Camelot

new KALs

2011-03-27T08:44:00.000-05:00

been working on 2 fair isle sweaters/vests.. both are KALs - we will see how long I last.. The first is Mara vest by Alice Starmore, the 2nd is Bressay pullover by Anne Feitelson and the 3rd is Hillswick Lumber cardigan again by Anne F.

time away from blog

2011-02-21T18:48:00.000-06:00

Wow.. has it been that long since I've posted. Guess I've been bad about keeping up with the blog front. Several new mittens/gloves have been finished.. the sweater in my previous post has only a sleeve and a button band left and I have begun another one..

Knitting Olympics

2010-02-13T16:22:00.002-06:00

Ok, decided to take part in Ravelympics... joined the Starmore WIPdown team and am trying to finish the body of my Anne Boleyn. This sweater has 347 stitches per round and I have 156 rounds to complete. I will have to knit 10 rounds per day to finish the body by the end of the olympics. I managed to finish my 10 rounds last night and again today, but who knows what next week will bring and if my arm will hold out?

On sad news, a Georgian olympian was killed in an luge accident yesterday during practice. I watched the footage and it was horrific. My thoughts go out to his family and team-mates.

Neglect

2010-01-06T06:28:00.002-06:00

Sorry, I have been neglectful about posting. Didn't realize it had been almost a year since my last post. What has happended you ask? Well, my LYS closed this last summer but I have been able to enjoy Saturdays watching my alma matter the Iowa Hawkeyes enjoy a good season. Watching the games with friends has also been lots of fun, plus I have had more time to knit.

Speaking of Iowa Hawkeyes - CONGRATULATIONS ON WINNING THE ORANGE BOWL last night. Good game!

Got half of a sock knit - in Gypsy Fibers colorway Swarm (black/gold) during the game.

it's the small things...

2009-01-08T19:33:00.001-06:00

Man, I didn't realize how much we have come to rely on our computers...

Sunday after a long day with my family I wanted to catch up on email, etc, but my monitor went out and I have been without one until tonight. Talk about climbing the walls. I think it is like not having a car - you might not want to go somewhere, but just knowing you can makes all the difference in the world.

It definitely is the small things in life that makes it worth living, friends, email, forums, blogs and just catching up or playing solitare.

Holidays

2008-12-25T17:10:00.001-06:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and may the new year be full of wonderful things. I spent the day quietly knitting, drinking tea and listening to music.

another shawl

2008-09-30T19:31:00.001-05:00

The grey hap shawl is finished and drying on my bedroom floor - perfect timing since the weather is just starting to cool.

baby things...

2008-09-24T18:17:00.001-05:00

It has been a while since my last post, but here is a picture of an alien hat I made for my friend Amy - now off to finish baby surprise jacket and blanket for her.

newest shawl finished

2008-07-23T20:20:00.002-05:00

spring mystery shawl is done - now off to finishe the stole

returning...

2008-05-14T18:45:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow I will be returning to work. I was offered a job last week and now that the background check is done, will report for work tomorrow. Feels nice after being off since September.

updates...

2008-05-08T19:32:00.001-05:00

Ok, I know I have been bad at updating my blog, but there really hasn't been much to say...

Today, I finally was offered a job and will begin next week. I will pay taxes from escrows for Wells Fargo. This, ironically, is the same job I did when I first started in the mortgage business 13 years ago, so I guess I have come full circle.

lions, tigers and lace KALs oh my....

2008-04-08T21:52:00.001-05:00

Ok, somehow I began/joined 3 lace shawl/stole knit alongs which begin in the next 3 weeks. Only time will tell if I can keep up or not...

here they are...

2008-02-27T10:13:00.002-06:00

They are all done, finally... now off to Meghan so she can deliver them.

finito

2008-02-26T21:49:00.002-06:00

The koalas are done, here is a picture after they had been washed twice. They are completely felted now, but I need to stuff, sew them up and add bow ties still.

