Knitting Frenzy

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2008-12-25T18:47:00.003-06:00

I haven't posted in forever...things have been VERY busy...but I have a new computer and I've been knitting a bunch so hopefully I can back on track with the blogging. Our news for the new year is that my husband is going to be deployed to Iraq in June...I'm going to try to get back in the habit of blogging on a regular basis so he will have a way to keep up with the news of us here at home while he's away...

One of the fun things we've done the past few months was attend the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the church my brother and I grew up in. It's Calvary United Protestant Church in Park Forest, IL and we had a wonderful weekend with our parents reminiscing with old friends.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday with their families!!!! My New Year's resolution is to blog on a regular basis! Wish me luck!!

Laura

Another Finished Project!

2008-05-20T20:49:00.003-05:00

I finished something!!! This is my finished Mystery Shawl 7. I'm not as good at wonderful creative pictures as some people are. I absolutely love this pattern and the way it turned out. It doesn't have a home yet...don't know if it will be leaving this home yet! As I said in my last post, I'm currently knitting lots of lace so hopefully there will be more pictures like this throughout the summer.

I heard from my Target in Sock Wars 3. She recieved her socks and was most gracious. A lot of us had problems with the pattern and of course, her socks were too big, but she loved the yarn and colors. One of my goals with the swaps and wars and KALs is to meet new people who share a passion for knitting and make new friends and I achieved that goal with Sock Wars (despite the negativity that is rampant on the boards).

What's going on in my life besides knitting, you ask? I'm still trying to stick to WeightWatchers and have a great group of online gals who are very supportive (and like to knit, go figure!). I need to get more active...I tell myself that today's the day, every morning and by the time the kid's are in bed at night I'm saying, "tomorrow's the day"...

I keep telling my DH he just needs to win the lottery so I can stay home, take care of the house, myself and knit...oh well...

'Til next time!

Laura

Stash and Projects

2008-05-18T16:33:00.006-05:00

I've been roaming around on Ravelry and it's very addictive! My knitting buddy, Holly, warned me and I foolishly went and roamed anyway! It did get me motivated to log some of my stash and WIP's though.

I was signed up for Sock Wars 3 and just mailed off my first pair of socks to my target yesterday...I, of course, neglected to take a picture of them so we'll have to wait and she if she posts a picture once she recieves them. Once she gets her socks she has to package up the socks she was working on and send them to me to finish for her target. As long as I haven't recieved any socks from my "assassin" I'm still alive and can continue to knit socks. I haven't heard a thing from my assassin so I'm assuming I'm still safe!

I'm also participating in several lace shawl KALs...here's some pics of the works in progress. The Lace Mystery shawl has only had one clue released and it looks like this:

I'm using Jaggerspun Zephyr 2/18 in Daffodil with gold lined clear size 8 beads.

I'm also working on the Mystic Light KAL. It uses fingering weight, which is much different to knit a shawl with than lace weight, but I love the way it's turning out...I'm currently on Clue 3 and the pattern has 5 clue total. I'm using Koigu in a burnt orange colorway (It's supposed to remind you of fire).

My third work in progress is the Slow-Bee Mystery Shawl. It calls for 3000 yds of laceweight yarn and 3000 beads...I'm using Jaggerspun Zephyr 2/24 (I was hoping to keep it from being a queen size blanket!) and I'm not sure I like the fabric I'm getting, but here's a look...I'm only about 1/3 way through the first clue.

That's what I've been up to! I'm going to log projects and stash on Ravelry now too, so if you want you can check me out there...I'm Lknits.

'Til next time!

Laura

It's Been A LONG time

2008-05-03T19:03:00.005-05:00

Okay, okay...I admit it...I've been extremely lax in posting. Things have been very busy...we built a new house and moved in. We moved on Thanksgiving Day 2007 and had dinner for the family (12 people) on Saturday...not bad if I do say so myself.

I also changed jobs and I don't have the internet access during the day that I used to have so that has slowed me down too. DS#1 lacerated his spleen in January and spent several days in Riley Children's Hospital

I've become addicted to lace and lace mystery shawls. My first lace project was the Swallowtail Shawl from Interweave Knits (see pic). I gave the shawl to my sister-in-law for her birthday. I also finished "Swan Lake" from Pink Lemon Twist.

