No pictures to post..

but I did want to jot off a quick note. I hate when too much time has passed since my last post.

Christmas was very good this year. I made the best ever tomato sauce with meatballs and pork brasole(?) and homemade lasagna and mini pecan pie tarts - yummy. My mother and brother came over for diner, but since David had to work, it was an early night.

We celebrated with the boys on Christmas Adam and Christmas Eve, then took them home to their mothers. I got nice knitty gifts from them - Domino Knitting and The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches. I love them both (the books and the boys)

Well, David is demanding his computer back so more later....

Tis the season ...

to be RAOK'd! I received this lovely scarf from Lizzi - that is my stepson, Jeff, modeling it:

Thank you Lizzi - I really love the colors and how soft it feels on.

and to give equal time to the other brother, Robert opening gifts:



We exchanged gifts with the boys tonight because we don't have them on Christmas.

Hope everyone is having a joyous holiday season!

Happy Solstice!

Raise a mug of wassail and celebrate the turning of the wheel!

I promised pictures and here they are:


The before

and after

The above recipe works really well in a crockpot - stays warm and yummy all day!

and now for something completely different

Get Your Own Christmas BlogCard Here!

Thanks to Kerstin for this - I needed the laugh

Thank You everyone...

for the birthday wishes! I had a great day yesterday with my girlfriends. We went out for Mexican food and girl talk. Margaret gave us each $10 worth of scratch off tickets and we all won something. I also got a gift certificate to AC Moore - so I am really happy. We went to Starbucks (a blue co. yippee!!) for desert and sat in front of the fireplace - it was a wonderful afternoon - even with out knitting.

After I got home, David and I went for the tree. I love my tree! I will post pictures later, but trust me it looks gorgeous!

later...

Doing nothing isn't working!

I am really not in the holiday spirit now - I am stressed and grouchy. I tried doing nothing as Norma suggested, but it is not working - I am feeling more stressed. It is my birthday weekend and still no tree, the decorations - in a box in the basement, the presents - all over the house. Cookies - not happening, lasagna - take out anyone?

What I really want is to go away somewhere all by myself - just me, my yarn, some hooks and my denise needles! Heaven

Tonight is my office Christmas party, David is not coming because he has to work, so I am going alone. Tomorrow is my birthday, 43 years old, man where did the years go? I'm going to brunch with my girlfriends. David and I can celebrate after the holidays, when hopefully he is back on days. Tmrw night there is a SnB in Park Slope at the Tea Lounge, I think I will go, maybe that will get me out of this funk.

Later.

Capelet Pattern - sort of

Ok I still have not comp at home, so I am going to post this from work. I haven't actually written out the pattern so this is just the basic directions as far as what I did. The yarn I used was a hand dyed silk I won on ebay - it is a sport wt.

With a size D crochet hook I chained a length to fit comfortably around my shoulders, join with slp st. HDC around for 1 1/2 inches or desired length increase as necessary to achieve a multiple of 10 + 1 for the first pattern. Switch to a Size F hook - I used the spaced scale stitch on page 106 of the Crochet Stitch Bible continue in that pattern changing to a Size G hook after a few inches, till desired length (3 - 4 inches shorter than the finished length you desire). Then I switched to the sea stitch on page 112 and a Size H hook and did 3 rows to finish. Then I did a row of sc around the front opening and Voila!

I had to fudge the numbers to make it fit but all in all it worked out really well. Happy Friday all.

No catchy title today

I have to go home tonight and finish cleaning the apt so we have some place to put the tree. David is home trying to fix his computer. We have a major spyware invasion, seems like some site the kids visit causes major problems with the computer. He has to reformat the hard drive to get rid of the worms and whatever other crap got through. This will be the 3rd time this has happened so the boys won't have web access anymore. They have plenty of games and spend too much time on the computer anyway.

I am not getting used to his new schedule and don't like him being out on patrol after midnight, but there is good news on the horizon, his captain has said he will see about putting him back on days after the new year. Of course that won't help with my birthday or the holidays, but it is better than February or never.

I have lots of baking to do this weekend - I want to make cookies to give out to co-workers and friends. I love making cookies. I want to put them with the Christmas gifts for my girlfriends. We are getting together Sunday for brunch and gifty exchange. I was thinking of knitting each of them cotton sacks with yummy soaps, but I don't know if I can get them done by Sunday.

