So Many Thoughts

I have so much to say, but just can't say it. I spent some time yesterday while we were waiting for our plane home, to write out my thoughts on how my dad is doing. It's not all good. BUT, I really want to tell you about the fun stuff that Kim and I did.

We went shopping! We went to Mervyn's and she found cute PJ's with Cap'n Jack on them, and I found a really cute little sweater for summer. We also went to The Great Mall. Holy cow, that place is huge! It is an outlet mall, though not all the stores in it are of the outlet type. There was
Hot Topic, Papaya, two stores that Kim really likes and I know we have them here, so I wasn't willing to pay sales tax at those two places. We did find some other cool stores for t-shirts, underclothing, etc.

Thursday evening we hit Purlescence Yarns for their Knit Night! Oh what fun that was.



We met lots



and lots




of other bloggers,



saw Nathania and even held little Elinor. It was wonderful, warm and funny. Thank you guys for the wonderful welcome. We will definitely stop back in when we are in town.


Kim and baby.


Mom and baby.



Me and baby.


I had to share the stupidest thing I did on Monday. We were headed to the airport, and I was knitting furiously to finish my pair of Fetching. Well, I cast off with just seconds left before we were to get out of the van. I told everyone I was going to leave the yarn in the van since I didn't need it and didn't want to transport it to California with me. So, later we are sitting in the gate area and I pull out my Fetching to finish it up. I realize that I hadn't done something and there was no way I could finish them to wear on this trip.


Can you tell what's missing? THUMBS. I was not happy, but at the same time, I couldn't help but laugh.

Knitting and Travel

Wow, 2 weeks is a long time between posts. I thought I would do just a little update. I finished another pair of Fetching, this time for Kim. When I had cut the last string I proclaimed that the next pair was for ME!

I really didn't mind working with this color so much. It kind of grew on me. The color is a bright green, almost neon. It is Knitpick's Swish Superwash in the colorway Aloe. I think I used US 3's. Modifications to make them a little bit longer.

I finished the sleeves to Kim's sweater and started on the fronts. I think I am about 1/3 of the way with them.

And here's a picture of the Chevron scarf I started. I think it will make a good airplane project. More on that in a second.


So, Monday, Kim and I fly out to California to spend the week with my dad. My mom is headed to an organist conference in Tuscon, AZ and dad really needs someone around to help him out if he needs it. Kim calls this trip "babysitting grandpa". I do hope we will get to one of the lys's called Purlescence Yarns.

The weather is being weird again. Mostly just cold. There may be some snow/ice coming in the next day or so. I am really hoping it doesn't interfere with our travel plans or Kim's dance on Sunday night. Please keep your fingers crossed for us.

We'll see you again next week, since I don't know what the internet connections will be like while we are down there.

Have I Mentioned GAUGE lately?

First I'm going to woo you with a Finished Object of great beauty!! The sweater called Lisa.
It is a Debbie Bliss pattern out of her book 7. The yarn is also Debbie Bliss, Cashmerino Aran. I used US 4's to get gauge and it is a little bit snug, but I think it will work.


I will be taking a picture of it on a real live body, probably Monday. I am so happy to have it done, but when I post the other photo's of it, I'll go into a bit of the nightmare aspects of this knit.

Now onto my gauge issues AGAIN. After casting off of Lisa and weaving all of the ends in, I started on Kim's Kilcar. I had swatched it, and was going down something like 5 needle sizes!! to try to get gauge. I figured I could start on the sleeves and make my gauge work that way. I started and did the first two repeat sections on US size 5. The pattern is 10 rows long, so it's not too bad. After doing the two repeats, I had Kim try it around her upper arm. The pattern doesn't decrease or increase going up the arm at all, so I knew it would be the same measurement at the top. It was fairly snug, so instead of ripping out, I switched to US 7's and it looks like it might actually work out. The sweater is baggy as it is, it's like a sweater-coat. I've been told that the pattern is similar to the Monkey socks by Cookie A. And, I think I am getting gauge in the pattern on the size 7's. THANK YOU GAIL for the idea.

Happy New Year

2008

A good year, look to the future, and not to the past.

To all my friends and family. Happy New Year. May this year bring you numerous blessings.