DCS ~ Topic of the Week #2

When you knit or crochet dishclothes, washclothes or face clothes, what do you use? What size needle or hook? Wood? what type? Metal? Plastic? A specific Brand? Why do you love that needle or hook so much? Is there one you are dying to try? Is there a particular yarn you love and use all the time for clothes? What is so special about it?

I used cotton mostly with 7 circs or a H or J hook. Metal of course and I prefer Boye. Boye circs with the black cord are smooth and easy to use. I've only used metal hooks and they too are smooth. I'm interested in trying KnitPicks Harmony needles. My particular fav cotton is Lion Brand but I do enjoy using Sinafora, Sugar n Cream, Peaches n Cream and a german brand I'm currently using for my partner but can't find the band at the moment to list. The Lion Brand is durable, smooth and very soft, it is also easy on the hands when using in 2 strands with a hook. ;)

How about an update....

Oh I'm so tired and boy does my body hurt. I've been working for the past 14 days at the fair and there are 8 days left til opening. Today, I hung over 150 art prints and tomorrow I'll hang about 30 more then move on to the 1500 photos. LOL I'm enjoying my job but my body isn't. I wasn't aware that it was so physically taxing, I probably wouldn't have agreed to do the job. ;D Anywho, I got off work at 7:50p and hit a local LYS to pick up some goodies for my secret pal. I had about 6mins to look around and they had some lovely new stuff. I can't tell you what I got her but its soft and pretty, I hope she likes it. I then went to get us Singapore noodles for dinner as a treat for waiting for me to get off work. They are such troopers. After dinner, I took Sk8chick to Wal-Mart to p/u some personal and now sitting here checking email and writing this post. ;P

Yesterday I was too tired to go to knit nite at Panera's but I did manage to finish off my knitted food item for a swap along w/finishing off a dishcloth. I took a nice hot shower, fixed a cup of lemon honey tea and listen to my audio book ~ Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters. I check emails and stuff, since I'm suppose to be playing dishcloth bingo but overall I had a very relaxing evening and went to bed at 10p.

On the knitting front ~ besides finishing off the above mentioned, I've finished 2 other dishcloths, started one for my fall dishcloth swap, joined 2 swaps - Chocolate Lovers and ISE 5, planned purchases for other swaps and thinking about dropping out of a couple before partners are assigned, started a crocheted washcloth, planned my projects for next year's fair entries and dreamed about knitting. LOL

Well, I'd better go to bed because I'm starting to ramble and I don't know if this is making any sense. I'll check in on ravelry tomorrow and any other blogs I've missed. Talk w/you all soon. Have a great week!

~ Long weekend ~

hello all ~ long time no hear from, right?! Well, I've started my fair job and life has been a roller coaster ride literally. I will update when I am more coherent. Knitting has been almost non-existent along w/regular house duties. I am hoping to get more sleep later in the week and get caught up on emails, blogs and mail. Dear Pals ~ I will get your packages out, I promise. Have a great week and I'll try to get back on before the week's over. I've got my first support group meeting this week too. Too busy for my own good.

See ya later ;D

Whadda week...

lets see, its been quiet on the cyber front but very busy on the homefront. Da Boy turned 15yo and my work at the fair has begun. I've been helping to get judges lined up and confirmed and various other things and this is only the beginning. There has been lots going on since I last talked to you and I'll use bullet style to write this update:

~ the camera is finally dead. yep ~ it hit the floor or computer, not sure which I wasn't home, but its dead as a doorknob. don't know when we'll get a new one so pics are on hold til I figure out how to upload from my cell.

~ the fair is in full swing. I will really start working more next week and I now have 2 jobs instead of 1. more moola but lots of work. LOL

~ I've purchased the VK fall issue which is their anniversary one and I've been oohing and aaahing and printing out the free patterns. I started a kal ~ I mentioned that earlier and I can't wait to get started but I'll have to wait.

~ my garter bars are nice but have to frog if I can't find a suitable 2nd yarn for them. my current yarn isn't enough to make 2 full socks so I'll either frog or add another color and make them reverse style.

~ another dishcloth done. in my frustration over the socks, I began another cloth and finished it yesterday. I started a new one today for a swap.

~ I joined the fall dishcloth swap. it looks like great fun.

~ received my partner for the Vegan Pal 2 swap. this is going to be lots of fun especially after reading the snack list and I love over 90% of the listed goodies. woohoo!

~ I got to go out w/the girls not 1x, not 2x but 3x this week. yeah me!

~ went to see "no reservations" ~ loved it. definitely a chick flick w/yarn and lots of knitted items.

~ Sk8rChick treated me to the movies and red robin. ;D

~ Da Boy tagged along to 2 yarns shops and listened to 2 women talked about everything from marital relationships to harassing the teacher. ok, maybe not harassing but it was close. LOL

~ we took a friend out for the day, me & Da Boy and she treated us to lunch. love those singapore noodles. yummy!

