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Knitamaniacs
Wednesday, 22 August 2007
In a Sock Mood
Mood:  a-ok

I've been in a sock knitting mood. I guess I'm ready for some fall weather.  I bought four balls of Fixation at our local yarn shop's  (Knit Wit Knit's, Salem, Ohio)  4th of July sale and am having fun knitting them up into footies. I just used a simple Fan and Feather pattern on the top of the sock and like that little touch of elegance.  Our little creek in the front yard is finally back in it's banks.  We had three days of some pretty nasty flooding. You can see leaves in the yard just below the trees that show where the water was yesterday, about five feet over the bank.

 


Posted by knitamaniac at 8:19 AM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 22 August 2007 8:25 AM EDT
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Monday, 20 August 2007
Bottle Cozy
Mood:  sad
Topic: Knitting
Made a new water bottle cozy from a ripple pattern Cathi came up with. I really like it.


Here's her pattern:

Bottle cozy  Basic Chevron Pattern
small amount of cotton yarn, worsted weight
size 8 needles, dpns or circs
yarn needle
Cast on 30 sts for skinny bottle 
Join, being careful not to twist the yarn
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: *Knit in front and back of stitch (kfb), K2, SSK, K2tog, K2, kfb* rpt
Repeat these two rows till the yarn is almost done or it's as long as you want.
Decrease:
Row 1: *K3, SSK, K2tog, K3* rpt
Row 2: *K2, SSK, K2tog, K2* rpt
Row 3: * K1, SSK, K2tog, K1* rpt
Row 4: *SSK, K2tog*
Row 5: K2tog around
Break yarn leaving enough of a tail to work with, 3 or 4 inches will be plenty.  Run tail through the 3 stitches draw up to close end, weave in end.

Posted by knitamaniac at 3:11 PM EDT
Updated: Tuesday, 2 October 2007 3:38 PM EDT
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Thursday, 16 August 2007
Secret Pal 11
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: Peace and Quiet ! Onya's napping
Topic: Secret Pal 11

Here's the second questionaire for  Secret Pal 11.

 

1.  What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?            My row counter
2.  If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you?           Sure do   If so, how much and what type of project?                                    I take along two projects, a complicated one for quiet time (usually a shawl) and an easy pair of socks for noisy times
3.  Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot? Alaska. We went there in June and traveled all the way south to Seward and all the way north to North Pole City and Fairbanks. I can not wait to go back again. We also have a summer place in the North Central Pennsylvania mountains that I love going to. I'd rather be there than just about anywhere.
4.  What is your favorite knitting book at the moment?                              All of Elizabeth Zimmermann's  Do you own it? yes I own all five and Meg's books
5.  Do you listen to podcasts? yes   Which is your favorite(s)?                  Knit Picks, Unwound, and Pointy Sticks


Posted by knitamaniac at 2:41 PM EDT
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Friday, 10 August 2007
New Knit and Read Along
Mood:  not sure
Topic: Knitting
  There is a  new Knitalong going on based on the Anne of Green Gables books. You can find more info  here: http://anneknits.blogspot.com/

Posted by knitamaniac at 3:05 PM EDT
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Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Afghans
Topic: Afghans

The local knitting guild I belong to recently had a great class on gauge. The swatches everyone made were donated to me for a lapghan.  Below is a picture.

It will be donated to the VFW for use at the VA hospital.  Another of our members, Sandy donated some knit strips that needed to be joined together.  It turned out to be a lovely blanket and I'm planning on donating it for a yard sale our group is having to raise money for a local boy who was critically injured a few weeks ago.