7 down... 5 to go

2008-02-18T16:43:00.002-06:00

Well, I have finished 7 Koalas and have 5 left. These take 6-8 hours total and my goal is to have them all done by next Sunday so I can felt them, give them time to dry so they can be stuffed and in the mail/post by 2/26. These are really cute, but 12 at once is a bit much. I just hope the guys in The Ten Tenors enjoy these.

one less...

2008-02-08T13:29:00.000-06:00

I have 2 less UFOs this week. Fist I finished a pair of DK weight socks for Lois at the LYS. I did these as a toe up which was my first try at this. I didn't get a picture before I took them to her as I thought she could use them since we got 9" of snow this week.

I also finished up the last of the Harry Potter Bookscarves... now I have a complete set, all the house colors with both styles of scarf..

Stay warm everyone!!

bordom setting in....

2008-01-23T18:40:00.000-06:00

Ok, I must be getting bored, baked cookies, made soup twice... gotta get outta here...

Brrr??? ha ha, I'm not cold

2008-01-15T17:59:00.000-06:00

Can you find the cat? Christine made a "bed" in amongst all of the quilts I have stacked up on the bed in my spare bedroom.

update on the menajerie

2007-12-30T11:10:00.000-06:00

The frog is for my brother in law, and the green hedgehog is for Amy, but the rest are all mine, my penguin and hedgehog are still living at the yarn shop.

blitzed...

2007-11-29T15:51:00.001-06:00

Gave the cats some cat nip the other day - this is Christine about an hour afterwards - she slept like that for about an hour. Pretty silly if you ask me.

Also, put up the tree - they really are enjoying "investigating" it.

the grinch that stole christmas

2007-11-26T16:34:00.001-06:00

Bah Humbug to the person who broke into my storage closet and stole most of my Christmas decorations. Lights, garland, ornaments, hand painted ceramics were all included. Wouldn't care except for the deer grandpa had made me (the last thing he did so) and the crochet tree top angel mom made (also the last thing she made for me) and several of my hand made ornaments which were cross stitch, needlepoint, tatting and crochet and the cross stitch table cloth mom had made.

Went to Walmart today and got more lights, garland and some ornaments. Will remake the angel since I have the pattern for it and redo a stocking, maybe knit this time since it will be faster.

takeovers...

2007-11-07T19:15:00.001-06:00

Ok, so the new couch has moved in and guess who have claimed it? Often there isn't any room left for me. Also, I started a new afghan to match the couch, but could I work on it tonight? Well, lets just say the picture tells it all.

update

2007-10-22T21:04:00.001-05:00

I have finished to baby sets to include quaker booties, quaker hat and Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Surprise sweater in the last few weeks. I also finished my french market bag and felted it at Amy's last week. Working on feather and fan baby blanket and adult surprise sweater still.

work no more...

2007-09-05T16:50:00.000-05:00

For those of you who know me, I have been very unhappy at work lately. Today, I was laid off due to volume. We have a 60 paid no work period, then we will get sevrence of 2 weeks for each year (13 years for me). Time to look for something new and in a new field (tired of mortgage)

picots

2007-08-28T09:01:00.001-05:00

I finally finished the ruffled fichu from the Fall Knitters on Sunday night. It is blocked. I didn't take a picture, but it is on display at the shop.

one hap down, two to go

2007-08-06T12:23:00.000-05:00

Finished my first hap shawl - this one is in browns, the other 2 will be in greys/blacks. If you want to see more of my knitting, most of it is on my picturetrail site... www.picturetrail.com/nrstooge

RIP - HPDH

2007-07-22T20:51:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I started last night at 5:30pm and finished at 2:30am - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is over and finished. Cried twice. Not telling anything on the book, but you may want to have tissues close by if you haven't read it yet.

Nancy

bad blogger...

2007-07-18T17:32:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I have been a bad blogger and haven't posted in a while. Updates... a few pairs of socks done - pictures to follow and am currently working on getting book scarves done before the Harry Potter book comes out in 2 days. I have to finish one Gryffindor, 2 Slytherin and 2 Hufflepuf still... Good news at the dentist today.. still no cavaties.. YEAH.

less of me....

