Phew!

Yep, Black Friday is officially over, and I must say...this year was extremely smooth. No nasty complaining customers. Guess they were pooped out from doing it at Wally World.

Knitting still progresses on secret project #1. I am doing the attached I-Cord, and it's going kind of slowly. So far, I can't see that it's making that much of a difference with regard to the edges rolling. Maybe a good steam block. We shall see.

My fave Thanksgiving memory this year? As soon as I walked into my parents' house, my sis who's visiting from CA, immediately wanted me to pull out my knitting so she could work a few rows. Her current job is so demanding that she has given up knitting for several years. I know she must feel the itch every once in awhile. It was neat for me to watch her knit, and our tension was the same. Who knows? This project may become my favorite knitted object.

If this isn't enough, I get a wild hair and want to work on some socks I started in August with the yarn in bought in KC. Does your knitting mind wander, too?

When You Care Enough To Send The Very Best...

First off, I'd like to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving! (Photo lifted from Hallmark--you gotta love 'em). Many of you will be having a mini vacation with the holiday...I'm so jealous! Being in retail means up at the crack of dawn for Black Friday, and then back again on Saturday. Can anyone tell me what it's like to not have to work during the holidays???

In my last post I told you the tix for Billy Joel were near the Bon Jovi tix...In my haste to post, I misinterpreted Red's email. The tix are near where we were for Neil Diamond. I have to say, I was a bit disappointed. Again, the whole Ticketmaster conspiracy!


What's that on the right? Well, I've been meaning to post about this for awhile, and I'm hoping some of you might give me some info on this...I call it the knitting ring. Evidently, it's a row counter...this was the best pic I could get of it. There are dials to turn the numbers on the top, and another dial in the center of the ring. It's stamped "British Made and at the bottom, M.P. Knitting Ring". Ever hear anything about this? I found it in a bag of yarn I bought at the thrift store.

As far as knitting goes, I'm still trying to plug away at secret project #1. I'm working on sleeve #2, and well, you've seen sleeve #1. That's it for now....happy knitting on your holiday!

What's this? No photo?

Yeah, nothing much to show on the knitting horizon, but I felt like updating. I'm still trying to crank along on secret project #1, but I gotta tell ya..it's sloooow going with flame stitch coupled with the fact that the piece has to be so large, but I can see a pay off. Last night I placed the 2 pieces side by side, and I think it's coming out just fine. My nerves are wracked, though. I had to make a side trip to Joann's for more yarn since it's discontinued and I didn't even have a 40% coupon to use. It was a bummer, but now I at least have enough to finish...hoping there won't be a glaring dye lot issue. Beggars can't be choosers. And I've decided to use an applied I-cord around the edges...when I brought this up at knitting group, there wasn't a single book at Barnes & Noble that discussed this technique. Anyway, one of the other knitters suggested this website to me, and I gotta say...Yay for knitting videos. Here's the link:
http://www.knittingatknoon.com/home.html

"Sing us a song, you're the piano man..." yep..I'll be concerting again with Red. Got the confirmation from Red as to where we're going to be sitting, and it's pretty coincidental that it's 2 rows closer than Bon Jovi, but in the same section. Weird, huh?

New stuff and old stuff

Back when I was first teaching myself to knit, I decided to invest in this book...The Knitting Dictionary. It saved me a few times, but as my knitting progressed, I found that there wasn't really any book out there to really, really answer all my questions. I surf the web a lot, and alot of people have reviewed this book by Vogue Knitting and have recommended it. Well, when I got my latest 40% off coupon from Joann's, I made a beeline top the store to get it. So far, I haven't had a chance to look at it because I also picked up the latest Knit1. Can't decide if there's anything in there I would make.

Anyway, I've also included a shot of secret project #1...part 2. I'm using flame stitch from The Knitting Dictionary. Imagine my horror when I discovered that there were 2 errors in the pattern. It's not like I could look up to see if there were any error corrections on this book...it was published in the 80's I think. Well, I'm happy to report that I figured out both errors, and as you see the knitting progresses. And while I'm working on this, I need to figure out if I will go to see Billy Joel in January with Red. I've seen him twice before, and he really puts on a great show...I'm stalling on this because it'll be another hundred bucks out the door, and I haven't paid Red the hundred for the Bon Jovi ticket yet! Yeah, and all this after the Christmas shopping, too.

