LIFE IS GOOD......

Thanks for the pic Lizzytish!

HOPPING OFF THE NEEDLES THIS WEEK........

Dale of Norway did it again!! An adorable froggy on the front with a worm on the back. I love the pattern and styling of these great baby sweaters!! Here is a face only the cutest of grandbabies could wear!

His friend the worm on the back.

Knit on size one needles with Baby Ull Yarn.

SPARTAN PULLOVER

Hubby has a new sweater!! This is the Spartan Pullover from the Fall 2006 Interweave Knits. A great pattern, easy knit, with easy to follow instructions.



I just had to try Knit Picks Swish Superwash yarn - so I put it to work on this pattern. A soft 100% superwash wool that feels just great! This sweater is done in Coast Grey with a lighter color for the Fair Isle portion. This yarn is a wonderful yarn to work with except for one problem: It is unforgiving. You can see every tension change and small glitch in your knitting.

Hubby is excited to have another new sweater but really loves my Kangaroo Pouch sweater - Maybe he can have one for Christmas.........stay tuned!

I'M DREAMING OF.......

A WHITE HALLOWEEN? This morning, we awoke to the first snow of the season.

THE MORE I KNIT .............

I am trying desperately to finish 2 sweaters and the more that I knit them - the more there seems to be to knit. I keep thinking that I am getting closer to the finish when it seems that I just have soooooo much more yarn and pattern to complete.
Hubby's sweater's last sleeve just seems to go on and on and on and the latest baby Dale of Norway sweater is on size one needles.......I don't have to say any more do I?
So today you get YARN!! I found the top yarn at a cute little store in Vermont and it is anxiously awaiting the needles. Supersoft merino sock yarn.....MMMMMMMM.......I want to start them so badly that I swear the yarn gets closer and closer to my favorite knitting space everyday - Is it magic or am I just petting it too much? OOOOOH how I want to start these socks!
The yarn below is a Lambs Pride Yarn that is going to become a Christmas present! The color is Peacock Blue and there will be more pics after December 25.

All of my longing to finish projects had to take a break this week because I finally broke down and bought Mason Dixon Knitting. I just had to make a dishcloth!
All this angst because I promised myself not to have more than 3 projects on the needles at one time! I must curb my enthusiasm and be just a little more sensible - BAH..I think I'll start the socks!

KANGAROO SWEATER DONE!!

IT'S DONE!!!! YAHOOOOOOOO!!! This poor yarn has been through many a trial and tribulation - I just couldn't decide what it needed to be! It has been 8 different sweaters - all ditched due to lack of the correct pattern. Finally, I found a sweater that did justice to the yarn. Sirdar Aran Denim yarn in beige with flecks of brown, black and grey. It is gorgeous yarn but alas it just needed the right venue to show off it's luciousness.
I have wanted a huge comfy warm sweater (this is way too big on me) with super long sleeves for Fall days just like today. It has a great kangaroo pocket in the front and the hood is just as warm as toast.


I will admit that at times I felt like I was knitting a tent - So much of the same color without fair isle or cables. I think that the finished sweater will serve me well on cold New Hampshire walks. What do you think?
Pattern is from Book 2: The Purl Stitch by Sally Melville and is called the Kangaroo Duo. Easy to follow instructions with lots of options for sizing from little kids to size 2X.
Yarn Sirdar Denim Aran in color 0607
Size 6 needles (what was I thinking?)

LIZARD RIDGE

A sneek peak of things to come! I couldn't resist Lizard Ridge from Knitty's Fall Edition. Worked in short rows in Noro Kuryeon, it is a blast to work on! The color work and not knowing how it will look until the next section is done is like reading a really good mystery novel! A surprise at every turn.
Darling Daughter and Son-in Law were here this weekend and want it for Christmas. Hubby got a little animated at the thought and said, " That afghan is going nowhere!". After they left for home, DH mentioned twice that he really liked it and was hoping that we could keep it for ourselves. HEEHEE! He is so damned cute! I think I will have to keep him and get busy making 2 afghans instead of 1.

WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO........

I finished my first pair of mittens! A gorgeous pair of Gansey mittens knitted in Classic Elite. They are just too soft for words! A moss stitch with twisted cables - they were so much fun to make - I will admit that the pattern was for gloves but I chickened out and turned them into mittens! They almost make me wish for winter!
I picked up this knitting stand at a little antique shop in Vermont for $3.50. The fabric was falling apart and the inside was badly water stained. I had picked up some great fabric at JoAnns on sale and knew that I could recover it with a little patience and a lot of hand sewing.




Didn't it turn out great? I love the greens and pinks with a retro kind of print. It is now holding an unfinished sweater for hubby next to the couch where I knit. I have a few more of these stands and think that I will recover them all - A few great Christmas presents for my knitting buddies!



I just love the butterflies on this print with the green and pink paisley!




Hubby and I finished up his vacation with a cooking marathon. We visited the King Arthur Baking Store while we were in Vermont and picked up a load of new cooking tools. We love to cook for the family at big gatherings and love to try new recipes! We had pork roast with a port wine and mission fig sauce on this night - It was yummy!