Little to Big

After a peaceful Christmas holiday in Pennsylvania, I thought I should show some of my holiday/travel knitting. Although I got a few books for Christmas (and a WII Fit!), relaxation for me mostly meant knitting!

First off, I had a quick pair of Knucks to produce for Youngest Child when he vetoed the pair of mittens I'd started for him. I skipped the embroidery but I used a lovely bright shade of green yarn.

Originally, I'd picked up a great pattern for Felted Mittens by Nancy Lindberg over at Ingebretsens in Minneapolis but - once again - I'd mislaid the ball band so I wasn't entirely sure what yarn I had on hand. Could be wool, could be a blend. Since I wasn't going to waste time making and felting a swatch, I decided to make the knucks instead.



I think they make him feel like Ash from Pokemon! He wore them all the time in Pennsylvania - even on the coldest days. After that, I worked on a pair of moccasin slippers for him from Felted Knits. That was a fun pattern but I haven't photographed them yet. They are still a bit damp and need a little more shaping. I think I like them better than the ballet slippers from the same book. They just seem more tailored.



On the drive home today, I finally started on a pair of the Nancy Lindberg Felted Mittens. I don't have the full skeins of Brown Sheep Nature Spun as called for so these mittens will be a hodgepodge of colors. I do wish I'd brought a circular needle - I used every size 7 in my bag as well as a few size 8 dp needles to help hold on all the stitches.

I did have one knitting stop while on vacation - Wolf Creek Yarns in Grove City, Pa. I bought some needles and a gorgeous red skein of Cascade Yarns Eco Wool + yarn. It is shade 8450, a very rich red and 478 yards! This may be for my own felted mittens.

After these mittens, I have to start planning the New Year's knitting. Maybe a finish-a-thon of UFOs?

And the moms all say . . .

"Put some shoes on!"

Good bye skirts! Hello Yarn!

This weekend I did a round of "show and tell" with my skirts. I tried them on, "showed" them to my daughter and she "told" me if they looked good. The net results was six skirts and a belt. I think most of these were desperation skirts. You know, you've got to go to a funeral, a holiday dinner, an opera or a school function and you need a skirt NOW! They never go with any of your other stuff, they don't fit comfortably and they are going a-way. Good bye green skirt, black skirt, one plaid and three florals. Who actually looks good in a jungle print skirt?

I did keep three summer skirts, two black winter skirts, a corduroy skirt and one plaid one for Christmas. Knitting wise, I am taking on a pair of felted moccasins from "Felted Knits." Photos to follow.

Happy St. Lucia Day!

Saffron buns all around!




One present down - I'm sending them on unfelted but I'll felt them for her when I'm in PA for Christmas. Yes, she's got a top loading washing machine!

Friday Fun

Take a look - there's caroling going on my house tonight but not in Swedish. Latin carols only! Although the cold weather did put a damper on the singing . . .



Back to the knitting - Christmas is coming.

Sugar and an early release day

Happy Early Release Day!

Well, we made the cookies yesterday but Youngest Child decorated them today after he came home early from school. Can you tell which ones were decorated by a five year old? I think I have to go knit my sugar headache off.

Would it be greedy?

If I left this out for Santa on Christmas Eve? First of the set done - second one started.

Are you enjoying the snow?

Sunday - it's the new Saturday.

Yeah, I'm about a day behind on everything. I've been making fleece mittens for my church's Mitten Tree project - this week it's pink and next week is green - but I needed to take a picture before the final two pairs were finished. So, I tossed in two pairs I purchased from Kohl's (big, big sale there - about $2 per pair!) to make a complete Saturday Seven. On the side, I'm knitting a scarf and a pair of felted slippers. I've still got another pair of felted slippers (a small pair, thank goodness) and two pairs of fingerless gloves to go.

Luckily, I attended the No Coast Craft-o-Rama yesterday with GFMelissa and took care of a few Christmas presents. Love that show!

Today, it was decorating a Jesse Tree with the under-first-graders at my church and a Christmas choral concert at my daughters' school. Whew. I am looking forward to a little sitting down time right now.

Here Kitty, Kitty

Kitty is the color name of the fingering weight sock yarn that I got as part of my Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap 6 kit. This is from Unplanned Peacock Studio - the owner was my exchangee. I am liking it more and more as I work on this scarf pattern - the pattern is "The Road Not Taken" from A Fine Fleece.

