Bonnie's Passion for Knitting

This and That!

It's the Christmas countdown and I haven't nearly enough time to complete my planned gifts.  But isn't that always the case?  Each year I plan to start earlier but somehow don't.

Rhinebeck was great as always.  I came away with an empty wallet but some great goodies.  At Windy Valley Musk Ox booth I bought some blue merino to make the cable lace cardigan.  I do love their quiviet and recently completed a scarf with some blue duvet I purchased from them at last year's festival.  I also scored a Namaste Zuma Bag in Peacock which I love.  I'd like to get another one.  The closing magnet on it is great as I have a habit of never zipping my bags and have lost items from my bag from time to time. Malabrigo silky merino in Indecito was my next purchase and I bought enough to make the February Lady's sweater.  But I have no idea when I'll get to start that.  And I bought more sock yarn.  All in all it was a wonderful day.

I've been going to Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool now for at least 8 years.  It's only an hour from me so that makes it quite convenient.  I've seen it grow in size tremendously over the years until now I find it somewhat difficult to navigate.  And this year for some reason I ran into a few rather rude pushy people, especially at Briar Rose.  Their booth was mobbed the entire day and I patiently waited to get in then found myself pushed and shoved and yarn actually taken out of my hand as I reached for it.  There were also two women who were obviously long lost friends who decided to stand in front of the yarn and discuss every member in their family.   I didn't say anything but left there disgusted and didn't buy anything. There were a few other times on Sat. I found people to be rather rude as well.   Although, waiting in the food line was as pleasant as always.  We all chatted about yarn and what we had purchased. I just hope the rudeness I experienced was a fluke and not a trend because NYS&W has always been a wonderful place to share my love of fiber.

I post so seldom these days I never talked about taking a workshop I enjoyed with Jared Flood on Aug. 28th.  The workshop was wonderful and Jared was superb.  He taught us about EZ's percentage sweater in the round.  This was his first workshop to promote his new book Made In Brooklyn.    There are 13 patterns in his book and I want to make each of them.  In fact I already started on Huron  in Knit Pick's City Tweed.  Shhhh It's a gift for my cousin Richard who I talked about in my previous post.  I'm on the first sleeve and for some reason I hate sleeves but I'm pushing myself as this should be a fast knit in the round.  

And then this is a pic of Jared, with Susan Gross owner of Knit One Needlepoint Too, myself and another participant whose name I forgot.

 

It was a really fun day! 

I bought myself a Kromski Symphony a few months ago and she is beautiful. Now I have to learn to spin.  Two years ago at Rhinebeck I spun on a Symphony and felt very comfortable.  I would have liked to try a few different makes and models but there is no one within 4 hours of me that had spinning wheels in stock.  Most spinning stores I found on line sell them but don't have them on hand.  They just drop ship them to you after the purchase.  Anyway  I bought mine unfinished, stained her myself and then hand waxed 5 coats buffing in between each one.
Isn't she pretty! 

My IMAC was not working well and I took her in to the Genius Bar at the Apple Store and they felt my hard drive was going bad.  The cost of putting in a new hard drive was enough to make me think twice so I waited.  Then in Sept.  I read on MAC RUMORS that Apple was coming out with a new IMAC and felt I should wait.  Each day I checked for what seemed like an eternity.  At 2:30AM on October 21st I received an e-mail from Apple.  The new IMAC was here.  As soon as I could get to the store that day I purchased this new 27" IMAC.  AND OMG do I love it. 

 When my daughter was in Graduate School she started using MACS and then I switched as well.  It would be very difficult for me to go back to a PC now.  I'm hooked.    Here you can see in the center my new IMAC.  On the right is my OLD PC that I use for my Pfaff 2170  Embroidery machine and for playing solitaire.  To the left is my 20" IMAC that has a bad hard drive.  I hope to take the old IMAC into Tekserve in NYC and have a new hard drive installed.  And then I would like to buy Windows XP for MAC so I can use the embroidery machine with the IMAC and get rid of the old PC.  Big plans!  

Unfortunately, I spend way to much time surfing and especially looking at yarn or patterns or reading other blogs so get less done around here.  I have to sometimes force myself to leave the computer.  It's never for long though because Ravelry or Facebook call to me.

I really have finished a few projects but I forget to take pics of them and then usually  gift them.  I completed Aeolian for my daughter.  And I made a few pair of socks.  

