Bron's Blog II

Here's Where the Random Thoughts Come In...

....but rest assured, you dodged the big bullet!

First, please let me get something off my chest: in my humble opinion, Windows XP is a cr*p operating system that never should've gotten off the drawing board. It has more holes than Swiss cheese & is open to every Tom, Dick & Harry piece of spyware s**t dreamed up by pimply adolescent computer geeks with attitude. And whatever you do...never, EVER....update!

I dare ya to ask me how I came to this informed opinion...I double-dog dare ya.

Whew! I feel better now. :::Grin:::

The big bullet I'm referring to is a rant (another one!) that I had written out in WordPerfect this morning. But after writing it then walking away for awhile, I decided that the acts of writing & reading were cathartic enough, I didn't need to share the finished product.

Sometimes I wish one or two other bloggers felt the same way. :::wink:::

Now - on to knit stuff. Here's the cool new book I've been hinting about:

What can I say - I love Melissa Leapman's stuff. Lots of classic designs in here ....although a few I wouldn't consider wearing at my age. I have a :::cough::: couple of issues with :::cough::::gravity. :::Grin:::

However, I really, really like this one:

Straps that cover other straps, a neckline high enough to cover my :::cough::: gravitational issues, and very cool, flowing knitting lines. That's a definite knit next spring. There are several other sweaters in there that caught my eye...but they have to take a backseat until a few other projects of mine are complete.

Here's the deal on the stash sale. I've been going through & rearranging quite a bit of my yarn & found some that I'll never, ever use. So - instead of listing on eBay right away, I decided to let you know what I'm destashing just in case one or two of you might have a use for it. Over in the "Photo Albums" category you'll be seeing a "Stash Sale" soon. I'll upload pics, descriptions & price. I also have a few books I'd like to pass along - I'll take pics of those & get them uploaded before I leave. Oh - PayPal is my fav way to buy/sell, but I can be talked into taking a check. :)

Speaking of destashing, I won another 6 skeins of Araucania Nature Cotton in "Tobacco" from a fellow blogger. I'm so excited! It's impossible to buy anywhere on line & to find an auction with the exact color I needed was a godsend. Thanks for pointing it out to me Bliss! I'm definitely going to make the biggest, roomiest, comfiest cardi I can with all that lovely cotton.

Knit on!

Welcome back my friends,

To the show that never ends
We're so glad you could attend
Come inside, come inside
---Emerson, Lake & Palmer - "Karn Evil 9"

For the knitters out there, Holiday Glitz Scarf is finished:

If you're interested in the pattern, I've listed it on the right under my "Photo Albums." The finished dimensions are 7" x 50" and I used almost 3 skeins of Glitterspun. A special thanks to Snowy the Snowman for coming out of his freezer to model the scarf.

For the crocheters out there...especially the "mesh crochet poncho free pattern" Googling people, I present a poncho about halfway to completion:

I'm calling it Arizona for a couple of reasons. It's made from Bernat's Denimstyle, which is a cotton blend and something better suited to Southwestern winters than, say, Noro Kureyon. Also, the color I'm using is a brown/white mix I picked up on clearance that, to me at least, has a cowboy-booted, Clint Eastwood feel. Especially with the poncho turned so the straight edge is to the front. But it works just as well the other way for all you poncho purists out there. I'm going to finish the edge with shells to match the ones marching down the 4 points. I don't know if I'll have it complete & the pattern up before I leave, but I'll give it a good college try. It may not be what the Googlers are looking for, but it's making me, a poncho-phobe, quite happy. And that's saying a lot!

More later - a book review & stash sale talk to be precise - hope your weekend was great and your Monday is even better!

Everybody's Workin' For The Weekend

Speaking of working, it's looking good for my substitute teaching job. My references are starting to come in & by early next week I should know what my next step will be. I'm excited 'cause, you know, I need to earn some cash to spend on even more stash enhancement weeks like this one:

For all those with dial-up - of whom I am one - I'm sorry about all the pics. But...but....it's new yarn & stuff so I couldn't help myself.

Can I tell you how much I love this Berroco Uxbridge Tweed? Come on, let me tell you...

For something that's relatively inexpensive, this stuff rocks! The range of colors in "Pumpkin Spice" are great - it's like tweed on steroids and fairly screams "autumn" to me. I'm going to love knitting with this yarn...but not yet. I'm not starting that cabled cardi *quite* yet...although you all know it's killing me not to cast on. Sigh.

This is no-name-wool I picked up from eBay. At the time the seller didn't specify that part of the yarn was three-ply - pink/dk. gray/light gray- and part was 4-ply - dk. blue added to the mix - but I've decided that's ok. Last week I found a Faroese-type shawl in an issue of Cast-On that I think would work perfectly with this yarn.