The other KAL's I have on the needles currently are The Mystery Shawl 2008, Mystic Waters, Mystic Light, and Spring Mystery Shawl. The new ones starting soon are Casablanca, Goddess Knits Anniversary Shawl, Slow-Bee Mystery and Slow-Bee Mystery 2.

I will try to be better about blogging and I will find DS#1's digital camera and get some pictures of my WIPs and post soon.

Now I'm going to make a cup of tea, enjoy my very quiet house (all the "boys" are out for the evening) and knit!

See you next time! Laura

More Bragging

2007-05-20T12:11:00.001-05:00

DH just finished his two weeks of Annual Training with the Indiana National Guard. He is a helicopter pilot and today is Armed Services Day. This weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Indy 500) the National Guard had their helicopters on display. We spent yesterday wandering around the track, watching qualifications and hanging out with the guys and their "birds." It was very nice to be walking around the Speedway with DH in his flightsuit and having people come up to him and thank him for his service to his country. People do support our troops! If they only knew he was also a firefighter too! DD calls him the "ultimate do-gooder!" and we are very proud that he is!

Part of our day yesterday was spent watching the qualifications runs for the Indy 500. Alex Barron qualified to start in the 9th row. Being up close and personal with these machines makes you really appreciate what it takes to run this race...220 miles an hour is amazing to watch!

On the knitting front, I struggled all week with some socks...I finished one, the second one came out nothing like the first so I ended up frogging them both...I've got some better sock yarn and a different pattern that I will be trying sometime soon...In the meantime, I relaxed and got rid of my sock frustration by working on the Lady Eleanor shawl I am making for myself!

Until next time!

Laura

Bragging Rights

2007-05-08T15:36:00.000-05:00

Here's two out of the three kiddos....I promised a baseball picture from yesterday's game, but they lost and they didn't play that great and Eric was not in the mood to have his picture taken! So this is a picture from last year's season. My dad took this one. He's a much better photographer than I am, as you can tell. Eric's self-portrait is next to his baseball picture. He's a fun loving 14 year old and despite his hormonal moods he's a pretty great kid! He called a little bit ago and said "Mom, my homework's done, can I ride my bike up to Dairy Queen with Alex?" Oh, to be young and carefree like that again!!! I wish I could impress upon them how they need to cherish these moments and times in their lives...unfortunately, you don't realize how great being a kid is until you aren't anymore....

This is DS#2, Mark...he's got a personality just like his picture...sunny and fun. He's not in the least competitive so sports are not his thing...give him a book, a jigsaw puzzle, some Legos or a video game and he's a happy camper. He's very insightful and astonishes me sometimes with his wisdom...he's wise beyond his 13 years...

As Mother's Day approaches I realize that they aren't going to be around (at least living in the same house) very much longer. I'm sure the next five years are going to fly by and all my kiddos will be gone. Having one in college hasn't been that hard to adjust to, probably because she is good about calling and e-mailing and there are still two at home...the next one will be harder and the third will be harder still...so despite the trials and tribulations of adolescence I deal with on a daily basis, my kids are wonderful human beings and I'm very proud of all three of them.

Amazing...nothing about knitting in this one!

Progress!

2007-05-07T14:54:00.000-05:00

I've been splitting my knitting time every day. I work on Mother's Day gifts for awhile, then I do a repeat on brother's aran and then I do a tier on the Lady Eleanor. I feel like I have a lot going on but it also feels like I'm stuck...I'm not seeing lots of progress on any one thing! I do love the way the Noro knits up into lovely rectangles!

My DH is gone for two weeks (active training with the National Guard)...It's been a long time since I've been a single parent and I'm not looking forward to it. He's usually home after school so homework is done and dinner's on the stove when I get home from work. The next two weeks it's up to me...and I have to cook! The boys aren't thrilled at that prospect either! I will definitely have to knit a few rows in the evening to save my sanity! Can you tell I'm feeling sorry for myself? Everyone keeps saying "Won't it be nice to have a break?" It's not a break! Not only will I miss him, but he does so much around the house (unlike a lot of husbands, I guess) and the boys and I depend on him for so much that it will be a busy two weeks for me. I have to do a much better job of planning out the day to make sure that everything gets done!

DS#1 has a baseball game tonight and the weather is beautiful. I'm going to try to get some good pictures at the game and hopefully will have pictures plus news of a win to post tomorrow!