A few weeks ago I did a yarn inventory and my stash was bigger than I ever imagined.  Using an Excel spread sheet I have 4 pages of yarn inventoried and more to go.  I have counted 700 skeins of yarn so far!  Is that a sickness?  Am I addicted?  I think so and I'm almost afraid to count the remainder.

My purpose of making the inventory was to be able to look at the lists and choose from my stash instead of buying more.  I resolved to go on a yarn diet.  How long do you think I lasted?  Not long!  About 1 week.  But there was good reason.  My daughter, Amy, asked for a teal Infinity Scarf for Christmas. I didn't have any teal yarn.  Although I do have teal dye and some gorgeous handspun alpaca.  But instead I bought Dream In Color Classy Bermuda Teal from Loopy Ewe. They shipped the yarn out so fast and it was at my doorstep in 3 days.  And oh is it pretty and soft.  Now can I get the project completed by Christmas?  We'll see.  That kinda blew my yarn diet though.

Blame it all on Ravelry!

It's been almost a year since I last posted. But it's Ravelry's fault. When I sit down at the computer and go to Ravelry I get lost for hours looking at yarn and projects. It's just so extensive and interesting I can't seem to drag myself away and I'm even knitting less because of Ravelry! Does anybody else have this addiction too? 

Plus life gets in the way of hobbies and that is a good thing when life has been as good as it has been for me this past year! 

My very favorite cousin, Richard, visited me for two weeks last Dec. that just flew by. Richard and I grew up together in Rolling Fork, Mississippi and were best friends. We learned to bike, swim, climb trees, and catch crawfish together. Each of us moved away from Rolling Fork and while we didn't lose touch, we hadn't seen each other for over 30 years. So this was a great visit and the best Christmas I can remember since my children were little. Ryan and MIchael became fast friends with Richard and each took him on sightseeing expeditions while I worked. 

Isn't he handsome! And he's so kind and very funny! I can't wait to see him again. I just ordered yarn for a sweater for him but shhhhh I can't tell you much about it cause it's a surprise.

Like I mentioned we did lots of sightseeing of things I take for granted. We visited the Woodstock site which is really close to my house and I'd never been there. 

My two favorite men, Richard on the left and Michael on the right at the Woodstock Memorial Site. Michael was there in 1969 and so he narrated the tour for us telling us about the music and the rain. Michael had so may great memories to share.

Then in May my daughter, Amy, graduated from University of Michigan Law School with many Awards and Honors.  I am so proud of her for following her dreams!  

This is Amy and Ryan at a reception following the graduation.

                                                            Even the Boykins went but they weren't allowed at the graduation. They did get to go to one of the celebrations and promptly jumped into a freezing cold Michigan Lake.  So they got sent to jail here.  They have different scarves for each occasion and here they are dripping wet after their swim. That is Sophia on the left and Sarah on the right.  

Been having trouble navigating TypePad so I think I'll publish this before it disappears again.  See how the type size changes.  

It's the Rhinebeck countdown now.  I can't wait.  You know I've been going for about 10 years and each year I get more excited. I feel like a child waiting for Christmas.  My friends are all busy with other commitments but I'm going by myself anyway.  Tonight I'm planning my schedule and making a list of the booths I must go to.  Morehouse Farms isn't going to be there this year.  I hope the Quivit Shop is there.  I don't remember the name of it but that will be one the first places I look for on Sat.

I finished a baby blanket for my Grandson, Darien who was born Nov 9th on his Great Granfather's BD.     My son Ryan is Darien's Father.  Unfortunately Ryan and Maria are no longer together but I celebrate Darien's birth none the less.

I made him this blanket. This was made with Karabella Aurora 8 which is wonderful yarn.  So easy to use and care for.

Then I finished a little neck down Pure and Simple Cardigan for him in Fiesta Boomerang.  I only have an in process picture to show you now.

This yarn is really nice and it has a nice sheen to it that Lorna's Laces doesn't have.  I've made this pattern numerous times in various yarns including LL and sometimes I make it with a hood and other times with a hat.  Great little baby pattern.

And these are the Monkey Socks I mentioned in my last post.  They are made with Socks that Rock  yarn from last years NY Sheep and Wool Festival.  Now I know why everybody raves about STR yarn.  I's smooshy and just delightful.

I think they'll look better when they are washed and blocked.  At least I hope.