Then there's this:

This is "Illusion" by Classic Elite & I ordered the skein to see how I'd like it. The color combo was called "Harvest" on Elann's site and I wasn't sure if the mix would be good in person.

Well...it was good. I found a pattern I liked on my shelves & ordered 4 more skeins. :::Grin:::

Hmmmmm...and check this out:

It's Elsebeth Lavold's Cotton Patine in a color called "Willow." Its not as orange as the pic shows - more of an antique salmon and I love it! Seriously soft with a nice sheen. The book, Designer's Choice Book Two, was free with the order. With 10 balls I have enough for almost any pattern but I'm most drawn to Agatha & Garnet. Pics at a later date!

I bought the yarn from this vendor on eBay and couldn't be more pleased. Great yarn, great price, great service. I highly recommend "Mrs. Knits." No affiliation - yadda, yadda.

Speaking of patterns & great service, Jill did a bit of Googling yesterday & came up with a source for the afghan pattern leaflet I showcased in my Aug. 25th entry. Here is the on-line vendor who says she has bunches of those leaflets so anyone interested in making their own medallion afghan can go check her out.

I know I said something about a book review & a bit of a stash sale, but dang - I gotta save something for next time! In fact, I'm taking the weekend off. (I know, I can hear your gasps of disbelief.) But I've got tons to do before I leave for Kansas in a week - not the least of which is painting the bathroom! I put on the first coat this morning and already my arm is feeling the strain. Hopefully I'll be able to lift it enough to knit!

Have a great weekend - see ya in a few.

Thanks Secret Pal!

I've been getting lots of packages in the mail this week, but none as lovely as this one:

How adorable are the buttons on those purses? 1920's Flappers - I love it! Those little crocheted bags really sparkle - the perfect gift for a magpie bag lady like myself! Um...by the way, SP - what brand of yarn did you use? I really like it!

See that crochet hook at the bottom of the pic? That's *rosewood* alright - yessirreebob. I've never even held one before - so very nice!

How very, very thoughtful - thanks Secret Pal!

In deference to my SP, hers is the only pic I'll post today - wouldn't want to steal her thunder! Tomorrow I'll be back with pics of yarn, a book review, where to get a copy of the afghan pattern I'll be making, a wee stash reduction sale, etc., etc.

Speaking of the afghan - I *will* say a big "Thanks!" for everyone's opinions. Kendra brought up an excellent point about considering the room's decor as well as the wall colors - wouldn't want florals clashing with the stripes in the afghan! But rest assured the chairs & couch are plain tan with no busy artwork about. I'll also bet one or two of you muttered, "Sheesh - is she going to start yet ANOTHER project? And a crocheted one at that? What happened to all her old projects? Heck, what happened to the *knitting* part?"

Don't worry - that afghan isn't going to be started tonight. It'll take awhile to accumulate enough blue and yellow yarn for one thing and for another I'd like to get a few more things out of my workbasket before I begin.

As far as the knitting part, well - I'll admit I'm trying to get a good start on my crocheted mesh poncho, but I'm also trying to finish that Holiday Glitz Scarf (pattern coming soon) and I'd like to make headway on my Continental Cardi. Sooooo....I promise knitting, knitting & more knitting (with a bit of mesh poncho) in the forseeable future. :)

Blue Afghans, A Secret Revealed And A Vote!

Ok - it's not so much a secret as it's just something you didn't know about me. :::wink:::

Bear with me - the subject of blue afghans will take a little background info...

Waaaaaay back when I was a baby (Hey! I heard that snicker...it wasn't THAT long ago!) I was adopted by my maternal grandparents. They are the "Mom & Dad" I've been talking about all these months...the ones that aren't doing so well at 91 & 92. In fact, my original birth certificate was destroyed and a new one was issued showing them as my natural parents. That's illegal now, of course, but I think it's an interesting sidenote.

ANYWAY, my biological mother lives here in Albuquerque. She works for the gov't but also writes books. Some of you out there who read mysteries - particularly Southwest mysteries - may have heard of her - Susan Slater. She write the Ben Pecos series (The Pumpkinseed Massacre, Yellow Lies, Thunderbird...) and others. 6 altogether - if anyone's interested just search on Amazon. :)

Sooooo...to make an already long story longer, she recently moved into a new house. Turn of the century, Craftsman style, really cute. While touring the new digs she mentioned that she wouldn't mind a new afghan sometime. Since the awful situation with my folks has had the unexpected dividend of bringing us closer, I'd like to make her one.