2007-06-19T19:27:00.000-05:00

My personal trainer did another stress test on me today - last time in October when I was just starting I didn't even get through phase 1, my body fat index was 45% and my oxygen use was below 20 which is very poor. Today I almost got to phase 4, my bfi is 43% and my oxygen use is about 30% which is in the normal range. Not bad - but I intend on making those figures better by next fall. I have already gone down one size, but hope to get down another one by the end of summer. We have definitely upped the weights and the time on the treadmill for cardio.

So... long story - you will be seeing less of me.

Auto woes...

2007-05-30T19:52:00.000-05:00

The car went in for servicing today. It has been running rough and was due for oil so in it went. I didn't get it back tonight. They are finally fixing that gear shift problem (a screw driver has been in the over-ride for 2 years) was half of the repairs. I should get it back tomorrow sometime, but after about $1200. It is still cheaper than car payments and this car has low miles and is paid for (which is a good thing). It will feel better driving around knowing the car is in good shape though.

I also have to say... thank god for grandmas. :-)

BE greens - comparison

2007-05-09T13:43:00.000-05:00

ok, here are some new greens: Gracious, Socialite and Purrfect

Alpine boots, socks and other wips

2007-05-05T21:55:00.000-05:00

The alpine boots are done, just not felted, still working on the blue top down cardi in Galway and a pair of socks from Cherry Tree Hill in colorway Spring Frost - should have the toe of the first one done tomorrow... then off to the 2nd sock.

TTFN

another pair done...

2007-04-15T20:27:00.000-05:00

I have one less pair of socks to finish. These were started about 3 years ago so it is nice to have another pair done from the "too many" I have started over the years which are still on the needles.

yarn porn...

2007-03-23T15:23:00.000-05:00

My Lisa Souza sock yarns and Malabrigo lace weight came in this week... yummy stuff...

As a side note.. how can such a big boy get into such a tiny box? The amount of flexibility a cat has never ceases to amaze me... which I was that limber.

sweater almost finished

2007-03-16T23:21:00.000-05:00

The season spanners sweater is almost done. All the pieces are finished, just need to block and sew everything together. Hopefully it will be done this weekend. The weather has been perfect lately for this type of sweater so I'll get lots of use out of it. (see picture title "2 nights 2 balls for one of the pieces)

more on the zoo

2007-03-11T21:49:00.000-05:00

The Marigold Bear and the Hedgehog got felted this weekend and today they got their noses, eyes and stuffins...

The bunny and the penguin are residing at the yarn shop as models til Easter.

startitis...

2007-03-04T18:35:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I got startitis again today and cast on a new cardigan. It is a really easy pattern by Knitting Pure & Simple and is a top down V-neck cardigan. This color will be great with lots of things this spring.

Also, the storm last week didn't seem to affect Erik and Christine at all... they just did what comes naturally to a kitty in the afternoon...

winter wonderland?

2007-02-25T15:51:00.000-06:00

took this picture while looking out my sliding glass doors today. Under all that snow is a nice layer of ice as it rained for about 24 hours before it turned to snow.

the menajerie grows...

2007-02-20T19:45:00.000-06:00

The Bunny, Panda, Penguin are now complete. The Panda is a gift. The hedgehog has been started and I am almost finished with the front and I am mostly finished with the Marigold Bear (larger bear).

more on the zoo...

2007-02-05T11:43:00.000-06:00

The bunny is finished being knitted, sewn up and just needs felting. I am now working on the "surprise" for a friend and should have the front done today, the back tomorrow so it will be ready to felt by Wednesday.

new stuffins, etc

2007-02-03T20:56:00.000-06:00

the Koala got new larger eyes today... they are much more appropriate than the smaller ones... it did mean had had to do surgery, open him up, remove everything, take out the old eyes, then replacen everything. Needless to say, he came out of it perfectly. Also, the baby Pooh bear is done.

not sure...

2007-02-01T21:14:00.000-06:00

Ok, I think this is supposed to be a cat (no not the one on the right, the one on the left...)

Not so sure.. maybe the 2nd one will be better...