~ purchased some yarn for my secret pal, the july/aug issue of crochet today and some lovely 50% clearance yarn for me. ;D

Well, I think thats all. I've not done anything on my shawl nor anything else for that matter. I need to work on my bathroom and will probably clean up the kitchen again tomorrow. Boy, you leave for just a day or so and they let the house go down. A bit tired and will got to bed now. Later.

~ at the homestead ~

sounds ~ Blue shoes & happiness

smells ~ african red bush tea

dinner ~ leftovers ~ singapore noodles

on the needles ~ spinning wheel dishcloth in jewels

Look what I've done...

following after my favorite knitter and all the rest of you ~ I've decided to start a knit-along in honor of Vogue Knitting's 25th anniversary. Come on over to VOGUEKnitting Knit-along and join the fun. I'll be looking for you.

~ Fall Dishcloth Exchange Questionaire ~

Oh boy, oh boy ~ I'll admit I'm a big kid and I love "Fall." This exchange was designed w/me in mind. LOL

Welcome and thank you exhange partner

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been doing it?
Both. Knitting consistently since Jan 07 ~ Crocheting for 30+ yrs

2. Have you made dischloths before? Do you use them yourself, give them as gifts, or both?
Yes ~ both

3. What's your favorite cotton to make cloths from? What cotton would you like to try that you haven't before ?
Lion Brand Cotton ~ not sure but open to trying new things.

4. If you knit, do you prefer circular or straight needles? For all, do you prefer wooden, metal, or plastic needles?
Circs. Prefer metal Bates (w/black cord). Love birch wood but have only used dpns.

5. What are your favorite colors? Any colors you don't like much?
Reds are my absolute fav but I love color and I've not met one I don't like yet.

6. What do you like best about Autumn?
The colors ~ the beauty of the scenery especially in the mountains. ;D

7. Pies: Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? All of em? or No Thanks!
All of 'em.

8. When you were a kid, were you the one who couldn't wait to get started with school , or the one who overslept on the 1st day?
I couldn't wait ~ still can't especially when I taught computers. I would create 2 first days of school ~ one in Sept and another in Jan to ward off winter blues. I homeschool now and still enjoy the first day effect especially since its the best time of the year.

9. Do you celebrate Halloween? (The real key here guys is especially knowing if you have an aversion to the holiday or little goodies/decorations associated with it, given the timeframe of the swap)
I don't celebrate halloween though we do allow our dc to go trick-or-treating usually because they are the big brother/sisters for the neighborhood. we also pass out candy but we don't decorate in halloween its all harvest related. so no globins, witches, mummies or that kinda stuffy here ~ but I love candy corn ;D

10. If you had to choose just 3 edible 'goodies' to eat for a full year, what 3 would you choose?
1. chocolate, 2. cookies ~ butter & sugar, 3. cake (homemade of course)

11. Do you have any pets? Kids? Husbands who seem like kids? ;)
Yes, 1 dog ~ 2yo german shepherd mix, 3 dc ~ 19yo dd, 16yo dd & soon to be 15yo ds and of course the hubby ;D

12. If you were to describe a particular yarn that shares traits of your personality, what would it be and why?
hmm, I don't know ~ I haven't tried that many yarns yet. I'm very complex, can be intense at times, love to be alone to sit and ponder but love to be apart of the group and join in the fun, love adventure and travel but what yarn would describe that ~ one thing for sure ~ red would be its primary color. ;D

13. Do you use your cloths mostly for dishcloths, or as facecloths?
Both.

14. Favorite Fall Holiday: Halloween or Thanksgiving and why? (Feel free to share another fall memory if you do not celebrate either of these holidays)
My Birthday ~ heehee. Thanksgiving ~ the colors, smells and the childhood memories of family celebrating, watching football and lots of food.

15. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should know about?
I'm allergic to hazelnut but love it anyway and to some cat dander. I usually take claritin d and deal w/it.

Socks & more on the horizon

yep ~ more socks. I'm enjoying this very much. Didn't know I would like making socks but I do. Yesterday, I started my Garter Bars by Sockbug and I'm really liking them though I've only finished the ribbing and have just started the leg rounds. I'm looking forward to these and will also get dh's argyles back OTNs hopefully today.

Over at stashalong we are starting another kal n kal. This month's theme is "finishing" and thats very timely at least for me. I've got several things I'd like to finish but I will focus on the frozen lake shawl. Its really an easy pattern and I know I can do it but I've set aside and forgotten about it. I think I'll have to allot time for each project, you know like we do for our reading or school classes. In this way, I should be able to work on each project a little at a time. Hmm, really will need to plan this one so that the CPVest, which is abit big to carry around, will not be neglected either. I've slowed down on my knitting since I pulled a muscle in my upper back. I've worked a few rows a day though so that I don't lose too much momentum on getting it done. I've started the 2 set of color changes for the back and I'm pleased with that.

My garter bar socks are for my Aug-Sept challenge for the Sock Knitter Anonymous group. I'm excited because these will be my first full length, almost full length ~ I prefer calf, adult socks. I wanted to join the monkey sock swap but failed to send my email ~ its still in my draft queue. LOL I will be updating my sidebar w/more buttons and a FO section but for now have been striking thru my WIPs. ;D

I received my Summer Yard Sale swap package from Sharon. Its too cool.

