I was right (of course)

Remember how I was complaining about dishcloths and my lack of love for them? And then remember how I justified buying new cotton yarn thinking that would make me love dishcloths again? Well, hooray for me, because I just cranked out these lovely ladies in lavendar...

BTW, here's a quick movie review for "Ladies in Lavender". Now, I like me a good boring movie. I've watched several movies of the "chick" kind that Lee will say "Oh, is this the scene where they talk and stare at each other?" Or "Oh, is this the scene where they dance and don't speak?"

Ok, so "Ladies in Lavender" was TOO BORING for even ME. I kept finding excuses to get up. I'd be gone for 5 minutes, and had not missed anything. It's the story of two old English ladies (sisters) who find a young man washed up on shore by their house. (There. Now you don't need to see it, because that's all there is. Ok, and the boy is an excellent violinist, but, really, who cares?) The most exciting part of the movie for me was when I knew the boy's nationality before Judi Dench did, and I yelled at the TV "He's Polish, for crying out loud!" It was based on a book. Hopefully a SHORT story.

Check out this lovely lady... can't go wrong with happy happy spring blue.

Wicked 2 is done, done, done...

... and I love, love, love it! I'm gonna wear it tomorrow. Woot.




















Also started working on a blanket with my leftover wool. Used the Mitered Square Blanket from the Mason Dixon book. I like knitting these squares... it's awesome how every row is shorter than the last. I crocheted an edge around it, working in the ends as I went... no way was I gonna weave in the 50 million (roughly) ends the old fashioned way. I'd like to donate a blanket to either Afghans for Afghans or the Dulaan Project: Knitting to Warm Mongolia. Anyone want to make squares for a blanket with me?











We spent the weekend in the Dells at the Kalahari. There was a baby girl Tiger in the lobby. You could have your picture taken with her. We missed the time to get a picture taken, but we got to see the little baby close up. Super cute.

Big.

Yerp, my worst fears were confirmed today. Finished "Wicked". I knitted the wrong size. It's too big for me. I still have yarn left, and I think I have enough for a smaller size. I'm casting on today. I love the design so much, and I still want this sweater.












My friend Melodie came for a visit this weekend. She and I spent quality time together on our laptops, sharing all the funny videos we'd collected. Melodie spoke to our women's group at church Friday night.

Darn those socks!

On the 2nd sock, I realized I had continued the purl in the pattern about 10 rows too many. Did I TINK? Nope. Did I FROG? Nope. I... drum roll, please... unraveled the wrong stitches the 10 rows and FIXED it. I totally rock.

I finished the 2nd sock on the way to, and in, Cedar Falls, IA. Here's where I say DARN! These socks are the most comfortable things EVER. They are the right thickness, and the wool keeps my feet dry and warm and not clammy. That means I have to make MORE. Rats. Seriously. I hate making socks.

Unclear on the Concept

Kitty Pi is done. It took 4 (!) skeins of Lamb's Pride worsted. I did it with 2 strands, #10.5 needles. Here is a pre-felted look at it... I set Sibbie in it and she settled right in.

A word about felting in a front load washer. (Remind me to get a top load washer next time, although I didn't choose this washer... it came with the house.) Anyway, there is no way to check the progress of the felting, and there just is not as much agitation. That's great for clothes, but not so much for felting. Sooo... Kitty Pi got 2 washes, then the sides stood by themselves. I did the i-cord bindoff rather tight so that the sides would bulge a bit, and they do. Love it when a plan works the way I pictured, rather than the opposite of what I pictured, which has happened.

Here's the felted version which Sibbie would not step in. Ok, granted, it was wet at this point, but there had better be some major kittie useage once it's dry. I'm not above sprinkling catnip on it. I know they will love it if they would use it. Also here's a pic sans cat.

Lee and I TRIED to watch Black Dahlia... booooooooring. Maybe the book was better. We turned it off after 20 minutes, which felt like and hour and a half. So, we popped in Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, season 2, and I worked on these:

Yes, I'm still in love with dishcloths. I hope I can part with them when the time comes, cuz I'm pretty much in love with them and their cheerful colors.

Theresa's gloves... take two...

Theresa didn't like the mini stripes of this glove, so I did an alternating 2,2,4,4 striping. I think it's cool, hope T. does too! :)

I am SO in love with this basket...

...that I might have to marry it!!

The body is the Nantasket Basket (see previous post). I made the little handles with a 3 st I-cord. This yarn was larger than bulky, and slightly more yarny than roving. I don't know what it is called. It was not spun tightly. It did not felt as much as I wanted, but still, I love it. This yarn has been in my stash for a loooooong time. I used up ALL the gray. Note the 4 rows of gray in the handles... every last bit of it, I say. Dishcloths were very soothing to knit after this big needle/big yarn project... ow! my fingers. :)

Dishcloth Frenzy

My name is Chris and I'm a dishclothaholic. I am apparently unable to stop making them. I need an intervention.

Even Dirty Dishes Deserve Clean Knitting

I'm also in love with Ballband Dishclothes. The colors make me very happy. If you're a friend of mine, forget you saw these, as you'll be getting one for Christmas. :) I can't stop making these guys.

I blame Mason Dixon Knitting for my dirty house.

I received the MD knitting book on December 24. By December 27, this was done. My stash of leftover Lamb's Pride Bulky is used up. It's not very big, and it was telling me to felt it, so now it's even smaller. Not sure what it is yet, but it's on my dinner table.

Rachel's mittens

So, friend Rachel commissioned me to make these mittens after seeing mine. I love making mittens!! The fingers are the trickiest part for me, but it's getting easier. I like to make the fingers different lengths so that they hit the finger in between knuckles.


I loved knitting these for her, since hot pink is not a color I regularly choose. I think they're adorable. My DH designed the "star" motif, since I was frustrating myself trying to do it. He saw my frustration and basically snatched the grid paper out of my hand... "Gimmee that..." and 2 minutes later had the cutest design made. Love him.

Basket A Go-Go

Spent several hours Tuesday night knitting this up. It's shape is rather wonky, but hey, 1st one!

The original pattern looks much better.

BUT, I learned 3 new stitches. Finally got my mind wrapped around i-cords.

Got the pattern from http://ma2ut.blogspot.com/2006/06/nantasket-basket.html. Well worth the $5.50 to buy the pattern.

AND, I was able to use up a bunch of little balls of leftover yarn from other projects. So glad I saved that teeny tiny piece of lime green so it could go once around the basket.