Bron's Blog II

She Had Me At The Cables....

Yep - I bought Men in Knits by Tara Jon Manning for only one reason - this:

I've been in cable withdrawal for some time now and that cardigan looks like just the ticket to bring me out of my doldrums. It's the cardi version of the cover sweater:

I'll be using the Pakucho Cotton I picked up awhile back from Elann:

And I'll be starting as soon as I finish another something or other. (Probably the tree skirt!) The cotton will make it thick & heavy - just what I'm wanting. :)

As for the rest of the book, I enjoyed browsing through it. There are sections in the front to help you decide what style of sweater/vest would be preferred by the male recipient which I thought  was very well done. Corporate, Active/Casual, etc. Also charts on getting the perfect fit (so the sweater will actually be worn) and matching the pattern with certain body types. Tall/short, heavy/slim, short neck/long neck, etc.

The patterns are classic and adaptable:

This one would be great for all my Araucania Nature Cotton....another sweater for me, of course!:

I really do think I'll be using more than one pattern from this collection. (There are more lovely cables included!) I still hold out hope that my boys will grow out of their "T-shirt & Hoodie" phase and want something handmade by Mom again. (When they were little I could stick 'em in anything I made. Ahhhhh...those days of total control! Mwhahahahaha!)

In the meantime I'll use a couple of these patterns for myself and dream. ::wink:::

I'd forgotten I'd ordered a subscription to this magazine:

But I'm glad I did! That cover necklace is something I've been thinking about...and I believe I have just the beads AND the time this weekend to do it!

Not Enough Yarn, But A Lovely New Book

So things even out in the end.

I was this far into my Pineapple Pullover, when I realized I wouldn't have enough Brilla to finish it:

I realized, however, that I DID have plenty of Knit Picks Shine Sport in my stash (originally meant for the Katherine Hepburn cardi, but this need was more pressing.):

I'm actually going to like this much better. It's a thinner yarn than the Brilla & it will make a lighter, better draping sweater. :) The Brilla is so heavy (and I only have 12 balls!) I might end up knitting it instead of crocheting. We'll see - it's back in the stash for the time being.

I got a great new book:

Yes - it's a compilation by Reader's Digest which really gave me pause, but ..."Hey Mikey! I liked it!" The cover sweater of course, that goes without saying. But inside there's something for everyone too:

(I LOVE this afghan!):

Etc., etc., etc. I really didn't find anything truly hideous in the whole book (which is saying something) and lots of things I could see myself making. My intuition about this book was working over time - I managed to order two! I'm going to send this one back as soon as the other (cheaper) one gets here. ::wink:::

So - all you crocheters out there: Check this one out if you have a chance. There isn't much avant garde crochet in here, but lots of very nice, timeless patterns that most of us can appreciate. :)

A quickie sickie update: Called my Dr. yesterday at 9...called again at 3 & was told that "Mondays are always a bad day to get messages to doctors and having them call. It's just so busy." Yep - I'm sure it is. However I ALMOST WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND AM STILL FEELING THE EFFECTS! (Ahem...I'm better now.) She took my info & swore she'd give it to the nurse. At 4:22 I get a call from the nurse who takes down ALL my info yet again & swears the Dr. will call back before 6 PM.

It's 6:55 AM the next day. I don't think he's calling, do you?

Sigh.

Knit 2 Together

I'll admit that if it hadn't been 5 bucks on Amazon I never would've given this book a second glance. When I heard about it a few months back I thought, "Another celebrity knitting book, full of yarn store patterns. Blech."

But for $5.50 (and I have free shipping) i figured I'd try it. If worse came to worst, I could use it as a blog contest prize, right?

It came in yesterday:

And sorry folks, but I'm keeping it. ::Grin:: There are lots of projects in here that caught my eye and the commentary is cute without being cloying. Here are some of my favorites:

There are a couple awful designs (what IS it with the felted "fingers" crap anyway????:

But really, clinkers are few & far between. Most projects I could see myself making:

This one would be great for that odd, bulky skein of something-or-other we all have laying around:

This is seriously pretty:

While I was scooping up Amazon deals, I got Stitch & Bitch Nation for $3.19. (Now that one just MIGHT end up being a blog contest prize! LOL)

There are skirts included in Knit 2 Together as well as a couple pairs of pants! (Both along the lines of the bloomer pattern in the new Knitty.) A hoodie in all sizes that looks fun & fast to make. There is, of course, the obligatory section on how to knit. All in all, definitely worth a look and definitely worth buying for only $5.50! Even if you don't have free shipping with Amazon, put it in with your next order - you won't be sorry. :)

The Last Roses

Remarkably, with all the plantings & lovely things our new house has to offer, there are no roses. So we're taking special pleasure in ours this year:

There are lots of buds this year - probably due to the huge amount of moisture we had this winter.