I've been having internet problems recently so this will be a brief post. I really have to get back to the holiday knitting!

And since it's still Friday - perhaps this film will get you in the holiday mood:

Remember that little girl from "Signs?"

The one with the glasses of water everywhere? Well, that was me as I spilled a full glass of water into my laptop bag. And onto my knitting bag, too, but there were no electronics involved there . . .

Dear Mr. Daisy has done a lovely job getting things back online - I was very bummed out by the idea of losing the old lap top - but now, I'll need to get posting again.

New project clashing with the February Sweater. The Road Not Taken Scarf from "A Fine Fleece." Fun and easy so far - I am using the sock yarn I received as part of my HSKS gift.



That cute brown/gold/black yarn at the top of the photo. So far, I am wishing I hadn't wound it so tightly but the yarn is knitting up well. Don't let your angst-y teenager run your ball winder - it's bad for your yarn!

Now, back to knitting and sewing - photos to come later. I am still out here!

Cleaning for Christmas

Thank goodness I am able to pass these on to good home, via a rummage sale. I was thinking I should keep them but I don't need the "early wedding" candlesticks and picture frames anymore, the vases are from florists and the wine glass stem rings and brass plate were both gifts that just weren't my style. I suppose I should start holding things on for my daughters' first apartments but I don't think these were their style either!

We had a lovely weekend - I would be happy to post some pictures but Blogger is having some problems right now - and I ended up buying the fleece I need for the annual mitten tree mitten dash. I know, I am only racing myself, but I am iching to be done with them! We also had a stop at the Yarnery for some bulky Big Wool to make a gift purse for one of my daughters.

I also finished Tudora Mark III - the blue one. I'll be putting that aside for a holiday gift for someone as well. Back to the February Lady Sweater!

Button, Buttton

My Tudora with its button. Still roomy but at least I'm not dropping shawl pins all over the floor.



Here's Tudora Mark II - with its button as well. I thought I should shop for several buttons at once. This time, I'm following the pattern and getting pretty close to gauge. This is using leftover Malabrigo yarn bought several years ago for a "learn to knit aran sweaters" class at Stitches Midwest. Beth Brown-Reinsel was the teacher and it was a great boost to my "knitting comfort" zone. It was a doll sized stitch sampler - all different cables and techniques - so it looked a little odd and I never had a use for it.



As you can see, I never finished the sweater! Youngest Daughter says it would be a good fit for her Dollfie Doll so I am going to finish it for Christmas this year. Probably the quickest knit I ever could produce!

For this Friday, you might enjoy this offering from Snag Films:

Tudor Ta-Da!

A quick little project - originally meant as a holiday gift - but, now it's for me. I didn't quite get the gauge I wanted so I don't think it's good for gifting. I am going to make another one out of some scrap malabrigo as a present.



The Tudora pattern is meant to evoke an Elizabethan neck ruff and it's also asymmetrical. This fuzzy phone photo really shows that off. It tucks into the neck of a coat very nicely. At some point, I'll replace the shawl pin with a button.

I am also spending time on my February Lady's sweater - I really want to power knit some this Thanksgiving. I got a little done today watching "Persuasion" - the recent BBC version - and boy, now I need to have a stiff drink. Or, maybe it's an allergic reaction to the new chlorine mixture at my local pool. Either way, I'm tired, cranky and have a rotten headache. Or, maybe it's just pre-birthday jitters.

Must be nice!

Yes, indeedy, it must be nice to have so many pairs of jeans that you can get rid of four pairs at one time! Middle Daughter must have cleaned her room (although it didn't look much different to me!) because I found a stack of denimn, two pairs of shorts and a teeshirt on the counter in the laundry room. She's at the mall right now - hopefully, not buying four more pairs of jeans - so I can make fun of her behind her back.

As for me, my knitting is mostly Christmas related so I can't post many photos. I thought I'd turn this into a wish list of sorts. As in, "Must be nice to get some of these for Christmas!"



Kate Gilbert's cool Bird in Hand knitting pattern.

How about . . .



Evelyn Clark's Heart Lace Socks pattern?



The ever-popular Elizabeth Zimmermann's Ribwarmer DVD with Meg Swansen?

Or the epitome of sock knitting, some Socks that Rock sock yarn? Let's just say, some Socks that Rock® mediumweight - in Spinel. Yes, Spinel.

Ignore these tips at your peril!

I first saw this clip on "urban unease" author Christopher Fowler's website. Do you sense an upcoming crime? Perhaps the seventh secret is spilled human blood . . .

