Finally...an update

I know I have been woefully lacking in posts, but, truthfully, I haven't been knitting much this summer! I seem to be working on the same project, just doing a row here or there. It's a sweater for Emily (the kids asked for sweaters for school. Oy!)

Anyway, for Emily I am trying a Cottage Creations pattern, Kyler's Kardigan in Paton's Canadiana light pink.
I SWORE I would never try another Cottage Creations pattern, but I was at Herrschners store, and I was tempted. So far I can understand most of it, but it's not moving along very fast.

I had a busy day so far. I made beef soup for tomorrow
seared beef for fajitas tonight, made zucchini cake

and creamy cucumbers....mmmmm.
So I'm still alive. I'm taking the kids this afternoon to go see Shrek 4 at Fox Cinema. We haven't been there yet, so I'm hoping it's a good time! :)

One little moth...

...can ruin your whole day.

Brian mentioned to me he'd seen little moths coming out of our room. I finally got up the courage to inspect my wool...and it's chewed to hell. I gathered up everything and put it in the big freezer downstairs, but I'm pretty upset. :(

From now on--quarantined yarn before it comes in (although it is possible my little "bug" girl brought them in the house) and rubbermaid containers. And "nuke the sight from orbit...it's the only way to be sure."

In other news, I have more time to knit, since I've lost 2 of my 3 jobs. :(

Boy, this post is a bummer...sorry about the depressing update. I'll finish some knitting and be more upbeat next time!

Spring has Sprung

After a LONG winter, a taste of summer, and then back to SNOW, it finally seems like Spring may stick around for a while. I planted some flowers, and the columbine is flourishing:
(Emily's Violas)


And the strawberries are blooming very nicely!


I got some beautiful Mother's Day gifts:
And Anna had her Civil War Re-enactment. She got to recite the first verse of "Oh Captain! My Captain!" in front of 5th graders from five schools. I'm very proud of her!!


I have been doing some knitting, and even tried my hand at crochet. Here is a little preemie outfit I knit for friends in the UK. Of course I'm scared that by the time it gets to her, she'll have outgrown it!


I think it's time to knit some socks!! I did join the Loopy Ewe Sock Club Lite, and my first shipment is on it's way!

Saturday

That's pretty much all I have to say. Trying to avoid drama...possibility of drama today is high.

We went to Lake Michigan today--we didn't stay long, because it rained. BUT we did stop to see the Lester Public Library in Two Rivers. What a BEAUTIFUL library!! It's outstanding--and I was amazed by how quiet everyone was (and how well behaved!!) And they had a fish tank! You have to love a library that has a fish tank!

Anyway, on the way there I cast on the Arrowhead Lace headband. I really liked my haircut when I first got it, but it has this tapered look that is meant to hug my face. Unfortunately now, since it is longer, if I sleep wrong or brush it wrong, I tend to have the "Shawn Cassidy/Farrah Fawcett" 70's look, with the feathering. It's driving me crazy.

Anyway, I finished a headband today--I really like it, and I think I'll find some patterns to make some more. I also found 14" not stretched is the perfect length (at least with Cascade 220)

April Snow Showers

Ah, nothing like looking out the window on a fine Spring morning in Wisconsin:

Last week at this time I was sitting at a picnic table with my friend Greta, getting a sunburn. Today....meh.

I have been doing some knitting. Working on this little project for a friend (Shhh...it's a surprise!)...

while my February Lady sweater has been in a holding pattern--but I did want to show you all it is a lot further along than the last picture I posted:

Toying with the idea of buying a Knit Kit. Problem is I already have something like that in a mini knitting bag, so I don't know that I can really justify the price. Ah well....

I went to yoga this morning. I had a different teacher than I usually do, who was very good--but lots of Downward Dog pose. It is my least favorite pose, so this morning was hard for me. I don't usually sweat so much at yoga, but I kinda smelled today.

Yarn Battles

Oh Lisa Souza, I love you. I love your yarn. It is women like you who enable women like me to make beautiful things. And you are genuinely a nice person.

So when my order came today it was everything I thought it would be and more. The color was gorgeous. The yarn was unbelievably soft. I ran right downstairs to wind it into pretty balls so I can knit a beautiful shawlette.

But dear Lisa, I fear your yarn hates me. The other end, that wasn't being made into the pretty little ball right away, would not take no for an answer. It continued to wrap itself around my swift. So much so, I threatened. I yelled. And...my Stork scissors did some things. I cannot be held responsible for what my Stork scissors does.

Anyway, part way through, my ball looked like this:


Unfortunately, I am not the most patient knitter. You would think this would be in a knitter's nature. Knitting takes time. But alas, I am more apt to see a mistake, and more likely than not, just fudge it. Unless it is lace, and very noticeable. Then I usually scream and chuck. Into the corner. Occasionally, I will pick up the object and frog and start over. Sometimes I throw it into a bag.

I am not a patient knitter.

So the remaining yarn on the swift and I had a discussion with my ball winder. The stork scissors stayed close by. I begged and whispered. I may have even yelled a word that started with an F. Fortunately for me (and for it) the remaining bit of yarn whispered back, and told me about that pesky end that continued to wrap itself around the swift? Well IT wanted to go into the ball first. So I did that...

And it worked. I had a cute little ball of yarn, not a lumpy monstrosity. A beautiful, soft, Lisa Souza monstrosity, but a monstrosity nonetheless.


So I took the wonky ball and began winding it into another ball. I had to splice it in one two several places. Stork scissors had been easily annoyed. But I was rewarded.

So my 3 beautiful balls of yarn and my ball winder, the Rubik's Cube (it was lonely) and even the Stork scissors found a way to get along.
So I am off to start a Shawlette. I am hoping Stork scissors does not need to get involved.

I might even go to Google Avenue to knit...

Saffy Jane

Ribbed Keyhole Scarf
Originally uploaded by lkopetsky

My sweet kitty Saffy Jane, passed away on Monday, March 15. She was 17 years old, and my "kid before I had kids". She was always such a good kitty, and never said boo about moving (a million times), new animals, new kids, etc. I couldn't have asked for a better pet--and I miss her like crazy. My heart is broken :(