 


Posted by knitamaniac at 10:34 AM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 August 2007 12:45 PM EDT
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Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Secret Pal 11
Mood:  cool
Topic: Secret Pal 11

The Questionnaire for  Secret Pal 11


1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love wools, silks, cottons, blends.  I'm fine with nice acrylics, too.  I very much dislike any bulky yarns

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Needle cases from JoAnn Fabrics, rolls I've sewn and a lovely glass vase.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've been knitting for 42 years (since I was 8) and am an advanced knitter, I suppose

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? no

5. What's your favorite scent? tangerine or cranberry.  I am very allergic to chemical based perfumes and have asthma.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? some, anything chocolate

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I don't spin but, I'm hoping to learn. I crochet, sew, quilt and like to scrapbook

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I listen to Christian Contempory, Country and oldies. Love Swing music ( we ballroom dance). My computer can play MP3's and I have an I-Pod.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? my favorite color is sage green. Don't really like blue except in jeans and I'm not fond of pastels.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am married, have six biological children ranging in ages from 19 to 31, three adopted daughters ages 10,13, and 16 and a 16 year old foster daughter. We have a Blue Tic coon hound, a Shitz Tzu, and two cats.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I wear scarves and mittens

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? shawls and socks

13. What are you knitting right now? a Bell Lace Shawl and two Clapotis

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I rarely do but, love it.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Circulars and my favorites are old nylon ones. I've been collecting them for years.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? yarn winder

17. How old is your oldest UFO? 6 months

18. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving

19. Is there anything that you collect? green depression glass and kids : )

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? nothing in particular right now.  I have a subscription to Cast On, Interweave Knits, and Creative Knitting

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I would love someone to show me the right way to do the mattress stitch

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? yes, I wear a size 9 shoe and my foot is 9 3/4" long.

23. When is your birthday? November 27th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? on the waiting list.

 


Posted by knitamaniac at 8:50 PM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 August 2007 12:56 PM EDT
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Friday, 6 July 2007
New Knitting
Mood:  don't ask

Finished a few new projects. Made my first Babies and Bears Sweater using Bernat Pink Camo and Light Sage Red Heart. I made the 9 months size hoping it would fit my granddaughter but, she takes after her dad and has really long arms. This one will go to charity and I'll make her another with much longer sleeves.

 

I also completed a "plain vanilla" Christmas stocking.  My local knitting guild is having a Christmas in July month and we're going to knit stockings as well as have a "Christmas" picnic.

 

 


Posted by knitamaniac at 6:48 AM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 August 2007 10:49 AM EDT
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Sunday, 24 June 2007
What not to do when traveling
Mood:  don't ask
Topic: Alaska


 

Don't put the shawl you've been working on for weeks in your suitcase without putting it in a bag. My luggage got checked and the shawl got stuck in the zipper... Big hole. Rip it, rip it!

 

 

It was a lovely Fan and Feather Circular Shawl. Now I rip and begin again!  I thought I needed to be using a larger needle anyway soooooo.... I'm not toooo upset.

Posted by knitamaniac at 10:29 AM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 August 2007 10:53 AM EDT
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Back from Alaska
Mood:  bright
Topic: Alaska


The Bable's are back from Alaska. What a wonderful trip and I can't wait to go back!!  We traveled as far south as Seward and as far north as Fairbanks. Had two cruises (Portage Glacier and Riverboat Discovery), a train trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks on the Alaska Railroad, did a lot of hiking and visited the Summer Solitice Festival in Fairbanks. The above picture is of a close encounter with a grizzly while hiking the trails at Eagle River.   We decided to take the right fork in the trail after running into him!

More later.


Posted by knitamaniac at 9:54 AM EDT
Updated: Tuesday, 14 August 2007 9:43 AM EDT
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Friday, 1 June 2007
New Cousin
Topic: Babies

My cousin Matt and his wife just had a new baby girl, Reagan Elizabeth.

Shown with her proud parents and grandparents, my Aunt Janis and Uncle Ron.

I just finished a new sweater set for the baby and am sending it out in today's mail.

 

 

 


Posted by knitamaniac at 7:52 AM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 August 2007 10:51 AM EDT
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Thursday, 31 May 2007
Look!
Mood:  surprised
Topic: Babies

Look who got two new teeth!  This is our granddaughter #2, Little Miss Kit Kat.  She and her folks live 5 hours away now in northern Virginia, so I'll get to see her a lot more often now. They did live in Omaha up until three weeks ago.