Yesterday we had two separate sets of people spend LOTS of time in the rental house - we're crossing our fingers that one of these days we'll get an offer. The first decent one we receive we'll accept! LOL

We're moving in 10 days and, remarkably, we just might be ready. I'm toying with the idea of asking for that Friday off, to move food & things like that, but we'll see. I've already got a job for that day. The only time I've gotten time off was back in Sept. for Mom's funeral. Hmmmm...maybe they owe me a day?
I started my place mats last night to match the table runner I did a couple of weeks ago. But unfortunately, the black cone of yarn didn't match the black in the variegated as well as I hoped. The difference is big enough for my kids to notice, so I've scrapped the idea of using the Oasis variegated in the mats. Instead, I'll use the "Shrimp" color with the black. That will match the tile more closely anyway. Of course, I already packed & moved my cone of Shrimp so I'll need to pick it up from the house today & get started tonight.

Another reason I haven't gotten much knitting done is this book:

Val McDermid is the author of the Dr. Tony Hill series of books that's been made into a BBC TV series, "Wire in the Blood." I love the series and was hoping this stand alone book wouldn't disappoint.

It didn't. I was thoroughly engrossed from page one and I didn't really see the ending coming until...well...the end! I'd been using this as my "at school" book but had to finish it up last night. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes a good British mystery - although this one definitely isn't a "cozy." (Robbyn, I'm putting it in your book box.)

And...that's all the news. Work is same old, same old. I subbed 7th grade math yesterday & will have 8th grade math today. I'm not sleeping well, but that's nothing new. I probably won't be getting any decent rest until we're out of school. Heck - that's just 23 more days...I think I can make it.

Tomorrow: Pix of a few surprises at the new house!

Spring Break = Crafting Heaven

Take a look......

Here is the ubiquitous Red Heart "Aran Fleck":

(Yarn snobs - please don't faint!)

Which I bought to make 4 of these:

Yep - my favorite place mat pattern. DH got to eat dinner on the finished one last night & loved it. :) I choose the color because it goes with our neutral, kinda oatmealy dishes:

I plan to make one a day 'til the set is complete. I'll probably make the matching coasters too. Doug's already saying I should do sets for Christmas presents. Now, that's a thought!

In case you were going into chicken withdrawals, here's a charmer for you:

I particularly like those wings. :)

I also realized yesterday that I was pretty well out of bright, summery, variegated Sugar & Cream colors. I went to Hobby Lobby & rectified that:

After all, who can resist colors like "Swimming Pool" and "Over The Rainbow?"

While I was at Michael's checking for Cotton Ease (nope - they don't have it) I found this (Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2007):

I was captivated by the lace on the cover & snatched it up without even flipping through. I'm glad I did. Here are two things at the top of my must-make list:

It's made with Lion Brand's new nature cotton, but I have plenty of other cottons on my shelves that will worth for this. I really like that nipped in waist. I think I'll be casting on for it today, although the sizing only goes up to 40 so I'll need to do a wee bit of tweaking.

Here's a crochet number that I think is very cool - without the ribbon trim, though!

Here's a close-up:

If I don't have anything just right, I think I'll order some Elann Sonata today. I'm thinking I'll make it in a variegated. Hmmmm.....

And this...with all due respect to the designer who I won't name....this is pretty bad. A baby onesie:

In the blurb describing the pattern it says that babies are fun to dress because you can put anything on them & they won't complain. Therefor you can indulge your wildest fantasies & show off your expert knitting skills.

I don't know for sure, but I'm thinking wearing something like this might just leave permanent, psychological scars. Even in an infant.

Just sayin'.

And this sweater, when I'm in the mood for oodles of lace, might be just the thing:

Wow.

Hope everyone's having a great weekend! Today I'm going to try & make sense out of my craft room and get things put away.

I may never be seen again. LOL

Let's Talk About Lace Style - Finally!

Thanks for all the compliments on Lacy Top Cardi! I ended up wearing it to work yesterday and I can confidently say it passed the wear test. :) In fact, I really would like another one in a different color. Something light & springlike. Hmmmmm....