For Me?! KAL

2007-04-30T19:11:00.000-05:00

I've joined a KAL to make something for myself. The first project is a shawl or scarf. I won 10 skeins of Noro Silk Garden in the 245 colorway on eBay and have my pattern all picked out. I'm going to make a Lady Eleanor shawl for myself. I love the look of entrelac and can't wait to get started. Tomorrow is our cast-on day and I'm ready to go!

Mother's Day

2007-04-29T20:39:00.000-05:00

I can post this picture of my Mom's Mother's Day gift because I found out yesterday that my Dad doesn't share the things I send him via e-mail with my Mom! I just assumed, and I know I shouldn't assume (the ass out of you and me adage), my Dad would share the family news about the grandkids and such with my Mom...I was wrong! Talking with Mom last night on the phone I found out that she knew nothing about DS#1's grant writing project or the resulting award...wonder what else she's missed out on recently. Note to self...after I send the e-mail to the rest of the family with news, call Mom personally...

I made the Moss Grid Towel from Mason-Dixon Knitting for Mom for Mother's Day. I used size #5 needles and Knitpick's Cotlin yarn. The towel took 2 1/2 skeins, leaving me with just enough to make a small moss stitch washcloth. They still need to be washed and blocked, but posed for this pretty picture this afternoon.

Mom also FINALLY retired! Yesterday was her last day and she and Dad left on much needed vacation to the east coast this morning. It's Dad hope that there will be many more trips in their future. He's been retired for almost 8 years and he's been after Mom to follow suit since day one. At 74 I think she's earned her retirement....it's been a hard decision for her though...she's one of those wonderful people who is happiest when she's helping someone else. She's active in her church, her philanthropic and education sororities, civic organizations and I hope they all appreciate the amount of time and love she puts into everything she does.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

I'm addicted to dishcloths

2007-04-26T15:11:00.000-05:00

Once you start on dishcloths, you can't stop! They are quick, fun, you don't get bored before you finish one and the gratification you get from finishing a project comes often and quick! Remember my WW group that did the scarf exchange (and does the prayer shawls)? We did a dishcloth exchange and I was hooked! I now belong to two dishcloth KALs and am always on the lookout for cotton yarn on sale! This is one of my favorite patterns. The garter ridges make a wonderful "scrubbing" surface for the dishcloth.

Just to let you know how nuts I really am...In addition to the dishcloth KALS, I am also participating in the International Tote Exchange IV, I am currently working on some Mother's Day gifts (can't tell too much...certain people read this blog!), I am also participating in the ForMe?! KAL and have my Noro Silk Garden and needles ready to start a Lady Eleanor shawl for myself. Not to mention the aran sweater I have on the needles for my dear brother to go with his kilt. I'm sure there will be more projects added to the WIP list before long!

Knitting helps keep me sane and calm, just ask my kids! Things are getting busy around our house. Our oldest son (14 yr old) plays baseball, so many evenings and Saturday mornings are spent at the ballpark. Both boys are usually on the run from one friend's house to another, back to ours (one of the perks of living in suburbia...my kids can run around the neighborhood like I did when I was a kid). School will be out in another 5 weeks and I'm sure that will only increase the busyness! My DH is in the National Guard and has two weeks active duty starting in a week and half so I'll get to be a single parent for a couple of weeks too! Think of all the knitting I'll have to do to stay sane then!?!

I'm going to try to be better about posting more regularly and Tote Exchange and the ForMe?! KAL will help hold me accountable for that.

See ya next time!

It's been awile and I've got to brag!

2007-04-16T15:31:00.000-05:00

I know, I know...I haven't posted in a while...I've been negligent in taking pictures of knitting projects, writing, just about everything (except laundry, I can't be negligent about that!)

I've finished numerous dishcloths and have become addicted to dishcloth knitting...thanks to a dishcloth exchange with my wonderful WW friends....I will try to post pictures tonight!

I made a simple aran sweater for my nephew to go with his kilt (my family is very Scottish) and of course, forgot to take a picture...have to see if I can coerce dear brother into taking one of nephew in kilt and sweater?!

Now onto the bragging...DS#1 (the one in the striped shirt) is a typical smart mouth 14 year old and drives us crazy alot of the time. But....he was part of a team that wrote a grant to get $$ for their Teen Leaders group at the YMCA's community service project. They had to present to the local YMCA Board, the United Way Board and received the grant! Yesterday was the award ceremony. The adult leader for the group couldn't attend at the last minute so DS#1 volunteered to speak. He got up and described their grant project with no notes and no preparation...we were very proud and he really surprised us with his confidence and maturity!!! We are doing something right as parents!!!