A few people have asked for the pattern for the silk crochet capelet. I will try to post the instructions tonight. It not really a pattern, just more of a guideline and stitch directions.

later....

Pictures

Here are a few pictures

David & me at his Christmas Party


The sweater I am making him that was supposed to be for his birthday, which I may have finished before he reaches SS age

It is from The Purl Stitch by Sally Melville

This is the yarn(expect it is much prettier and blue in person)


Later..

Scrooge is alive and well...

and working for the NYPD! David got into a tiff with his Capt. at work and ended up being transferred to midnights for the next 2 months! ARGHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! That really is going to mess up all our holiday plans as well as the boys schedule. On the midnight tour he is back to working 4 days on 2 days off. He loses his steady days, so now we have to figure out when and how will will pick up the boys and return them home and when we can celebrate Christmas (he was off before this) Oh bah humbug!

I still have lots of Christmas knitting to do - will post some pics later.

What I want to make in 2005

I need to make a list of things I want to finish in the new year. I know Rogue is on my list and Blaze and Tempting and belle epoque from knitty and some other but today I saw this, and I think it has jumped to the top of the list! Thank you Marnie for another gorgeous pattern.

What is on top of your list for the coming year?

Had lots of fun at the Christmas Party last night - will post a picture later.

2 more pictures

I just wanted to post 2 more pictures of my capelet - I am ridiculously pleased with this, my first design. Anyway here they are:



Tomorrow is David's Christmas Party - I wanted to wear it but 1 - it doesn't go with the dress I picked out and 2 - I wet and blocked it and it is drying now - I don't think it will be fully dry by tomorrow night. I think I will wear the beaded crochet shawl Marilyn brought back from Italy for me.

More later.......

Let there be pictures........

and so here they are:
silk capelet - my own design

detail of crochet stitches

rose scarf - turkish stitch, bulky yarn on size 17 needles with crochet roses

detail of roses - lots more to be added!

Rowan capelet

fringe ends - first few rows

detail of fringe



the bestest partner a girl could ask for - love ya sweets!

Singing in the rain...

off key of course. Lots of stuff to post today, where to begin -

First - Santa came early to my house last night - I got my digital camera!!! David wanted me to open it early, before my birthday so I could use it, he also got tired of my hinting for one. So last night while watching Mystery Monday on BBC America, I took lots of pictures of my current W'sIP and finished stuff to post - and as soon as I figure out how to download them to my computer, I will post them here.

My favorite Japanese outlet store, Samurai, has a website : you can check out locations and see some of the stuff they carry. I was there this Sunday and bought some really cool thick and thin yarn - it is funky looking - I will show you a picture soon. They had lots more yarn, but no needles - I asked and the store manager said they were on order and would be in soon. These needles are awesome! Bamboo needles for $0.99 to $1.49 each! (I have an unhealthy attachment to exclamation pts!) Everytime I go here I spend about $20 and walk out with a shopping back full of stuff.

I stared my Rowan free gift pattern last night - this is it:

It is in Rowan Cork, which is a luscious yarn, so soft. The color I received is 045 which is an oatmeal neutral, I was really hoping for the red, but this yarn is so nice to work with, I don't mind that it is not a great color for me. There are these little fringe like things along the lower edge that are made by casting on then binding off stitches - they were fun to do and remind me of tentacles. I am enjoying working on this.

We are not going to see my inlaws till after Christmas, so I don't have to kill myself to get there gifts finished by the 24th. Now if I can just go home and play with my camera and finish my capelet I will be very happy.

For those who crochet, have you seen the new issue of Crochet me yet, it is great! (I know, I know) and the new knitty is out too (see I can go w/o an !)

Up and running again

Well I have got most of my blog back they way it was. I still need to add a few more rings back and links to other blogs. I would also like to put a link to WIP and Gallery, but I am not quite sure how to do that. I do like the way this one is looking now so I am happy.