Thanks also for the wonderful comments regarding Dylan's situation. He read them all & wanted me to pass along his thanks as well. Evidently the parents of the other kids who have been mistreated & hassled are coming in today to voice their concerns. I got a call at 9:15 last night letting me know. I have a really light schedule at work today (an OT is coming in to teach most of my 1st period class, 2nd period prep and another prep in the afternoon) so I'm hoping I can be there too.

Evidently the officer is now "shadowing" the kids - sneaking up behind them to see if they're talking about the situation because they've been told not too. If they DO talk about it, then THEY are getting in "big trouble."

Sigh.

But enough of that already, eh? On to the show!

Here's the obligatory dishrag on the needles:

And here's my three-months-on-back-order violet Cotton Ease:

It's a bad picture but it's a hard color to get to photograph correctly. I won't be ordering any more CE for awhile until I see if my local Michael's will be getting it in. Several people on the Yahoo CE list are seeing & buying it there so I'm crossing my fingers. :)

I've been able to browse through Lace Style a few times now and this one is a keeper for me. There are several patterns that I really like & want to make (and several more I should like, but don't) and the "Design Notebook" at the end of the book is a wonderful addition. It talks about different ways to make knit lace, incorporating lace in your own designs and fixing mistakes that you've made if you don't want to frog. :) There's some good information there - especially for a lace novice.

Here are the designs that really caught my eye:

Called the "Katherine Hepburn Cardigan" I love the basic design and the rich fabric made by the cables & lace. (Cables & lace - my two favorite things to knit together. ::Grin:::)

I'd never make it & wear it, but I adore this hat:

That's something Audrey Hepburn would've worn. ::Wink::

And this one by, of course, Norah Gaughan, is worth the price of admission:

This is very high on my must-make list. It's the front lace insert that totally trips my trigger!

Now - on to designs I probably should like, but don't...starting with the front cover cardi:

I don't know what it is. Possibly the ridges - I do think it looks too "ridgy." I know I'm leery of the collar. Those fold-over shawl collars never work right for me. In fact, I haven't been able to wear Nantucket Jacket because I need to sew down the entire collar - it insists on flipping up & looking dumb. (I hate knitwear that makes me look dumb. hehehe)

Here's another cardi that, to me, just looks clunky:

Maybe it would be better in a spiffier color? I do think the lace looks like it would curl up & be a bother during wear.

There are also camis & cowls, socks & shrugs. The shrugs I really liked, although I'm not a "shrug person." Something for everyone and, for me, a good addition to my library.

Next up: I need to knit something other than dishrags. Soooooo....it's cami time! I'm thinking I'll start on this over the weekend:

It's cute, it covers the necessities, and has some textural interest. The best part is I have yarn in my stash to make it!

Oh yeah....have I mentioned that next week is SPRING BREAK?????? Woooooooohoooooooo!!!!

But...ahem....I'm not excited or anything. :::wink::::

Fruits Of Our Labor

Who needs the exercise bike when you have all this rock to shovel and haul? Here's the before pile:

Here it is yesterday morning:

Piles waiting to be distributed:

The finished project:

Edging & mulch in the front flower bed:

A small area to walk on created in back at the suggestion of our real estate agent. It used to be bare earth:

Weary helpers:

After a full morning of "rocking" I was pooped, but still managed to crochet a bit on Lacy Top Cardi. Progress pics tomorrow. :) In the meantime, let me say that June's Knit N' Style is, as usual, a bit uneven in it's offerings. The last issue was unusual in that I liked so many of the projects. This one has the obligatory hideous fun fur projects (will it NEVER end?????):

And yet, Melissa Leapman's two tees are cute:

As is this camisole:

And this tote:

For some reason, several of the patterns have really, really high necklines and for a summer issue that seems very odd to me. I'll admit that if I didn't have a subscription, I would've passed on this one. As it is, I might just try that cami pattern for this summer. I have several cotton choices on my shelves that would work well for it and it looks like a fairly quick knit. :)

I'm off to 7th grade social studies - a teacher I've subbed for many times so no surprises today.

Happy Monday!

Things That Make You Feel Better

• An understanding Sub Coordinator. I told her how sick I was feeling yesterday and, after my first two classes, she let me go home for lunch and a prep period (I was able to take a nap!) and then had me come back for 4th period to cover an emergency absence. The best part is....she changed the job times so that I'd get paid for the time I spent at home. :) She's very good that way and I always appreciate it. That nap made all the difference & I was able to get through the day fairly well.

• Having the "4th Period from hell" and actually having a good time with them. It's one of my favorite "bad" classes. I had no problems with them and was able to leave a very good report. It gave me a real sense of competence because 3rd period had gotten a truly awful review from another sub.