Hope I haven't spoiled your cuppa with this Friday Film.

Perhaps (in view of yesterday's post), I should say, "Orange you glad?" Oh, that was bad . . . it must be my lack of sleep catching up with me. Youngest Daughter went to see the midnight showing of "Twilight" last night which means I was the one who woke up at 2:30 a.m. to make sure she was locked the door when she came home. She had a lovely time. I was having a lovely time as well - sleeping.

Not kidding about the orange!

Silly Guinifer! I really meant it about the orange. Take your pick - I've got Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Carrot, Alchemy Yarns' Synchronicity in Persimmon and Twisted Sisters' Avarice in Brick.

Also, Lana Grossa Royal Tweed in color #25/orange.

All Things Heather in Pumpkin.

And Rowan Big Wool in Pumpkin.

And remember this day?



I could legitimately call this "Pumpkin" as well.

Not a chance my family will be blending into the snowbanks this winter!

Warm necks make for warm hearts.

CSM Tudora
Originally uploaded by asimple yarn

I need a few quick holiday knits (yes, I've been infected by the Christmas music.) and this free pattern from Knitty looks good. It's called Tudora and it's supposed to remind you of Elizabethan ruffs. Only, not so scrachy!

I don't have the lovely red shown in this photo but i do have some suitable orange. I am a firm believer in bright winter colors. I don't want to be one of those people who falls into a snow bank and their body isn't found until the spring thaw!

Not so Lazy weekends

Well, I finally finished my "Winter Warmer" crochet hat for Youngest Child. It never really took on the shape it had in the Lucinda Guy book but it is still cute. I skipped the ear flaps - they looked extremely odd - and just kept the hat.



I think the problems came from the rectangular start - it looks neat but it played hell with the "round head" shaping. Mr. Daisy has already put in an order for one - Christmas present, maybe?

Just a quick note to mention that - while I did take pictures of the Saturday Seven - the photos were terrible. Half were my items - a pair of brown Dockers that I managed to shrink, a long sleeved tee shirt and two turtlenecks that I just never liked - and three came from Dear Husband - three 4x8 sheets to drywall. The clothing are going to the charity drop off box at my church and the drywall already went to some neighbors. That makes it much easier to park in the garage!

Yesterday, after all the usual family stuff, GFMelissa and I ducked into the the Christmas Fair over at the Swedish American Institute in Minneapolis. This was a fabulous start to their holiday shopping season and I highly recommend visiting their gift shop.

You'll want to get on their mailing list anyway because of the upcoming "Radiant Knits: The Bohus Tradition" exhibit and workshops from January 23 – March 29, 2009. I am going to the opening weekend and can't wait to hear the speakers and watch the film that is part of the exhibit. I took a class in Bohus style knitting - it's very fine two-color knitting - and the SAI gift shop is going to stock Bohus knitting kits. It appears that they will have both sweater and hat/scarf sets.

Today wasn't quite so relaxing. I was swimming in my first individual - non relay events - Minnesota Masters Swim meet in Northfield, Minnesota at the St. Olaf College pool. It was a Pentathlon meet where you swim five events. I did very well in my age group with the exception of breast stroke and even that wasn't bad. So, now I'll know what to expect in the future!

Now, I'll be able to settle down with some knitting by the fire.

The REAL Friday posting - and an anniversary

Well, a long, long time ago (but NOT in a galaxy far, far away!), I decided to put together a knitting blog.

Someone very famous once wrote, "It is but a small thing but it is mine own." And this is! It's been a lot of fun to put up all kinds of knitting related stuff - from drivel to Diogenes - and just have me to answer to it. Can you tell I've been on the phone and emailing about an event that four sets of people are trying to plan? It is driving me nuts!

So, look past the silliness and "Happy 3rd Blogiversary to me!"

Today, I did get a chance to stop by the Weavers Guild of Minnesota's 34th Annual Fiber Fair. They have absolutely great stuff - I always buy some Christmas stuff there - and it was hard not to stock up on gifts for me.

Stop by Today (November 14: 12 pm to 9 pm) and the rest of the weekend:

November 15: 10 am to 5 pm
November 16: 12 pm to 4 pm

Choose from an assortment of handmade items such as scarves, bags, rugs, table linens, hand spun yarn and much, much more.
And what is very good - all proceeds from the Fiber Fair support local artists and the Weavers Guild.