The interview last night went well, I think - I am never good at judging these things. It was only a 1/2 hour massage and I was nervous and the table was a little too low, but I thought I did a good treatment and I really liked the look of the place. The massage room was very pretty, the table was heated the sheets were thick and soft and there was a dark sage green cotton blanket covering everything. Very elegant and comforting. I hope they call me when they need an extra therapist!

Finished 1 sleeve on Christian's hoodie - I am making this pattern in a navy and bright blue bernat coordinates that I bought at Smileys. I still have to wind that last skein of silk for the capelette and work some more on MIL shawl. I just got the new elann newsletter for December and there are 2 new Peruvian collection yarns - a fingering wt alpaca and silk and a bulky wt highland wool - gorgeous!

Bah Humbug!

No not Christmas - blogging! I was trying to fix my blog and screwed everything up - lost all my codes and Ringsurf won't let me log in to any of the my rings. I have no idea what I am doing wrong! Can anyone recommend a book that I can use to learn about this stuff? - I am seriously tech challenged.

Bumbles bounce....

Yes it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Last night Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer was on - this is my all time favorite Christmas show - I love the Island of Misfit Toys and Hermie the dentist elf. So I am now officially in the Holiday Spirit (as I sit here listening to WPLJ's all Christmas Music programming). I really do love this time of year!

I forgot to mention that I was RAOK'd by Jenanne a lovely set of beaded stitch markers! I thanked her personally already, but I wanted to say it publicly too - Thank You!

I have gotten some fun comments on Holiday traditions - it is great learning about what traditions people have and what matters to them this holiday season.

Tonight I have the interview for a sponsorship at a Spa - wish me luck!

I started crocheting the rosettes for my scarf last night - it is going to look really great! I can't wait to post some pictures (Santa if you are reading - I have been pretty good this year and would love that digital camera).

December already!?!??!!!

Wow - it is Dec. 1st already - where did this year go? I have been resisting this holiday spirit thing, at least until last night. I met a friend at Penn Station last night, we were going for a lite dinner and some girl talk. I got to Penn Sta. at about 4:55, her train was supposed to arrive at 4:59 - well the first thing I hear as I get down there is: "Due to a disabled train outside of Jamaica, we are experiencing 30 minute delays" Great! so I go down to the 7th ave end by McDonald's to wait where I said I would be. There is a guy singing Christmas carols there, at first I was a little annoyed, but the guy had a nice voice and after a while I started to get into it. When Sha finally got there, we decided to walk around a little before going to eat, we walked passed Macy's to see the Polar Express windows. Sha said it is a tradition in her family to read that book every Christmas eve.

That got me thinking - growing up, we didn't really have any holiday traditions (unless you count fighting and complaining as traditions) David and I have sort of created our own traditions. Every year we open our presents to each other way before Christmas ( I know, we are bad!) We also shop for our tree with the boys, they pick it out and I put it up. They boys get to put on all the "special" Star Trek and Star Wars ornaments. I have the only Victorian SciFi tree around! On our Christmas morning (when we have the boys), after opening there gifts I make a special breakfast of Biscuits and gravy, pancakes and bacon. We have been this for years now and it is starting to feel like a tradition. So fellow bloggers, what traditions do you have for the Holidays? I'd love to hear from you.

Back to fibery stuff. I am almost finished with the crochet capelette. I need to wind the last skein tonight. I am ready to start the last pattern for the border and I need to decide if I want to add the beads I bought or not. I also finished the back and fronts of the baby hoodie - I started the sleeves and they are going fast - I love have fast I can crochet - I wish I knit that fast.

I also cast on for a shawl/stole I am thinking of making for my MIL. She is going on a cruise and I thought this would be nice to take. It is made in woolease sport white with a sparkle-y thread running through. I am using a stitch I found in the 365 day perpetual knitters calendar. It is a corded rib - multiple of 4 sts+ 2 for edges. K2tog M1 P2 all rows. It makes a pretty raised rib with a lattice between. I am making it 20" wide on size 10 bamboo needles - I will try to get a picture up soon.

I am also making myself a scarf out of the left over misty from marilyn's poncho. I am doing the turkish stitch on size 17 needles - this is giving me a loose mesh that I plan on adding crochet flowers to around the edges - I found a cute pattern for rosettes on the Lionbrand site. I think this will look great - I saw similar (though not heavy) scarves when we were in Paris.