• Finally watching "The Illusionist" and loving every minute of it. Achingly romantic, mysterious, a real puzzler, i was smiling when the end credits rolled. Edward Norton was mesmerizing - in every sense of the word. I think I might have to buy this one and watch it at my leisure. I even loved the lighting - low but rich. :) Seriously - go watch this one, you won't be sorry!

• Having this waiting for me when I got home:

And feeling some crochet mojo returning because of these patterns:

Of course, now that it's here, I don't have the right yarn to make the tunic I've been lusting after. So while I decide what I want to use, I think I'll be making that lacey tie cardi (second from last) with yarn I have on hand. (Yes, Paula - I realize it's a cardi! LOL)

• Having my cup runneth over with this waiting for me too:

But more on that one next time. :)

• Being able to go to bed early & sleeping pretty well for around 8 hours. I'm feeling tons better today, which is just as well because I have two jobs: 2 periods of science in the AM and a period and a half of 7th grade math in the afternoon. Luckily for me, these stress related episodes usually last just 24 hours. I'm going to be more careful in what I eat - I think part of this was some poor food choices catching up with me!

Thanks for all the get well wishes. :) Much appreciated!

I was too out of it yesterday to do much knitting or crocheting, although I did manage 4 full rows on Bianca's Jacket. At least all the pieces are attached now and the lace pattern is started. I can't promise I'll be finishing any time soon (especially with all the new crochet patterns to make!) but I will keep plugging away on it. :)

Proctor Bron

I found out yesterday what I'll be doing on those testing days when I just have one class to sub: I'll be a proctor! Which means I get to hang out in the office, periodically walking around the school to see if anyone needs to go potty. (Kids, not teachers - you have to be a teacher to take over for a teacher during testing) and then I get to take 'em to the bathroom & stay with them in case there's any funny business.

My training for the post yesterday consisted of being told not to talk to the student about the test and not to look at anyone's test. I then signed the form & I was official.

It took 3 1/2 minutes, tops.

I know - you all are sooooo jealous! At least Monday & Tuesday are short days. And I still don't have a job for the 1st day of testing so hopefully I'll be home tomorrow, taking a load off. I haven't slept too well the past couple of nights so a day when I can take a nap would be nice! And then if I don't get called in for the last two days of testing, I'll have a 4 day weekend - two days without the kids!

Come on, Universe - bring it home to Mama! LOL

I knit several more inches on Bianca yesterday:

And, of course, what's a post without a dishrag?:

I'm going to make several from this pattern - I've already started another from orange & green scraps. It's from one of the books I found on eBay and takes about half an hour to complete. :)

I picked up this on impulse and heck, it's not too bad!:

Unlike "Crochet!" where all the old fun fur goes to be buried, this magazine actually has some cute things in it:

The designer has a cool way of doing the twists on this bag that I really have to try. Besides, it's a cute bag!:

I really liked this wrap kimono sweater too:

And of course, what's not to like about a magazine with dishcloth patterns?

I'm really tempted to get a subscription - this is reminding me of the good old days when "Crochet With Heart" first began.

Thinking about "Crochet With Heart" got me thinking about the last time I made lots & lots of potholders, dishrags & towel toppers.  It was back in the early 90's and I think I stocked up everyone I knew. But since then: nada, nothing, zip. No wonder I'm latching onto this kitschy kitchen stuff so whole-heartedly. I literally haven't made one potholder in at least 15 years. Yikes! Who knew?

So please - bear with me while I get this monkey off my back, OK? ::wink:: I have to make up for 15 years!

Rental/Renter News: We've filed the lawsuit in court and the papers are at the Sheriff's dept. to be served. I can't believe those bastards are making us jump through all these hoops (and spend MORE money) got get what they already admitted they owed. They have 20 days after serving to respond. I'm sure we'll get a summary judgement since they're guilty as all get out. If they request a jury trial, I'll be SUPER pissed!

The guy we have painting the house started yesterday and he's almost finished the inside! The kid is a machine and he's doing spectacular work. I'm so glad we decided to hire it done AND that we found a friend who would do it for us so inexpensively. We'll definitely have him do this house when the time comes to move.

We should have the carpet in by the end of the week and replace toilets, sinks, etc. and have it on the market the second week in March which was our target all along. :) I'll definitely be showing some before & after pics!

It'll all be worth it if we can net out $20,000 more by doing all these cosmetic things rather than just dumping the house.

Have a good one!