Here's a little peek at the takings:



That's fleece and fiber on the left and woven goodies on the right.

And for me - I'll try and add another photo tonight - I am up to the ear flap of the re-knitted Winter Warmer. Who says Crochet is easy? Hmm, Miss GFM? It's even been in my dreams lately.

Last and not least: The Friday Film. In honor of Minnesota - check out:

Having a go at it - a new Hufflepuff motto?

Nah, just for those silly Quidditch fans! This is the last one of the term so - go ME!

1. Who was Tom Riddle Sr.'s girlfriend before Merope gave him the love potion?
b. Cecilia

2. What does Luna say floated into Harry's ear when he was in the train car that supposedly caused him to lose focus?
c. Wrackspurt

3. How much do the primary Apparition lessons cost?
d. 12 galleons

4. What is Professor Merrythought's first name?
b. Galatea

5. What Hogwarts club was Eileen Prince captain of?
b. Gobstones Club

6. Who is head of the Goblin Liaison office?
b. Dirk Cresswell

7. Mrs. Weasley offers Fleur a goblin-made tiara for the wedding with Bill. What family member is currently in possession of the tiara?
a. Aunt Muriel

8. How many points does Snape take from Gryffindor for Harry's late arrival and muggle attire?
b. 70

9. When Profressory Slughorn first meets Hermione, he asks her whether she is related to Hector Dagworth-Granger. What society did Dgworth-Granger found?
d. The Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers

10. Which of these describes Golpalott's Third Law?
d. The antidote for a blended poison will be equal to more than the sum of the antidotes for each of the separate components.

Thank goodness I have study partners.

My little project

I've been working on a pattern for a "afghan block of the month" project the Minnesota Knitters' Guild is putting together. It was fun but I took it to a concert on Saturday night and the pattern ran extremely astray. The fact that the block is supposed to be 8 inches by 8 inches, NOT the 7 by 9 inches that I designed did not improve the design. Back to the design board!

The day the bananas went rogue . . .

Never taunt a banana. It can only lead to tears.



Poor Mr. Daisy.




The Saturday Seven was discovered on a field trip to my basement. I have no idea why we have even more belts for vacumn cleaners that we no longer own but here are two belts, four grilling utensils - cleverly disguised as screwdrivers - and yet another ice cube tray. Hopefully, someone will be looking for these at rummage sales in the Twin Cities.

Hope you enjoying the snow! We have a fire going in the fireplace . . .

P.S. I do not own a sock knitting machine but I do covet one. Birthday ideas, anyone? Buehler?

This is making you sleepy, very sleepy!

A 1924 Gearhart Sock Knitting Machine is shown here making heels, toes and ribbing. It is fascinating - and oh, so stupefying. Think of this Friday Film as a little dose of sleeping powder!

My Winter Warmer Hat? A little more exciting as I am having to add short rows to even out the oval shape into a round, head-shaped object.

A HSKS 6 Package for Me!!

A lovely little UPS owl dropped this off today - straight from Aurora Curlyfur in Gryffindor! It is just chock full of handmade goodies - hand dyed yarn, a knitted purse and a cute felted zip bag for needles and such. The tea was delicious, the sock yarn is soft (and a muted shade for Hufflepuffs - not the curse of lurid House colors for me!) and the sock needles are short. I also got a great stitch pattern directory. Really, you couldn't ask for a nicer package! Let's hope it helps me get ready for Hogwarts finals!



Knitting wise - I've moved below the neckline on the February Lady Sweater and made a cute little beginning of the Winter Woolie hat from Lucinda Guy's Crochet Designs for Kids.

Now for something completely non-political!

And completely non-knitting related. I'm learning how to do this and can only say - I wish I could go back in a time machine and make my teen-aged self work harder on this stroke! It's fun but - oh, so hard for my middle-aged self!

The Saturday that kept on giving

Let's get this out of the way:

Saturday Seven this week came courtesy of Youngest Child - six nice outgrown teeshirts and one really nice designer polo shirt. This was a hand-me-down from a friend and it got pushed to the back of the closet. So, it was never used and still has it's tags. Off to the rummage sale!

I was delayed in my blogging because we went to the Minnesota Opera on Saturday night. It was a lovely production of "The Abduction From the Seraglio" set on the Orient Express train. A very cool 1920s kind of production.