I get to go watch her next weekend while her foks are away. Can't wait!


 

 

 


Posted by knitamaniac at 6:22 AM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 August 2007 10:51 AM EDT
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Sunday, 27 May 2007
Ben's Wedding
Mood:  chatty
Now Playing: The Air Conditioner. It's Hot!
Topic: Ben's Wedding


Our 26 year old, Ben got married yesterday. The wedding was just beautiful and we had such a great time. Above is Matt our 19 year old,  our new daughter in law's sister Nikki, Crystal, Ben and our daughter Wendy and her husband Rick. My pictures didn't come out too great, I was pretty far back trying to stay out of the photographers way.

 

Ben, Wayne and Matt right before the wedding.


Posted by knitamaniac at 11:24 AM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 August 2007 10:52 AM EDT
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Tuesday, 8 May 2007
Crocheted Shell Stitch Dress
Now Playing: Peace and Quiet !
Topic: Babies


My dear friend Josie blessed me with a whole box of sport weight baby yarn.  I plan to use it making baby dresses and  onsies for the Cheyenne River Reservation. This is my latest project.

 


Posted by knitamaniac at 1:40 PM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 August 2007 10:54 AM EDT
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Monday, 7 May 2007
My princess
Mood:  happy
Topic: Babies


 

My granddaughter Kat in the Beribboned Eyelet Sweater I knit her for Easter.  I wish you could see her hair better, it's bright red!  Love that baby !

Posted by knitamaniac at 6:20 PM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 August 2007 10:55 AM EDT
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Sunday, 29 April 2007
The Shower
Topic: Ben's Wedding
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bables/  Pictures from Crystal's Shower and Beth's Prom.

Posted by knitamaniac at 8:23 AM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 August 2007 10:56 AM EDT
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Saturday, 28 April 2007
Shawl Pin
Mood:  happy
Topic: Crafting


 

Today I'm hosting a Bridal show for my future daughter in law Crystal. I knit her a fan and feather mohair shawl (picture a few entries below) and wanted to have a special shawl pin for it. After much shopping, I didn't find a thing that would match the gowns so decided to make one myself. She's going with an "apple colors" theme for the wedding, the red of red delicious apples and green of granny smiths.  The colors above are way off, but give you an idea of what I made. I ended up making matching earrings.

Posted by knitamaniac at 6:55 AM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 August 2007 10:56 AM EDT
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Thursday, 12 April 2007
Cathi's Knitting Bag
Topic: Crafting

My embroidery machine goofed a bit but, here is Cathi's knitting bag

 

 


Posted by knitamaniac at 12:48 PM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 August 2007 10:57 AM EDT
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Knitting Bags
Topic: Crafting


Been making some knitting bags with my embroidery machine. Cathi requested this one for her friend Kim, who is the list mom at the Socks for Soldiers list.

 


Posted by knitamaniac at 11:32 AM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 August 2007 10:57 AM EDT
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Monday, 9 April 2007
Finished Shower gift
Mood:  hungry
Topic: Ben's Wedding


 

Completed a Fan and Feather Shawl for my future daughter in law. Our 26 year old son is getting married May 26th. It can still be pretty chilly here then so I thought I'd make his future wife a shawl to wear with her strapless gown. It's made from fingering weight angora and is so soft.  I hope Crystal likes it!

Did you all  have a lovely Easter?  We had a wonderful service at church.  Our choir sang,  In Christ Alone (recorded by the Newsboys) and the youth sang two songs.   Both did such a nice job.  Cathi and her hubby, Mel, our four youngest daughers and our 27 year old son and family were here for supper. We had such a great evening!


Posted by knitamaniac at 7:09 AM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 August 2007 10:57 AM EDT
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Saturday, 7 April 2007
Easter Bunny
Mood:  happy
Topic: Babies


 

Had to show a picture of my favorite Easter Bunny. Don't you love the hat?  This is our six month old grandbaby Kat in a beautiful dress her grandma Kathy got her.

Posted by knitamaniac at 5:27 AM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 August 2007 10:58 AM EDT
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