By the way - the brown raglan with the gold buttons is for her B-day next week. :)

Now - here's the skinny. The living room is painted a bright yellow, while a bright blue is in the bathroom (which you can see from the living room) and she really likes the yellow/blue contrast. I'd like some opinions on the following two afghan possibilities, both crocheted:

This is my favorite afghan pattern of all time. I think I've made 3 with this pattern - all as gifts: one of greens & blues, one in pinks with black accents, and one in reds & blues. I was thinking I could make this in different shades of yellow and blue....maybe a bit of mohair, some wool, etc. It has to be washable, though, since she has 3 dogs & a cat.

The second option is this:

This is actually a table topper, but with a worsted weight yarn & large hook it would make a great afghan. It's called "Pineapple" but I think the pattern is more "Spiderweb" than pineapple tops to me! This would look great in a single color - I'm thinking bright blue. I know you can't see the lace pattern very well, but trust me - it's very nice. :)

I'm taking opinions because I'm honestly on the fence. Let me hear your opinions! I know she'd like either one.

While you all ponder, here are a couple housekeeping notes:

I've done up a new project photo gallery using Typepad's system. Nothing you haven't seen before, but I did take new pics of old projects & the format is new and a LOT better, in my opinion.

And - for all those poor souls searching for a "free crocheted mesh poncho pattern" - your Google is my command. I've got the preliminary work done...just give me a few days 'til the big reveal. :::Grin:::

Yep - the yarn came in - pics next time!

Remember, vote early - vote often!

The Fringe Element

Winter Poncho, aka Harlot's Poncho is complete:

Murphy's Knitting Law #45 - It will take more yarn to fringe a poncho than it will to knit one. Go ahead - after two trips to Hobby Lobby for more yarn - ask me how I know.

Two things I would change if I were making this for myself - make the body a wee bit longer and add increase/eyelet rows at the arms. I like to be able to lift my arms a little higher without the whole poncho coming along. :) But that being said, I think my friend will really like it. Scratch another gift off ye olde Yuletide list!

In the off chance that Stephanie would ever read this blog - thanks for the pattern!

No yarn yet from Elann (I'm starting to get worried!) but the new Knitter's arrived instead.

At the risk of sounding really curmudgeonly, here is my report: Boxy, unflattering shapes; uninspired colorwork; almost nothing that caught my eye. You know it's boring when I don't even bother posting pics to point out how awful something is! I guess that's my assessment - nothing awful enough for me to poke fun, but nothing great enough to warrant an "oooh" or an "aaaah." Just a couple patterns merited an "eh."

Wasn't it just last fall that I was so in love with Knitter's? I'll have to look back at my stack of issues but I swear there were at least 3 sweaters about which I was rhapsodizing. Hmmmmm...might be worth a look-see. :::grin::::

Robbyn! My blue afghan post has been postponed yet again. An FO and a magazine pushed back my blogging schedule. But I'll talk about the blue afghan serendipity tomorrow...even IF the Elann order comes in! Hehehehe

Imponderables of a Knitter's Life

++++Why is it that when you really, really want a package to arrive (this applies to non-knitting items as well) it takes twice as long? Yes - I'm still waiting for my Elann order. Sigh.

++++Why is it that when someone hints that perhaps they would enjoy a certain something handmade by you, you never have the right yarn or the right color in your stash? This necessitates more ordering of yarn and waiting...see above.

++++Why are you more likely to screw up a gift knit...several times....requiring twice as much frogging as something you just "threw on the needles" for yourself?

++++I have at least 5 different sets of #9 circs...why can't I find one when I need it?

++++Why do I continue to "just look" at the yarn on eBay when I know darn well I'll find something (eventually) that I can't live without? See point one above.

++++Why do I knit so many things I'm really not happy with in the end?

Let's see - the first, the second, the fifth & the sixth all happened to me today. I threw in the other two just 'cause they've also irked me on occasion. Hehehe

In case you're not aware, I'm a pretty ballsy babe...in more ways than one. :::wink::: Here's me being ballsy today:

This is the Araucania Nature Cotton that I knit up into "Tobacco Top." I finally decided that I loved that yarn too much to have it sit around in a top I'd never wear. I did pretty well - I got most of the yarn back out, wasting maybe 1/4 of a skein. I have a full skein still in my stash & I'm going to hunt around & buy a couple more if I can find them (I already have a lead). I'm planning on making some sort of winter sweater with 3/4 length sleeves. Not sure what pattern as yet, but it's better that the yarn be in balls than sitting in a drawer languishing in an unwanted top!

I was also quite productive (while being so destructive) and finished the back of "Sensational Shirttail":

I also knit up another ball of Wool-Ease chunky into my friend's poncho...just a few inches to go & I can cast off & start fringing. I should have a pic of the finished product in a couple of days.

You know, I've been thinking. Half the people who come to this blog have searched for "free crocheted poncho pattern." Do you suppose it's a sign that I need to design one?