Scarfs!

2007-02-15T15:09:00.000-06:00

I've managed to knit quite a bit the last few days! Of course, 12 inches of snow and ice didn't hurt...managed to get the car out this morning and the kids finally had school today! I'm having serious withdrawl issues after having two full days of being able to pick up my knitting whenever the fancy struck me.

My WW online group organized a scarf exchange amongst ourselves. Everyone had their secret pal they made a scarf for and as the deadline approached we all got downright giddy trying to figure out who was making a scarf for us. Packages started arriving prior to the deadline and it was very difficult not to peek until the "open date"! I received the most beautiful, cream-colored basketweave scarf. It was accompanied by a lovely note and some wonderful hand lotion. The note revealed that the middle part of the scarf was knit on the beach in Florida so there were nice warm beach vibes included in the stitches. It was a lovely surprise, especially since it was opened on the day we were stuck in the house under a blizzard warning.

Our next exchange is going to be a dishcloth exchange and I can't wait. It is such fun to knit for someone who really appreciates every stitch. We've all noticed that knitting for our online friends is helping us to "push our own envelopes". We are all trying new patterns and new techniques and learning and having such fun!

Tomorrow - baby gifts to share!

Laura

Prayers

2007-02-07T10:35:00.000-06:00

My best friend is having surgery today...she has cervical cancer. I'm saying lots of prayers and thinking about her alot. When we found out about the cancer I immediately started a Prayer Shawl for her. I've made several of these and they are just as cathargic for me as they are for the recipient. The hours spent knitting and praying give you wonderful insight into life and the person you are.

This is shawl I made one for my dear sister-in-law when she was dealing with her husband passing away and my WW knitting group (my wonderful online friends!) has made three (now working on 4 and 5) shawls for members friends and charities. I'm sure they'll be more shawls in my future and while sometimes it's hard to deal with the reason you're making one, while your knitting one you feel like you can get through anything!

Please keep my wonderful friend in your prayers (and three kids and family)...

Laura

Why Knitting Frenzy?

2007-01-19T10:49:00.000-06:00

Very proud of my ability to start this blog myself, I showed my "product" to my dear husband. He patted me on the back while saying "why Knitting Frenzy, you claim knitting calms you down?"...

Good question! The act of knitting does keep me calm and nothing is a better sleep aid than a few rows before bed. The knitting frenzy is the ideas and the projects and thoughts about knitting that run around in my head every day. I could spend the entire day knitting, shopping for yarn and patterns and be perfectly happy. Unfortunately the family, the house and my checkbook would suffer greatly! So, I knit when I can and put up with my mind going a mile a minute most days with knitting thoughts.

What better place to start then the beginning. My dad taught me to knit. His mom taught him. When I was kid growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, my dad rode the "IC" (Illinois Central Railroad) downtown everyday. He had his mom teach him how to knit so that he could pass the time on the train commute everyday. Of course, once he learned and was making beautiful aran sweaters (the first one he made me was a beautiful cable pattern in a subtle rose color), I just had to learn. I didn't knit much in college, but once I was out and working on my own, I picked it up again. I was so pleased the first time I made a sweater that actually fit and I could wear it (everything they say about gauge is absolutley true!!!). Cleaning out the spare bedroom closet the other night, I found that first sweater...here it is. All I can say is I was young and adventerous when I made this...perhaps I should be adventerous again?!

Laura

It's a Start!

2007-01-18T15:02:00.000-06:00

Welcome to my ramblings!

I love to knit and I'm part of a wonderful group of gals with WeightWatchers who also love to knit. We cheer each other up and support each other daily in our knitting and weight loss adventures. I've never met the gals in person, but each one is special! We knit prayer shawls for folks in need. We each knit our rows, package the shawl up and send it on to one of the other gals for her to add her rows. Our shawls travel all over the country...we are very diverse group...and then end up around the shoulders of someone who is hurting and in need of the comfort only prayers can bring.

I'll share my knitting adventures (and mis-adventures) along with tidbits of my family (they are usually good for a story or two at least a couple of times a week!)

Here goes!!!

Laura