Pumpkin Sunrise

This cowl is the second broken rib cowl that is a gift for Christmas that I finished last week (I think).  All these cowl knitting gifts are becoming a blur.  You know what isn't a blur?  Seeing an end to the gift knitting. I have the last cowl drying as I type this, stay tuned. Yesterday, I cast on this cowl for me.  I have been drooling over the one my friend made and have been looking at yarns, dreaming about yarns.  I'm pretty sure nearly every knitter has created the Three Color Cowl but me.  I definitely want to be in the 'in crowd' when it comes to knitting so casting on was a priority.  I'm in knitting heaven right now. Oh and I'm casting on a sweater on Christmas day.  I'm excited about that as well. Remember this shawl ?  Yeah, me too.  I shelved this project when I started the cowl gift knitting in September.  I quickly found where I left off and have been working on this during TV time.  What are you working on this wee

Holly staring at the ottoman where Frodo is laying down Our weekend over all was nice.  Friday night I watched Dr Who and knitted away, later in the evening I chatted with my mother in law on the phone.  As you can tell by the photos, Holly has been 'active'. I just don't understand, she doesn't like Frodo barking at her yet she sits and stares at his under the ottoman space, mentally willing him to come out (he does eventually).  He seeks her out, she hisses and swipes, he barks and she gets all huffy about it. She is instigating every single time, so I'm guessing this is a strange cat game. All you cat lovers can you tell me if this is true? squishy yarn for me!  Saturday morning after some noisy 'how do you dos' between the animals, I blitzed a task list.  I wrapped some gifts, paid some bills, tidied up the counters.  I even found a summer vacation rental.  In the evening, we attended Saturday night Mass and was asked by the priest to li

I've decorated the main floor of my house on a smaller scale, yet this smaller scale took me just as long because I had to go through all the boxes of Christmas stuff to find 'the best of' items.  I'm pleased with the results.  Each morning, I sit and write in my journal while shooing the cat away from the tree.  She is persistent. Holly at times is quite respectful of the tree and acts like an angel.  Then she will do a dive bomb into the tree.  She loves the tree and frequently risks safety and walks by the sleeping dog to gaze upon its beauty.  She knows a good thing when she sees it. In hopes of curbing her dive bombing skills, I placed a basket next to the tree for some cat napping.  I think she likes it.  Our cat-dog drama has hit a stride of almost harmony.  Almost.  On December 9th she will be here one whole year.  I cannot imagine the house without her (well I can imagine the quietness of the house without her).  She is gentle, shy and oh so sweet.  F

The above cowl is a simple double moss stitch that was delightful to knit.  Surprisingly, I was able to knit and read at the same time and not make (many) mistakes.  Well, I caught them ultra early, like as I was making the mistake.  This cowl is for Frodo's groomer (and who I babysit for!).  I think she'll love matching her daughter's sweater.  If you are wondering, I cast on 200 stitches, knit double moss stitch until I wanted to cast off. Ravelry notes are here . This orange cowl is another gift that came out beautifully.  I chose the broken rib stitch for the pattern and was thrilled at how easy it is, yet elegant to look at.  If you are wondering, I was able to knit and read at the same time.  Phew!  I'm confident that the recipient will love this cowl.  Ravelry notes are here . I have a few more cowls (one or two) and then I'm free to knit for me me me.  I'm getting excited seeing the end of the holiday knitting.  I enjoyed knitting f

How was your weekend?  The kids came home for an extended weekend so we could all celebrate Thanksgiving with my side of the family.  If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know that we exchange Christmas gifts while we are together.  So my manic gift knitting in September had a good reason to exist.  I had a great time seeing all of my family, eating fantastic food that I did not cook.  I also shopped with my sister on Friday, braving the crazy crowds.  Yesterday I started decorating the house.  I'm trying to strategically decorate with a one year old inquisitive cat in the house.  I put up the smaller tree this year and picked through the ornaments.  I chose ornaments she can't destroy or get hurt on.  Also I picked some that if she destroyed I'd be okay with it.  I did not put anything my mother made (too much emotional value). She is still a little stinker and loves yarn and ribbons.  Even though I placed some of my holiday decorations ou

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and focusing of gratitudes, I'm grateful: -peaceful mornings always with lots of coffee, pens and paper and moments in prayer -family and friends -a miniature schnauzer (Frodo) who still delights us with his rowdy antics -a rescue cat who continues to be a little braver and less shy -yarn shops, yarn buying and all the knitting I can do -my gym membership that insures my ability to knit (and sit!) -living in the country (with electricity, ha ha) -back road driving to and from babysitting, enjoying the fields and mountains I pass by -clean kitchens, easy throw together meals and desserts -a cup of green tea at the end of the day -twinkle lights -all the possibilities before the day starts -seeing a well made to do list crossed off -book reading and book buying -for all of you dear readers who have been visiting here, caring about what I write.   -may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving if you are celebra

I'm excited to share with you two projects completed.  (Yes!  The needles are clicking away).  First off is the Coronet Hat that I quickly whipped up for the toddler because the wintry weather came sooner than later.  I got creative with the icords and the tassels because I thought it would add some uniqueness to the hat.  I want a hat for myself with tassels as well. Ravelry notes are here I know I'm late to be knitting Ginny's Sunday Sweater but better late than never, right?  I finally had a little girl to knit for.  This is the toddler's Christmas dress.  I loved the top down design and the button bands already incorporated into the knitting.  A lovely pattern that was a quick knit (compared to an adult sweater).  Ravelry notes are here What are you knitting or crafting this week?