2 nights & 2 balls

2007-01-23T21:23:00.000-06:00

I began the "season spanners" sweater from the Knitters, a dozen bags yesterday. I am working it in Merino Otto - great yarn. So, after 2 nights and 2 balls of yarn, this is the result - 14" done on the back already - this will be one of those "quickies"

too cute

2007-01-06T17:55:00.000-06:00

felted Koala is done.. now I just need to find a place for him.. maybe in one of my plants?

Koala

2007-01-02T22:32:00.000-06:00

Finished knitting the koala bear tonight - now he just needs felted, then the eyes and stuffing added once he is dry.

2006-12-27T17:56:00.000-06:00

remember those unfelted slippers from a few weeks ago? Well, here is one of the pair finished, it is about 9 1/2 inches long once felted.

Happy Holidays

2006-12-25T12:45:00.000-06:00

To all my on-line friends, hope you had a wonderful holiday. I spent most of yesterday with my sister and her husband. The best surprise was a webcam conference with my niece Mary who is in Japan. We got to open presents from eachother together via the web.. how cool is that?

It's a..

2006-12-20T00:02:00.000-06:00

coin purse. Finished it tonight. This one is for me. YEAH.

Am I crazy?

2006-12-18T22:15:00.000-06:00

I am doing another coin purse on 0000 needles, beads and #8 perle cotton. Luckily I am on the second half of it already.

Christmas knitting isn't done either, still have the lace scarf to complete, but at least I have until 12/31 to finish it.

are they dry yet???

2006-12-07T22:20:00.000-06:00

Well, all 3 pairs of felted slippers were done last Sunday. My friend Amy let me come over and user her washer last Sunday night to felt them. They are still wet on the inside, so I guess I didn't get enough of the water out of them. They are in front of a fan and hopefully they will by dry by tomorrow night so I can put the bottoms on them.

3 out of 5

2006-11-29T12:58:00.000-06:00

Well, I have 2 pairs of felted clogs knit which are christmas presents. They aren't felted yet, so they look like they will fit the Jolly Green Giant at the moment.

They will felt to about 10" long when washed.

Also finished the Christmas stocking for Macy. She is the grandaughter of my granmother's nephew - not sure what that makes her to me, but she needed a stocking. Her mom's stocking is next to it, so I could make sure it is about the same size.

Only a pair of clogs and a lace scarf left to knit before Christmas.

pic of grandma's birthday

2006-11-23T16:51:00.000-06:00

This was taken at the dinner theater. We went to see "It's A Wonderful Life". We went in celebration of grandma's 86th birthday.

honey, I'm home...

2006-11-15T16:49:00.000-06:00

Just got back from visiting grandma this afternoon. I arrived in Cincinnati last Thursday to find her much changed from a year ago. She has fallen 6 times in the last 8 weeks and is much more disoriented and her short term memory is worse. We may be looking at a nursing home soon if she continues to fall.

On the good front, we saw the musical "It's a Wonderful Life", shopped til we dropped and I only came home with 2 small bags of yarn - but still managed to spend over $70 - go figure.

Talk to everyone later.

2006-11-06T21:14:00.000-06:00

Will spend the next few days getting ready for my trip to visit Grandma in Cincinnati. Have knitting projects planned, arrangement for kitties and the only thing that is left is packing.

See you all mid next week when I get back.

another one bites the dust

2006-10-14T19:58:00.000-05:00

Grant Avenue vest is done. Christine doesn't look impressed.

ouch....

2006-09-29T21:27:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I had my first session with a personal trainer tonight. My muscles didn't know exactly what they were supposed to be doing - think they were saying "you want me to do what?". Anyway, coming from a long time couch potato, my mind as decided it is time to get back in shape (or at least better shape than I am currently in) so I joined a fitness club and hired a personal trainer. Tonight was to test to see where I am physically at this point - then they gave me a routine to work on my own during the week. The goal is - you will be seeing less of me in the future.

gate and ladder finished

2006-09-12T19:18:00.000-05:00

Erik and Christine had to help me block my Gate and Ladder shawl. Knit in Frog Tree sport weight alpaca, it will be very warm and with the cool days we have had lately, it will be a welcome addition.