Knit (or crochet) on!

Bountiful Harvest

Mabon came early this year....

"A snap's within the summer wind,
It teases at the air
With warming glow on fields below
The harvest season's here

Soon leaves shall yield a brilliant shield
Of copper, gold and bronze
And rivers strain 'gainst summer rain
As daylight later dawns"

----"Harvest Season" ---Music & Lyrics by Heather Alexander

Yeah - I've been knitting too, but I thought I'd give Gaia her due in this post. We see this kind of harvest about 25% of the time. Usually the trees are nipped by frost and the birds eat the grapes before we ever see a bunch. Interestingly enough, our vegetables aren't producing at all this year. It seems like it's either a season for fruit or for veggies, not both!

For the peach lovers out there, here's my fav peach cobbler recipe:

Heat oven to 400.

Peel & slice 8 to 12 large peaches, place in 1 1/2 qt. casserole. Stir in 3 T sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 T cornstarch. Set aside.

Topping: 1 C Flour, 1 T sugar, 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder, 1/2 tsp. salt, 3 T shortening and 1/2 C milk.

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder & salt in bowl. Add shortening & milk, cutting through shortening 6 times. Mix until dough forms a ball. Drop dough by 6 spoonfuls onto peach filling. Bake 25 to 30 min. or until bisquit topping is golden brown. Serve warm.

I wish a blessed harvest to everyone - whether it be the fruits of the earth or the fruits of your labor.

A Michael's Adventure

During my day of fun & leisure, I decided to drop by Michael's to check out their yarn & needles. Someone on the KList had mentioned a "poor man's Addi Turbo" - the Susan Bates "Silverado" - and I wanted to see if any were in stock.

OK - yarn snobs, click on by. :::Grin:::

Our new Michael's finally got the rest of their yarn stock in and I was pretty darn impressed. There were Paton's yarns on the shelves I'd never seen before in person (or is that "in fiber?") I fondled "Up Country" and had an irrational desire to go home & make a chunky hat! And the novelty yarns....I had a couple of balls in my hand, thinking of scarves, before I came to my senses & put them back. There were even a few balls of a ribbon yarn (sorry - forgot the name!) that looked like it belonged in a "real" LYS. I managed to resist temptation & came out of the dept. with only a "Silverado" circular in size 8. I'll take it for a test-knit this weekend & let you know how I like it.

On my way to the checkstand, I looked at their wall of craft books and this jumped out at me:

I flipped through the patterns & then checked the price - clearance for $9.00. Obviously it came home with me! I'm sure this book has been discussed by someone before but I don't remember off hand where & when. Most of the patterns in here are by Kim Hargreaves - it was like getting a Rowan pattern book for a really great price. The technical info is fine and covers the basics pretty well. I wouldn't have paid the cover price of almost $40.00, but for $9.00 it was a great buy. There are 3 patterns I'd be interested in making...or....if I get a new knitter is SP3 this would make a nice little gift. :)

I did enjoy my day yesterday, although in the late afternoon I got some more bad news about my parents so things ended on a bit of a downer. It led to a restless night last night so I'm looking forward to just puttering today. A nap or two & nothing else too strenuous!

Oh - and it turns out that my Aunt won't be coming to visit in a couple of weeks as planned - unfortunately her husband, who is 88, isn't doing too well.

I'll tell ya - it's hell getting old.

So I'll still hurry & finish her scarf but I'll mail it instead of giving it in person. I'm hoping it will make her smile & cheer her up a bit. It's certainly bright & cheerful to knit!

It's Going To Be A Good Day

Today is the first day in well over a month I've had all to myself. Hubbie at work, kids in school...just me & Emma hanging out & enjoying the quiet.

I want to get some cleaning done; more sorting in my craft room; do some sewing (I'm actually motivated to finish my quilt!); and, of course, I'll be knitting too. Oh yeah...and I need to freeze a LOT of peaches. Two neighbors have each given me a brimming bucket and we've got at least 3 dozen on our tree out back. And apples....oh, boy....we've got apples! I think I'll be picking & freezing apples this weekend also.

I used to make jam, jelly, apple butter and apple sauce, but my family never seemed to finish all those beautiful jars and I ended up tossing what wasn't used. Sooooo....freezing for future pies & cobblers seems to be the best bet. :)

In knitting news, I got past the armhole decreases on Sensational Shirttail last night while watching the Olympics so I'd like to have the back finished this weekend. I want to have another skein of Glitterspun knit into that scarf too. In my free moments I'll work on that Winter Poncho. :::wink::: I'll post more pics when there's something to show. :)

I realize it's too much to hope that my Elann order would come in today...but one can always dream!

Have a great weekend!