Lace Knitting is so interesting to me.  So I'm always looking at new ideas and I started making a Lace Trim to sew onto pillow cases or towels.  This is it unblocked.  It's great fun.  I love the pattern.   

This is Trekking yarn that I used to make a pair of Jean Townsend socks.  She has a Yahoo group and I have loved her designs.   The best part is they are free.  I can never seem to get my socks to match even when I think I'm starting in the same place in the colors of the yarn.  I think these would be called the Fraternal Twins.  Right.  I actually made these last year but never finished the toe of the second one.  Now it's completely finished.  

Then I have numerous other projects going on around here.  One is Mim Knits Seraphim Shawl in Baby Boom by Fiesta Yarns.

I also started a lace Cowl neck warmer out of Karabella Boise which is heavenly yarn made out of 50% Cashmere and 50% Merino.  This gets beading and it's my first beading experience.  This is great!  Now Beading is just another of my addictions! 

And I'm making a cardigan out of handpainted merino and mohair I bought on Ebay about 5 years ago.  I'm praying I'll finish it to  wear to NY S & Wool.  

So as  you can see I may not be good at blogging but I keep on knitting.

Happy BD Sarah and Sophia!

Today is the puppies BD.  Sarah and Sophia turned two today.  We had chicken nuggets for their dinner (I had a salad) and then Carvel Ice cream cake.  They loved that.  I did too.  

They're waiting for the cake here.

This is what happens to some empty nesters......they throw BD Parties for their dogs. Oh but it makes life more fun.

And after they had their fill of ice cream cake and chicken nuggets they fell fast asleep.

  Aren't they cute!

Sarah and Sophia have the same Father as Deb's Chappy of Chappy's Mom fame.   All three are greatly loved little Boykins.

It has been over a year since I posted.  One of my more difficult years but I am a survivor.  Last year I lost my job of 20 years and I have struggled with that loss.  I enjoy my new job but there are some aspects of it that are disappointing.  Money is one.  And the number of hours worked is another.  None the less, I've still found time to knit.  

Late winter into spring I worked on a lace shawl from Goddess knits Mystery Shawls on Yahoo.  I think it was No. 7 named Imbolc.  This is it although the photos aren't great.  I used Classic Elite Alpaca and Silk in Garnet.  It took me a few months to complete and thankfully I am pleased with the way it turned out.  

Lace knitting is amazing because during the knitting phase it sort of looks like a blob.  Then once you block it like magic the project blossoms.  Does anybody remember those little crystals you place in a bowl with water and grown into the most amazing crystal stalagtites and stalamites?  That's what it reminds me of.

I also made a few baby gifts.  One was a simple white lace pattern out of Cascade 220 Superwash.  It was and easy to knit without having to concentrate.  This is it.Last week I finished a little baby cardigan out of Rowan Cashsoft.  The yarn is very soft so it should feel nice next to a baby's skin.

And  I must be the last knitter to make the Monkey Socks Knitty Winter '06.  But I'm making them now out of a blue Socks that Rock I purchased last year at Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival.  I almost got trampled trying to buy that yarn so I wanted  the pattern to be very special,  And it is a special pattern.  I don't yet have a photo but I'm on sock 2.

As always I have a number of projects going at once but I'll save them for another day.

And hopefully soon I'll get my photo files organized.

I have missed my blogging friends.

I always say I'm going to blog more but I also want to change the layout. And since I haven't gotten around to doing that I wait to blog. It's ridiculous I know. So the format changes can wait.

I still knit everyday at least a little but having the puppies has certainly cut down on my knitting time. I try to take them swimming or for walks everyday. They especially love to swim and as soon as they see the water they are difficult to control. A few weeks ago they pulled me so hard and each of them went on opposite sides of a tree so I ended up making a huge crash landing into the tree. Ouch!

During all the dog food recalls I got really nervous and concerned as did many people. So I decided to make my own dog food. Deb of Chappy's Mom
recommended Sojourners oats as a base for the food. I make huge pots of stew using various meats and vegetables and freeze them in portion sized containers. I just defrost the stew and add it to their cooked oats. It's more expensive and requires more time but at least I know exactly what my pups are eating. And they love it! If I haven't mentioned it before my Sohia and Sarah have the same Father as Chappy.

Back to knitting! I finished a baby blanket for my friend's new grandson. It was a simple feather and fan pattern but came out quite nicely. The yarn was Sirdar DK Suggly which I've never used and was suprised I liked the feel of it even though it's synthetic yarn, Gasp! The Shame of IT.