This week I can finally talk about my HSKS 6 swap package - my spoilee was Chrysta the Cursed - because I sent out the package and she received it. It was lots of fun to follow her interests and pick out some lovely yarn. I used as my theme "What Santa brings to Good Knitters" and I enjoyed exploring Christmas before it was even Halloween!



I made the little bag for Chysta and liked it so much that I made one for Good Friend Melissa - Happy Birthday Missy! - now, I need to make one for me.

As for knitting, I am just past the yoke of the February Lady Sweater and about halfway through one of the Gentleman Socks. I took them to the opera but forgot the pattern and needed a little more light to figure out my place in the repeat. The man sitting in front of me did exclaim, "She's knitting!" to his date. I was just glad he knew the difference from crochet.

Which brings us to today and the "Great Crochet Date." Some of the ladies in my book group and their kids got together today and learned to crochet. I really needed a review and thanks to Mel and Anna, I think I turned the corner on flat crochet. I am working on a winter hat pattern from Lucinda Guy's "Crochet Designs for Kids: 20 Projects to Make for Girls & Boys."

Happy Halloween from our Superheroes to Yours!

Batgirl, Ironman, Cat Woman and (ta da!) Abby Sciuto - the forensic tech from NCIS - all stopped by to wish you a "Happy Halloween!"

In honor of their fine work, take a look at this week's Friday Film:

Finally, time to put away the Palindrome Scarf!

Okay, this really wasn't that hard or terrible to knit. In fact, the Palindrome Hat and Scarf were really easy to knit. Those decreases were excellent! But I really want to be working on my February Lady Sweater and Mr. Daisy's Gentleman Socks. Time to move on, time to move on!

A new wand for a new year at Hogwarts

Wood type: holly Length: 10½ inches Core: Unicorn Hair get your own wand!

I have to admit, I never liked my old wand. It was old and a hand-me-down. So, just in time for HSKS 6, I leapt at the chance to visit Diagon Alley for a new wand of my own.

According to Mr. Ollivander, my wand is made of holly which "tends to pick an owner who's brave and pure of heart, not to mention has a high intelligence." And holly wand owners are generally "determined." Well, so far so good. The core is made of unicorn hair (I'd like to see who gets that job!) which is for "those with pure intentions."

Thanks, Mr. O! I'll be sure to bring it to the Halloween Ball.

They're mad for Mad Libs at Hogwarts!

Me? Not so much. But, as there are points involved, I'll do it. Remember the list I posted a few days ago?

1. Name of a male professor at Hogwarts - Remus Lupin
2. A subject at Hogwarts - Charms
3. A prime number between 53 and 1000 - 59
4. A professor at Hogwarts (either gender) - Minerva McGonagall
5. A body part - a leg
6. A verb - to swim
7. Your character name - Penelope Clearwater
8. Your favorite Quidditch team - Moose Jaw Meteorites
9. Someone (or someones) you'd find in a portrait at Hogwarts - Sir Cadogan
10. A number between 1 and 7 - 5
11. 20 minus your answer for #10 - 15
12. A craft (noun) - knit
13. A Hogwarts House other than Hufflepuff - Ravenclaw
14. Something they'd sell in Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes that makes a big mess, loud noise, lots of smoke, or general nuisance - Portable Swamp.
15. The character name of another swapper in HSKS6 - Emma Wigworthy
16. A subject at Hogwarts - Ancient Runes.

This is where they come into play:

Run, Hufflepuff, Run!

Professor Lupin was having a terrible morning, and it wasn't even breakfast yet. Someone broke into the Charms classroom the night before, hid a Boggart in the closet, and set loose 59 doxies. How did he know there were 59 doxies? Because each one took a bite out of his leg as he tried to capture it, and Madame Pomfrey had to swim each wound separately. And comment annoyingly about how Professor Minerva McGonagall would've had the room cleared out with 2 waves of a wand.

It took forever to get out of the infirmary, and by then Professor Lupin was in a foul mood. Luckily, he knew how to improve it: by finding the culprits and making him, her or them pay. Lupin had overheard some students giggling in the hallways the other day about Penelope Clearwater's stash of doxy eggs, so he had a good idea of who to interrogate first. Unfortunately for him, but rather fortunately for Penelope Clearwater, the common room password had recently been changed to Moose Jaw Meteorites, so Lupin couldn't enter. Sir Cadogan looked up from his portrait and laughed at the cursing, frustrated Professor.