I'm also happy to report that I did indeed get my beads for secret project #2, and I also got the chance to sit down and graph the 2 designs I want to use. The Swarovski wouldn't work, and I had to get a cheapo substitute. I hope this thing won't look too cheesey.

This week is my knitting group. Yea! I'm gonna have to pick some brains there regarding these 2 secret projects. Catch ya on the flip!

Talk about booty!-as in gifts!

When Red and I got together for Neil Diamond, I forgot to show what she got me for my birthday...still a month away..and for Christmas..well, you know when that is. Ok, I know I'm a wee bit old for this, but I can't help it. I love Hello Kitty. Years ago, I got Red a Mickey Mouse computer mouse, and I had been searching for Hello Kitty, but couldn't ever find one. Imagine how pleased I was when I opened the package! Yea for Hello Kitty and yea for Red!! Just thinking...I don't know what's larger...my yarn and pattern stash or my Hello Kitty stash!

Today's plan involves a trip to the bead store...I'm going to take the CE with me, and see what I can figure out. I kind of don't think it will work, but maybe I can come up with something. I received an email from another knitblogger who was kind enough to answer some questions for me. Doncha love the knitting community? Go visit her sometime.
http://abfab.typepad.com/

Research

As I mentioned in my last post, secret project #2 involves knitting with beads, something I've never done before. Last weekend the library called with a book I had placed on hold, so I zipped over and got it, plus my homework. First off, the nonknitting book...I Love everything this woman has written! The dialogue just makes the reading move so quickly that before ya know it, you're done. Shame she had some personal drama of her own...guess she was on Oprah today. (what is up with blogger again? I took off the italics! Whatever!)

I love the VK knitting book...and would love to get my hands on the newer edition, but at $38.95 from Barnes, I'll think I'll wait. There are 2 great stitch patterns in there that I am interested in using for some original designwork. When you do that, is it still your own knitting pattern? Like if it were copyrighted? I checked out the Nicky Epstein book again thinking I would knit some flowers, but now I think I'll pass. Have you seen her latest book? Would love to add these 2 to my collection, also.
The knitting on secret project #1 has encompassed most of my free time when I'm not reading. The large piece I'm working on is so taxing...but I guess the pay off will be worth it. At least it's good tv watching knitting.

Earlier when I was surfin' the web, I decided to visit Lion Brand Yarn's webpage. Did you know they have a new yarn with cashmere? It's a small %, but still..when I browsed the online store, it said it sells for $9.99 a ball with only 84 yards. Guess a sweater is out of the picture for this yarn until it becomes discontinued or goes on sale. I'm a snob when it comes to pricing. Sure, if it were Rowan or something, but LB? Come on...this is what happens when you've spent the better part of your life in retail...you never pay retail!

Another post so soon?

For all those nonbelievers, yes, I finished shelling those Florida pecans, and here's what's for dessert at my house tonight! Yummy! I can't wait to dig in!

I thought it might be fun to see one of my first sweaters. I call it "summer of unemployment". Unfortunately, it was true at the time...so in order to pass time waiting to be called for interviews, I decided to pick up knitting again, for what? The 3rd time?...It's from VK, some issue from the 80's...I still can't believe I knit it, and so crudely, too. Will I frog it? I think not. It's a relic I love pulling out and looking at from time to time. Call me weird. And I sat there and sewed the beads on for the flower centers. Which actually brings me to my next topic..

Anybody ever knit with Swarovski crystals? I'd love some tips...this will be a first attempt at knitting with beads, and I need some advice. Hello? Is anybody there?

Project Roulette

I think that I am experiencing some sort of project overload or complete boredom with what I've started. Now, I'm not exactly someone who enjoys frogging WIPs; I tend to persevere even if it kills me. Here's a small example of what I'm talking about:

1. Red bolero-this is the back piece. Sleeves and 2 fronts are done
2. Tahki shrug-first I ran out of the purple yarn, and then added some LB "Color Waves" for the cuffs...I'm not so sure I like it, but my mom thinks it's pretty. Still undecided.
3. Black mini vest-Have to do the collar and front bands, but can't get motivated to do it
4. The oh so lovely Rebecca summer sweater that has cursed me since it's inception. I have made an extra stitch somewhere on the right front, and don't have the energy to try and figure out what to do
5. Secret project #1-Mindless knitting...but not without it's drawbacks, too. I can't stay focused cause it's not fun.
What's a girl to do in this time of need? Abandon it all for a NEW project, bite your lip and keep on going, or just find some good snacks and watch Lifetime movies all day?