I also finished a sweater for the daughter of one of my co-workers. For this I used Filatura di Crosa Zarina which I loved. I enjoyed making the lace edging around the bottom of this sweater as well. Rick and his wife are just elated to finally have a baby after years of trying. They named her Rebecca which I think is beautiful.

I'm half finished making a white baby blanket out of Cascade 220 washable. The yarn isn't as soft as regular Cascade 220 but I have a feeling a good washing will soften it up nicely. It's for a co-workers new Grandson due in the Fall. Initially they didn't want to know the gender......hence the color white. But for some reason they changed their minds and it's a Boy. Had I known I would have used a blue yarn. But I think the white will be good as well. Don't you?

And I just ordered Fleece Artist Silk and Seaweed yarn in the color Capri to make myself the Stormwater Shall. I can't wait untill it arrives. After all these gifts, it'll be so much fun to make something for me! I'm also curious about this yarn made with silk and sea weed.

Sarah and Sophia graduated from Puppy School in May. On the left is Sarah receiving her diploma. And this is Sophia on the right. Sarah always has the pink and Sophia the purple. It's how I tell them apart quickly

Most of my knitting is done when the girls are doing this.

Knitting with Puppies

Remember my Central Park Hoodie? Well this is what it looks like when puppies get a chance to run free!

They ate a few inches of the back and all but a few inches of one pair pf Bamboo needles. This was really not their fault because I know this is what puppies do. But my son left them loose in the house and went outside. Now he too knows what puppies do!

And as if that wasn't enough yesterday they ate the corner of my sofa with me sitting beside them! I heard a rip and jumped! When I looked at the sofa I just wanted to cry but instead I scolded Sarah and put them both in the cage for a little "time out."

I pride myself on my home surroundings and have bought expensive good furniture. Maybe I can have it repaired. What do you think?

Later I was taking a photo of my long awaited and finally completed Rowan Heather. It was on my guest bed and I quickly downloaded the pic to iphotos. The computer was less than a foot from the sweater. I heard a noise and there they were, Sarah and Sophie, playing tug of war with HEATHER! Now she needs major repair.

How can I stay angry with these adorable little girls?

I've always had puppies/dogs in my life and I don't ever remember this much mischief. But then I have never had two puppies at the same time either. So maybe that's the difference.

This is the photo before little teeth got to it. Rowan Heather in Rowan Kid Classic. Pattern from "A Season's Tale" by Rowan.

I need to rethink their "freedom". And we start Puppy Training classes in March. In the meantime I really am trying to train them. Yesterday, they both sat on command. (With the promise of a cookie of course)

So now I'm thinking maybe the chewing of CPH was an omen that says I should frog the Bartlett yarn and use another. Or is that just my excuse to myself buy more yarn?

In the meantime, I'm knitting a new pair of socks using Trekking Yarn #108 and Jeanie Townsend's "Lisas Lace" pattern. I've mentioned before how much I like Jeanie Townsend's sock patterns. I found her through a Canadian Yarn Supplier on Ebay. She has a group on Yahoo called TownsendSocksKnitALong . The patterns are free to group members and I've been quite happy with them.

And because I hope I've really learned my lesson about KNITTING WITH PUPPIES, I keep the socks tucked in this cute little knitting basket I bought from Knitters Review. I had tried to buy this basket a number of times but each time there was a new shipment, it was sold out within hours. Finally I got one in Dec. The lining has embroidered flowers and there are two inside pockets. I love it.

I've been knitting all along even though I haven't written or posted much about it. I guess you could say I'm not an organized blogger. You see I knit things and then give them away before I even take any picturess. And it's not that I don't use the camera. I've probably taken 400 pics of Sarah and Sophia. So I don't know why I knit and forget to take pics.

Sunday I started the Central Park Hoodie from the Fall 2006 Knitscene magazine. I vowed to use something from my stash and found 8 seins of Bartlett yarn in Bracken. The pattern is so easy but I'm not sure I'm liking this yarn. It's barn type yarn and it's just not what I enjoy gliding through my fingers. I prefer Cascade 220 or Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. The back is almost completed and I keep wondering if Bartlett yarn softens after washing. I sure hope it does becasue right now I'm feeling that its way too itchy.

I also completed two pairs of socks. My favorite is in Lorna's Laces. I don't remember the colorway because I bought it at the NY Sheep and Wool Festival a few years ago. It goes nicely with Denims. The pattern I used is Jennie Townsends Falling Leaves.