The old Professor Lupin would have thrown a hissy fit at being taunted by a mere portrait, and blasted the thing all the way into the 5th floor girl's bathroom. The new Professor Lupin went to 15 weeks of Anger Management classes, punched a lot of pillows, and took up knitting. And started subscribing to the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes catalogue.

Professor Lupin's first class of the day was Charms with the 3rd year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. It took them 2 hours to clean up after the entire carton of Portable Swamps that went off and clung to their robes, schoolbooks, and any exposed flesh. The students all knew that Penelope was planning to do something in Charms to get Professor Lupin, so everyone blamed her for the prank and gave her the cold shoulder for 17 days, until Emma Wigworthy blew up the Ancient Runes classroom with a misplaced charm and became the new pariah-of-the-hour.

Silly but - it is just high school!

What a beautiful day!

But the lovely fall weather has nothing to do with the Saturday Seven.

Here



and here.



Cleaning out my kitchen cabinet, under Oldest Daughter's bed and the table in the basement produced a number of unrelated items. I'll leave you to guess which spot produced which items! I do count the two ice cube trays as one item, however.

Just another chance for knitters to get together:

Knitwear designer and knit blogger Annie Modesitt will be reading from " Knit With Courage, Live With Hope: A Year in Saint Paul" on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Common Good Books, 165 Western Ave N. in Saint Paul, MN.

She's a great teacher and a funny writer - and it's within walking distance for me! Parking is kinda tight in the neighborhood so get there early!

Bike Boulevards - a good example

I think this film a great way to explain what a Bike Boulevard is. I had heard that Saint Paul was considering turning part of Highland Parkway into a Bike Boulevard and wondered how such a thing would work. I think this film very clearly explains how cars, bikes and pedestrians can work together. If you are a Saint Paulite and a cyclist, you might be interested in attending this meeting.

What: Highland District Council Community Meeting
When: Monday, October 27th, 7:00-9:00pm
Where: Hillcrest Rec Center, 1978 Ford Parkway

Curious about plans for better bicycling in St. Paul?
Steve Clark (Bike Walk Twin Cities/Transit for Livable Communities) and Jessica Treat (St. Paul Smart Trips) will provide information on how pedestrians and bicyclists can be safer and more comfortable on streets known as "bicycle boulevards." Other presenters include St. Paul Public Works and the Highland District Council. Public comment will be taken at the meeting.

Please come lend your support for bicycling and walking and help us get the message out that these are safe, efficient, and community-friendly modes of transportation. Projects like bicycle boulevards provide transportation choices for local residents and the broader community, so perspectives from around the city are valuable in this process.

See you there!

RAOK!

When you see RAOK on a package, what do you think of? I was trying to figure this out when I opened it and saw . . .



A beautiful skein of yarn, yummy candy and pretty stitchmarkers!

Lily Mae Clearwater (from my House, Hufflepuff) sent me a Random Act of Kindness package all the way from the Muggle UK!

This really made my day!

And in further Hogwarts business: Some lists:

1. Name of a male professor at Hogwarts - Remus Lupin
2. A subject at Hogwarts - Charms
3. A prime number between 53 and 1000 - 59
4. A professor at Hogwarts (either gender) - Minerva McGonagall
5. A body part - a leg
6. A verb - to swim
7. Your character name - Penelope Clearwater
8. Your favorite Quidditch team - Moose Jaw Meteorites
9. Someone (or someones) you'd find in a portrait at Hogwarts - Sir Cadogan
10. A number between 1 and 7 - 5
11. 20 minus your answer for #10 - 15
12. A craft (noun) - knit
13. A Hogwarts House other than Hufflepuff - Ravenclaw
14. Something they'd sell in Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes that makes a big mess, loud noise, lots of smoke, or general nuisance - Portable Swamp.
15. The character name of another swapper in HSKS6 - Emma Wigworthy
16. A subject at Hogwarts - Ancient Runes.

In knitting news: I am finishing up the Palindrome Scarf and working on Gentleman Socks and the February Lady Sweater. That one is so soft that it's drawing me away from the other projects! It's that little Alpaca Problem rearing its head again!

A quick glimpse

Just a quick look at the neckline of my February Lady Sweater. I've been fitting it in every so often when I need a break from my Palindrome Scarf. I've been working on my project for my HSKS partner - lots of fun things! - and getting ready for last night's Minnesota Knitters' Guild meeting. Our speaker was Warren Hanson, author of Kiki's Hats.



