however much I push it around - it's never enough, it's never enough

Kathleen C left me a comment asking about the pattern for my bosses scarf - it is my own based on the Double Basket Pattern from Barbara Walkers First Treasury of Knitting patterns pg 18.

I cast on 28 stitches on size 10 needles using the wool I bought in Rhinebeck - a natural handspun cushy yarn - worsted to heavy worsted wt.

Row 1 (right side) K11, P2, K2, P2, K11
Row 2 P1, K8, P2, (K2, P2)2x, K8, P1
Row 3 K1, P8, (K2,P2)2x, K2, P8, K1
Row 4 P11, K2, P2, K2, P11
Rows 5, 6, 7, 8 Repeat rows 1 - 4
Row 9 Knit all
Row 10 (P2, K2)2x, P12, (K2, P2)2x
Row 11 (k2, P2)2x, K2, P8, (K2, P2)2x, K2
Row 12 (P2, K2)2x, P2, K8, (P2, K2)2x P2
Row 13 (K2, P2)2x, K10, (K2, P2)2x, K2
Row 14, 15, 16, 17 Repeat rows 1 - 13
Row 18 Purl all

This will work for 28 stitches exactly - if you want to make the pattern wider you will need to see the stitch pattern in the book for the changes for repeats.

I picked this pattern because it looked masculine to me without being boring to knit.

I have been very productive this weekend - today I put up the new blinds in my living room that I had bought this summer and finally changed the curtains. I wanted to do this before we went out and got a tree this year. I like the way it looks:


I really wanted to paint before changing the curtains and getting the tree, but that is just not going to happen. I loved this color when I painted it, but now I really tired of the brightness, I want a neutral backround and a more soothing color scheme. I hope to get the painting done soon - just need to decide on the colors and pick a weekend when David is camping again with the boys so I can work in peace.

Well it rains and it pours When you're out on your own If I crash on the couch Can I sleep in my clothes?

This will be a rambling post - I am in that kind of mood


What I found in my mail today - my Ravelry Scarf Exchange package from koreancracker - Isn't that yarn the exact color of a NE autumn?

I love it

I had an idea a while ago to use some of those 4" bamboo DPN's I bought on ebay to make shawl pins - I went to AC Moore and picked up metallic paint and antique looking buttons and voila:

close ups:


I also bought a few items on ebay recently - one was a large silver pendent - I made this from it and some rubber tubing and silver beads:


I finished one of my Christmas gift scarves - this is for my boss #1 - I love working for this man - he is a pleasure to deal with and one of the reasons I love this job - I really hope he like this:



The wool is so soft and squooshy - it is comfortable around your neck


My birthday is the 19th of this month, it is genetically impossible for David not to give me my gifts when he buys them, so I have already gotten them - see that red lap top in the picture? Yup, mine - birthday gift (can I tell you how much I love this thing?)

I got another gift too, but this one requires a little back story.......

David and I started dating in October 1993, we went away together for the first time June 15th 1994 - yes the day after the Rangers won the Stanley Cup. I watched that last game in David's living room - he had gone to bed because we were leaving first thing the next morning and driving down to DC for a long weekend. I bought this latter that week:

I have worn this tshirt to bed at least once every week since, I also wear it when cleaning house and dying my hair and of course while watching hockey games on TV (NHL Center Ice Package - lots of hockey on tv)

Well after 13 years of wear:


So for my birthday David bought me this:

and the back:


He wants me to throw away the other one, but that is not going to happen! David is camping with the boys this weekend so I was able to sleep in it last night without having to listen to any rude comments.

I think that covers everything for now, have to work on the rest of my christmas scarves and my RME mittens - only 1 thumb to go and they are done.