The second pair I finished is made with Austerman Step Yarn. That's the sock yarn with Jojoba oil and Aloe in it. This one of those self striping yarns which I find impossible to make the second sock
look like the first. In some blog (I'm sorry I can't remember to give credit for the term) I read that these can be called "fraternal twins" since the stripes on the two socks don't line up. I thought that was a good phrase.

As I'm writing this post, I suddenly realized that these are the first two pairs I've made for myself. Yes it's true. I've knit a dozen or more socks and given them all away!

I didn't make as many Christmas gifts as I usually do this year. Primarily because I was dealing with my Father's terminal illness. But I made my niece, Lindsey, a Booga Bag. I actually have another one made but not felted. The second Booga Bag I made larger. Once it gets felted, I'll post pics.

Felting in a front load washer hasn't worked well for me. I know some people have been successful but I can never get the felting process to really work well. So for the Booga Bag I washed it in my front loader 5 times. Then I boiled it and stirred constantly. That didn't work either. So I went to a friend's house and washed it 3 more times. And it finlly worked. The stitches disappeared and it looked like felted fabric.

The girls and I are settling into a routine together. Today I took them for a walk and they loved it! They found so many new scents, sounds and textures to explore. When we came home they fell fast asleep on Ryan's lap.

And when they woke up they were ready to play again. So they started wrestling with Maggie, who I must say has been great with them. Maggie and I are the Mature Ladies of this house. (I tell her we're the old gals) For a 13 year old she has handled the puppy invasion quite nicely!

My Dad

My Dad passed away on January 8th. It wasn't unexpected as he'd been home on Hospice Care since the end of September. I had a nice week visiting him in October and I really thought I had been dealing with the emotional pain of losing my Dad.....but that was an illusion. I was kidding myself. There is a huge gaping hole in my heart.

I could search the world and never find a kinder more honorable man that my Daddy. He taught me so much about life and loving. For example I was born and lived in the Roling Fork, Mississippi during the 1950's and 1960's. Prejudice ran rampant. But Daddy always told me that God created people of all colors and religions. God loved us all and we were all equal. He taught me to say Yes Ma'am and Yes Sir to all adults, regardless of race. My Mother's parents, who I was very close to, would get very upset when I said Ma'am or Sir to blacks but my Daddy explained although my Grandparents were good people, they weren't educated. As an adult, I realize how difficult it must have been for my Dad to live his beliefs back then. I am eternally thankful.

Another example of my Dad's faith and love is when his beloved brother was killed and left on the side of the road by a kidnapper/hitch hiker. I was about 11 years old and I said, "I hate that man."
My Father's response was, "Bonnie you should pray for him instead of hating him because he must be very troubled to kill another person. God wouldn't want you to hate him."

It was just the two of us, my Dad and I, from the time I was 14 till he remarried when I was about 19 or 20. During those teenage years, I'm sure it was difficult for him. But I never got into any trouble because I wanted him to be proud of me. All he had to say was "You don't want me to worry, do you?" or "Do you want be to be disappointed?" And of course I'd chose to do the "right" thing.

He was married to Gerri for over 30 years and they had the best marriage I've have ever seen. Each morning he'd wake up cheerful and say to her, "How's my beautiful wife this fine morning?" They raised her two daughters together, which he adopted. And in his last few months of life Gerry, Donna and Denise took care of him and nursed him night and day.

Just a few days before he died, Father Paul asked if there was anything he could do or anything he wanted. My Father's response was, "No. I have everything I ever wanted in life. I'm a very lucky man."

All my life, people would say to me, "Do you know how much I love your Dad?" Or "Your Dad is just wonderful!" That love and respect was so evident at his wake and funeral which were both held in his church. Numerous people, from young to old, stood up to say what Bill Strickland meant to them. I know how much he meant to me but it was awesome to hear and see how many lives he has touched with his love of God and mankind.

I will always love you Daddy.

This was the very Best Christmas ever! Why? I have two new babies. Thanks to Chappy. I've been reading the blog of Chappy's Mom for a few years now. I remember it was at least before the 2005 Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival. Deb's blog is full of exciting knitting and spinning projects but it is also the home of Chappy's adventures. Chappy is a Boykin Spaniel.