2006-09-07T19:06:00.000-05:00

caught them playing the other night - think they like eachother? One grooms the other, then the favor is returned, then they argue about who gets to groom whom...

On the knitting front, trying to finish my circular teal alpaca shawl - less than 10 rows to go...

2006-09-04T15:05:00.000-05:00

Spent all night Saturday, Sunday and most of today trying to finish a sport weight alpaca shawl from Knitted Lace Shawls called Gate and Ladder. It is a real easy pattern and has a 2 row repeat for the entire thing - I needed a no-brainer this weekend. I have about 12 rows left before I can cast off (Yeah)

kitty/plant no nos...

2006-08-24T20:16:00.000-05:00

I got another basket of plants today from my co-workers - thought I had better see what they were and if they are poisonous to the cats. Guess what, according to Cat Fanciers Association Inc, almost all the plants in my house are bad for the kitties. Guess I will have to make sure they don't munch on any of them. (Yep, that includes the one from Knitwits as anything in the Lily family is bad)

Kitty love?

2006-08-21T18:28:00.000-05:00

Wish I had a picture of this, but yesterday Erik was sitting and Christine came along and rubbed up against him, he put his paw around her and started licking her ear like he was hugging and kissing her... Cutest thing... just a shame I didn't get it on film.

Here she is!!

2006-08-09T20:53:00.000-05:00

Thought I'd post a picture of the new girl in the family. She doesn't have a name yet, but I'm working on it.
She is about half the size of Erik. So far, some growling and hissing, but only on Erik's part. He now just gets up higher than her and watches.

new additions...

2006-08-08T20:11:00.000-05:00

Tonight, my household became 1 larger. A new kitty came to live with us. After the intial sniffing, she is separated in my bedroom. I will introduce her to Erik at little at a time. At the moment, she is hiding under my bed. I'll get a picture of her as soon as she comes out.

Now, just need to think of a new name for her. Her current name is "Garage Kitty" - not very befitting a pretty grey and white lady. Perhaps a "Christine" to go with "Erik" (in case anyone didn't know, Erik is the Phantom of the Opera's real name - read the book)

What next?

2006-07-30T16:53:00.000-05:00

I have time for one more lace project before it gets cooler and I go back to sweaters. I couldn't make up my mind, so I let my fellow Knitwits decide for me. They chose one I had already started plus the next project after that I am to work on. What you see here is the 1st of 8 repeats - so it is 1/8th done already. No border either, yeah.. What would we do with out our friends and enablers?

Days are back in the upper 90's again so I put the air on. Makes it a bit easier to knit that way.

drying time..

2006-07-21T11:38:00.000-05:00

The Shetland tea shawl is done and blocked. It is supposed to be circular, but I'm not good at getting things round. When my blockers come it, I will re-do it so it looks better. It isn't perfect, but at least it is done and nobody will really notice the mistakes (I hope)

If it is dry, I'll bring it to show my fellow Knitwits tonight when we meet.

boiling points...

2006-07-16T21:39:00.000-05:00

Well, the weather has finally reached the point where I turned on the air conditioner. After spending 2 days out in 90+ degree weather, I decided I couldn't stand it anymore and turned on the air today. It is one of those window ones so it doesn't do the best job, but it is better than nothing.

Erik is VERY happy with my decision as he kept laying in front of the fridge every time I opened the door (think he was hinting at something)

Anyway, it is still too hot to knit on anything.

2006-07-11T19:23:00.000-05:00

After talking with my mom's half brother who is an art professor and artist living in the Detroit area today, I realized I had several sweaters that I have not posted on my picturetrail. The socks are all there now as are the sweaters.

go to www.picturetrail.com/nrstooge

Still working on the border of the Shetland Tea Shawl, but I am about half way done

TTFN

Happy 4th

2006-07-04T21:14:00.000-05:00

I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon than grilling out with the friends. Friday night found the Knitwits up late knitting away at Amy's house, then back to her house again today for the festivities.

Now, if the ice cream would just get finished turning, I could have another desert (already had ice cream and apple crisp at the picnic - yum) Oh well, I have my knitting to keep me busy until then.

a day in the life...