He spoke about how he came to find this project and then read the book aloud. Afterwards, he sold and signed books. It was a lot of fun and - guess what? - the real Kiki was there too!

Okay, I never saw this coming!

Funny, I always thought I was a Snape kind of girl but . . . test results are test results. How will I ever break this to Mr. Daisy?

Your result for The Harry Potter Husband Test...

Mrs. Harry Potter

Your perfect HP man is Harry Potter.

You like a guy who's not afraid to fight evil when evil picks a fight. There's a lot to say for bravery in the face of overwhelming odds, even if it does come with a prejudice against people who don't fit into his conception of "good guy" and a penchant for hurling objects across rooms when he gets angry. But in fairness, for an orphan who's spent the better part of his life being hunted by the most evil wizard in existence, he's turned out pretty well. Just be prepared to name your kids after everyone he's ever lost, because he's got a bit of an obsession about the past.

(Fanart by hito 76 http://hito76.deviantart.com/ Used with permission.)

Take The Harry Potter Husband Test at HelloQuizzy

MEA Weekend - now I really need a nap!

In Minnesota, this is a long weekend off school - designed to allow teachers to attend a statewide convention. While this is a very worthwhile event, it does make for some shellshocked parents. After Youngest Child's trips to the Y, lunch out with young friends and a hiking trip for fossils, I am ready for a nap.



He is, in fact, smiling in this picture.



The caterpillar seemed apprehensive. He may, in fact, be dead.

I did get to spend some time working on the Get Set for Winter Scarf - otherwise known as the Palindrome Scarf - this morning at soccer but my knitting time has been mostly absorbed into "entertain the children" time. I am so looking forward to Sunday!



Luckily, Dear Mr. Daisy cleaned out his dresser drawers: two pairs of gym shorts, a pair of sweatpants, one polo shirt and a sweater. I added a notebook from the Minnesota Knitters' Guild and a former Monday Night Book Club pick. It was worth reading but not re-reading. And the notebook is going to Oldest Daughter at college. She is getting a lot of knitting done while she works at the IT help desk.

Back to cleaning up the playdough!

Knit, Purl, Paper

Paper doesn't often move like yarn but this film shows a whole different side of origami. Just another Friday Film.

Another round of Quidditch for Hogwarts

1. What animal does the portrait in the Muggle Prime Minster’s office resemble?
b. Frog

2. What drink does Romilda Vane try to give Harry?
a. Gillywater

3. What is the name of the person who heads the Holyhead Harpies?
b. Gwenog Jones

4. How many ‘Exceeds Expectation’ grades does Harry receive in his O.W.L’s?
c. 5

5. What is Professor Sughorn’s favorite candy?
d. Crystallized Pineapple

6. What tattoo is Harry reported to have on his chest?
c. Hippogriff

7. What color robes do the staff at the Weasley’s shop wear?
b. Magenta

8. What is the man outside Flourish and Blotts selling?
a. Amulets

9. How much is the skull, which Hermione enquires about at Borgin and Burkes, worth?
c. 16 Galleons

10. What are Professor Slughorn’s initials?
b. H.E.F.

I am so thankful for my housemates at Hogwarts! Our study group's Quidditch work really helped me out! And I thought I would never be able to fly fast! Although my latest charms work has left me with terrible case of the Exclamation Points!

Secret knitting on the home front

Sometimes you just need a little time on your own projects. I've been working on scarves and hats for a charitable service project of the Minnesota Knitters' Guild as well as a pair of socks for dear Mr. Daisy. Now, I got wind of a cute little project on Ravelry - the February Lady Sweater - and I have to knit it NOW!

I've knitted a February Baby Sweater before.



I especially loved the gull wing lace pattern. So, when I found the adult version online, I just had to make it for myself.



And, since I have 10 lovely skeins of Berroco Ultra Alpaca cluttering up the yarn closet, a February Lady Sweater it is!

Hitting the Wisconsin road again!

Overheard in my kitchen -

"So, baby, let me tell you about my last goal . . ."
"Is that the one where you poked your own goalie in the eye?"

Let's Play Hockey!

Today is the Minnesota Wild's home opener against the Boston Bruins! Here's hoping Josh Harding's eye is all better . . .

I'm hitting the road again today with the Monday Night Book Club. We're off to Wisconsin and I'm only stopping by to blog for just a minute.




Middle Daughter cleaned her room and I found the Saturday Seven waiting for me. She does pick up the most eclectic sort of books!