice for her because ANY school would not know what to do with her.

Now the kids are in 'room time.' Ethan (2) has dropped his nap *sigh* so at 3pm, sharp, everyday..... they ALL go to room time. I do whatever I feel like, which is usually knitting and spinning. This lasts only about 30 min tops, but I'll take it!!

Andy comes home at 5ish and tonight is RVspin/knit group. CAn't wait!! Later, cate

May I introduce you?

Happy New Year!!!! I hope you all had a wonderful, safe time on Sunday night. Me and hubby had a 'party' just the 5 of us. After we put the kids to bed, we had our traditional bottle of blanc de noir champagne (aka, pink) and then went and slept it off. Thankfully, no hangovers for either of us!!

Today, we are back doing school. I am feeling renewed and invigorated and ready to again attack my children's educations. Mia (1st) seems like she has developed and grown during the month we took off. She read like a champ!!! Maddy (K) is learning her letters and 1 to 1 ratio in math. The letter of the week is 'K'. Now all I need is a food that starts with a K and we'll be in business. Any ideas?


May I introduce you to Arwen? This has been my covet since before the holidays. I have been knitting on it like a fool since I finished my Christmas knitting (and since my spending spree at lys). The back is a plain rectangle and I thought it would never be done. I HATE purling long rows. But, the results are starting to be worth it!!! I knit on the rectangle in the morning, driving to church, driving from church, watching TV, before bed, outside in the driveway making sure my 2yo ds doesn't run off...... Endless back and forth, back and forth. Slowly but surely the inches appeared!! Then................... this morning my dh got me up early (so I could shake off my sleep coma before the kids hound me) and began the front of Arwen. I have already made a mistake with the cables, but I think it will go unnoticed. This is the most complicated cable pattern that I have attempted yet.



There is the big rectangle and below is the cable in detail. Sorry the pix is kind of fuzzy.

Well, enough blogging and time to get back to Arwen. Not much time before dh comes home and dinner. Then there is very little time for anything but kids, kids, and more kids. Later, cate