2006-06-21T21:37:00.000-05:00

of Erik... OHHH, to be so lucky to lounge on my newly finished 8 hour afghan ..

He has been spending the hot summer days napping away.

In the meantime, I managed to get the Shetland tea shawl knit to where I have to put on the border to cast off the edges, mom had a stroke, and grandma came to visit.

tink, tink tink... where is my lifeline

2006-06-06T08:30:00.000-05:00

Sunday night caught me tinking my shawl.. 574 stitches for 2 rows back down to a knit only row that I could see the stitches easily (not the best thing to do with black yarn). I have since added a lifeline to my knitting, which is the light colored yarn running through all of my stitches. That way if I make a mistake, I can frog back to that and the thread will catch all stitches, even the yarn overs and decreases in lace.... why didn't I know about this sooner (LOL)

I'm back...

2006-05-26T18:53:00.000-05:00

Well, I am back from Chicago. You can see me on the left side of Michael (just behind his shoulder). I managed to get his autograph (yeah).

I was supposed to be home yesterday, but got home early this morning due to a flight cancellation, but fun was had by all.

I can safely say "there's no place like home" at this point in time.

The up side (besides seing Michael Crawford in concert) was that I got several rows done on my shetland tea shawl while in the hotel room yesterday.

Startitis..

2006-05-12T00:24:00.000-05:00

I fell pray to startitis again this week. This time it is a lace shawl. I enjoy knitting lace in the summer since I don't run the air and heavy sweaters are just too hot to work with.
This is the Shetland Tea Shawl from Gathering of Lace. It currently has 290 stitches in a round, but will get to 574 stitches before I am done, then I get to knit on the border taking off one stitch for every 2 rows of border pattern. Eeek... maybe the men with the funny white coats will need to come and get me before I am finished.

2006-05-07T15:26:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I really wanted to work on my Starmore Grant Avenue vest, but unfortunately, Eric had a different idea. He seems to think this is his bed. Guess I'll have to work on my Sally's favorite sweater, which are the rose colored balls next to him.

Here it is

2006-05-01T22:33:00.000-05:00

Attached is the finished picture of my shawl. This is my first attemp at taking a picture with my new camera, so it isn't very good, but you get the idea of it.

finis...

2006-04-30T22:17:00.000-05:00

Whew. Just finished the shawl.

I will post a full picture when I get a digital camera later this week.

Now I can go back to Sally's favorite sweater, my Griffyndor GOF scarf and a pair of socks for a friend.

TTFN

Nancy

Will it be done in time?

2006-04-07T21:06:00.000-05:00

Today... I finally decided I needed to finish a beaded crochet shawl in time for my trip to Chicago. You never know if it will be cool inside the theater or not, so I like to take a shawl with me just in case.

I am working on a black lace weight mohair with dark purple beads (they look black in the picture). Overall this will be 60" long and about 18" wide. The red one is the picture from the book.

The big question... will it be done in time? Time will only tell....

Concert time....

2006-04-05T18:31:00.000-05:00

I just found out this week I will be able to attend a concert for one of my favorite performers Michael Crawford at the end of May. Have spent the last 2 days purchasing my ticket, making hotel plans with friends and looking for flights.

Then... drat (LOL) I will have to go shopping for a outfit as this is the opening gala for the newly refurbished LaSalle Bank Theater.. so definitely time to get out the snazzy clothes.

I'll let everyone know how it was when I get back.

It begins...

2006-03-26T18:13:00.000-06:00

Currently on the knitting front: In addition to several socks, and an Alice Starmore vest, my current item is the most recent Harry Potter Scarf. I am knitting it from Knitpicks Merino DK and will post a picture when I am done (I don't have a digital camera and it is too large to scan at the moment). Not sure I will use this yarn for a sweater as it seems to fuzz and fray easily but it will be ok for a scarf.

Erik, my kitty enjoys laying in whatever I am working on at the moment, or even laying in my bag. You can see more pictures of my knitting on my picturetrail site: www.picturetrail.com/nrstooge

Happy knitting everyone.

Nancy