~ calligraphy pen set
~ calendar notepad
~ 2 spiced wax tarts
~ 2 Caron patterns (shrug and wrap)
~ 4 skeins of Caron's Simply Soft Shadow
~ Country Home & Garden tote
~ 1 Green/blue/yellow/beige sweater for recycling*
*however, Riley wants to keep it.

Thx a bunch Sharon ~ I love my package.

Off to work on homeschool stuff, book study stuff, birthday presents, more knitting and stuff.

Have a wonderful Labor Day!

~ Christmas Around the World Questionaire ~

Woohoo ~ its time to get ready for our christmas swap. Here is my questionaire ~ I'm looking forward to seeing what my partner puts together, thx ;D

Are you religious?
hmm, depends on what you mean by religious.
How long have you been knitting? Would you consider yourself a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced?
Consistently since jan 07, I am an advanced beginner.
Do you have any other hobbies besides knitting?
Yes, several ~ cross-stitch, bird watching, reading, volunteering.
Favorite color(s)?
Reds
Do you collect anything?
Lighthouses, books, sea shells and cups.
Are you allergic to any fibers or animals?
Some cat dander.
Do you have any pets?
Yes, a 2yo german shephard mix called "poochie" though his name is dude jr.
Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate?
All are enjoyed.
Cookies or Sweets?
Yes, fav cookies ~ butter, sugar, chocolate, chocolate chip and sweets ~ oh chocolate is the fav but I like brownies too.
Do you knit socks?
Yes ~ I'm starting a new pair today ~ garter bar socks by sockbug.
If not socks then what? (tell us about your favorite knits)
I like to knit dishcloths too.
Do you put up a Christmas tree? If not then what do you do?
Yes.
Favorite holiday treats?
Butter and sugar cookies, mint and peanut mix, pound cake w/strawberries and whip topping, sweet potatoe and pumpkin pie, pie a la mode ~ apple w/vanilla, apple, cranberry and cinammon crisp, cinammon rolls, oh we could go on and on here. don't forget the eggnog, speciality coffee's like Starbucks Christmas blend and hot chocolate.
Favorite holiday smells?
Vanilla, cinammon and peppermint.
Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional or unconventional way? Please elaborate.
I would say we celebrate in a traditional way ~ we wrap presents, play christmas music, play games and eat snacks, have a family dinner on christmas day, but open presents at midnight and sleep in.
What are your favorite holiday traditions?
Preparation of christmas dinner, decorating the christmas tree ~ each year is a different color theme that I also carry into the house decoration to include our door wreath, buying a new ornament each year and making handmade gifts ~ now I get to add knitted items to these.
Finish the sentence: “For me Christmas is all about....”
spending time with my family, preparing homemade treats, enjoyment of shopping, the pleasure of giving and the rememberance of the true giver ~ my Lord and Savior.
If you were a Christmas ornament you would be…….?
A star.
What was your favorite gift you've ever received? Or given?
I don't have one favorite received or given ~ there are several that stand out especially the years I made my girls new dresses; or our first year in Ok when we had very little $ and I made each of my children a personal pillow. So many, maybe one day I'll write them down for memories sake.
When do you start your Christmas?
We now start 2wks before. In the past, it was christmas eve because dh's b-day in the 23rd. I start shopping in either Jan or Sept, if I miss the early shopping I have to wait til after Da Boy's birthday to shop (3 b-days from may - sept) though I don't pass up great buys along the way.
Do you send Christmas cards? Do you make them or buy them?
Oh, I've tried to send them but usually only my cyber friends get them now by email. I've several lovely cards but they've never left the house. One year, I even signed them, address them and they still sit in the box.
What is your favorite Christmas dish?
Cornbread stuffing and gravy ~ yes, I know not really a christmas dish but my fav.
Carolers are at your door. What do you do?
Open the door and sing along.
When do you open presents? Christmas eve or Christmas morning?
Actually its midnight, just after christmas eve and early christmas morning.
Do you celebrate with family or friends or both?
Mostly with family.

They're done....

Here they are ~ my 2nd pair of Not Pedestrian Peds. I love this pattern and I am very grateful to StitchnSnitch for this pattern. It has been a pleasure ~ very relaxing I might add too ~ to knit these up. I'm off to make another this time in a solid color though I managed to get pattern to lined up on both sock ~ cool huh?!

Finishing these off also was the end of the August KnK over at stashalong. I'm pleased that I managed to use up 7.75 skeins of yarn. I even gifted 1 skein of cotton w/needles to a newbie. That was fun. I think I need to dig through the stash and find some more karma ~ send it over to good yarn karma for sure. Here is a pic of what was left from all that knitting ~ pardon the pic new camera is needed. ;D

My color play vest ~ I'm knitting the back now finished right front yesterday. Working the first set of color. I believe that it will be done by Monday but not sure since I'm scheduled to work on Sunday, we'll see. Off to knit, watch OETA Movie club and eat chocolate. ;D