They are quite rare up here on the East Coast but are more common in the South especially S.C where they are the State Dog. I fell in love with Chappy and have been looking for a Boykin for over a year now. Last summer I filled out applications at a few breeders in NC and SC and have been on their waiting list. But my name still hasn't come up. Last Thursday, I googled Boykin Spaniel Breeders PA because I knew Chappy came from PA. I found Randy Good in Kittatinning, PA. And guess what? On Randy's web site there he was! There was Chappy!

Randy had two litters; one of which was ready to go to homes. I e-mailed him and then called him. Randy had two girls which is what I wanted. My son, Ryan, and I jumped in the car and drove 7 hours.

Once there, Randy brought out two little girls. I said I'd take the first one he handed me...then I said no I want this one. But wait, I think I'll take the first one. It was way too confusing. Randy said, "Why not take both!" For a min. I thought" Oh I can't do that." Then Ryan said, "They'll keep each other company and Amanda will have one too. (Amanda is his girlfriend and they live with me.) I didn't have to think about it any more. I took them both. Randy also told me he has sold more than a few pups because of Chappy.

And that is how Sarah and Sophie came into my life via Chappy.

When we arrived home at 1:30AM Amanda was waiting to greet us. Even though we had spoken to Amanda a few times on the way home, we had not told her I bought 2 puppies. Ryan opened up the cage door for Sarah to bolt out. We waited and as Sophie's nose peeked out, Amanda began to squeal delightfully.

Of course we couldn't sleep, so we stayed up playing. And as soon as the stores opened we took them to buy bedding, toys, chews. food etc.

I've taken over 300 photos of them since Sat. but here are just a few.
They nap, wake up and are taken outside, Then they come in to eat and play then go outside and then nap again. I'm amazed they don't cry at night as all my other puppies have done. I guess that's because they have each other.

My daughter, Amy was home for Christmas with her two dogs. So between her two and my three, there are 5 dogs in this house. My hardwood floors may never be the same. But what fun was had by all.

I just realized I didn't take one photo of us on Christmas....only the babies.

May I introduce you to Sarah Jessica on the right in both photos. She's the smaller of the two (weighing in at 5 lbs)as well as the rebel rouser.

And this is Sophia Leigh on the left side. She is 7 lbs and calmer than Sarah (sometimes.)

They've had lots of fun unwrapping all the gifts, even the ones for everybody else. (Tomorrow I have a dozen gifts to rewrap.) They've also taken the ornaments off my tree but I figure they one step ahead of me so I'll have less to take down in another week. And they love my yarn. Now messing with my yarn could get them in trouble. So I packed it all up. No more leaving baskets of yarn around the house for me.

I feel so lucky to be a new Mom. Chappy, my Dear, you are the greatest. Thank you.

My Back and my Mac

I know I've been MIA for quite some time. There are a number of reasons and excuses and so many things going on. Most of all my health. The back has given me problems for quite some time. I was out of work for three months and then since I've been back at work, all I do is work and go for various treatments for my back. Like Chiropractor. Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, and Massage Therapy.

But finally last week I had a nerve ablation of the pinched nerve in my back. Hopefully this will help. I have been knitting all along even though I haven't been blogging and as I get my files transferred over to my new Mac I'll post some photos!

Yes I did it...finally switched to Mac OS. Been thinking about it for quite some time. My daught loves hers. Now that I have it home I'm so confused about getting files switched over. I need help with transferring of data. It's way ovr my head. I was going to buy the Powebook Pro but once I got into the store and saw the iMac 20" screen I fell in love. I don't need a laptop for portability so this will work.

Lately I have found myself knitting lots of baby items as many of my friends are having Grandchildren.

One of the sweaters I made was out of Handpainted Cascade 220 yarn from Seacoast Yarns on Ebay. I love Holly's colors and of course Cascade 220 is one of my all time favorites.

I really love the way this turned out and the pattern is so much fun. It is the Knitting Pure and Simple Neck Down Cardigan for Babies. I have now made it 4 times....some with hoods and some with Hats, I vary it also with stripes and designs.

And as always I have way too many projects going at once. That is something I need to work hard to tame.

The yarn stash is bursting out of the closets as well as the attic. It kills me to have to store yarn in the attic but we started making an apt in the basement for my son and everything had to go. I had limited choices of where all the STUFF would go; THE DUMP, the attic, the shed or stuffed in the house in nooks and cranies.

Hopefully I will start to post more once I learn how to use this MAC.

See ya!