Jewel's Purls

Kitty Schmutz

Out of the three cats we have, Mia is the only one who schmutzes.   She schmutzes on the edges of doors, chair legs, human legs, boxes - you name it.

I recently got together a belated birthday box for Lorraine and she schmutzed it before I could get it out of the house.  You can't see it but I bet Chow Chops will find it...

P.S.  I later re-read this post and need to edit it to say:  I recently got together a belated birthday box for Lorraine and Meems schmutzed it before I could get it out of the house.  I certainly don't want people to think that Lorraine goes around schmutzing.  At least I don't think she does.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

I like doing two sleeves at a time when I can. That way when I whine to myself about how long its taking, I remind myself that when they're done, they're done! Seriously though, Kilkenny has been a joy to knit.
I could have had it done by now had I not been working on socks and other things. Anyhoo, here's a picture. It's from my camera phone taken at work, but it's better than nothing.

Kilkenny, Stash Augmentation, and a Prize!

I have to start this post with one of the most wonderful things that has happened to me in a long time.  I won a Rainey Sisters Mug!  Woo hoo!  I entered their anniversary contest and submitted my most disastrous knitting story.  It's too painful to go into detail again but you can read all about it here.  My morning coffee definitely tastes better in a Rainey Sisters mug.  Thanks, Susan and Sally!

The Rainey Sisters are just so cute.  Look at Susan's Kauni cardigan.  This weekend it was in the 80s and I can't fathom wearing wool right now.

Okay.  Knitting content.  I've been merrily knitting away on Kilkenny.  I've finished the front and back and am doing the sleeves together at the same time.  I like knowing that when they're done Kilkenny is just about finished.  It seems to take forever to do them, but I know they'll be identical. 

There has been much stash enhancing going on in the last few months.  I hold Lorraine mostly to blame.  Her birthday was last week and in honor of her birthday I purchased more yarn.  I think it was a wonderful tribute to such a dear friend, don't you?

Here is the latest from The Woolen Rabbit:

From left to right:  Scarlett Devil lace, Scarlett Devil sock, Calendula Sock, and Tequila Sunrise sock.   Scrumptious. 

And here is the latest from White Willow:

From left to right:  3 hanks of Snowflake lace, Sandstone rose sock, and Spot sock yarn.

That's about it for now.   A quick drive by blog post is better than nothing, no?

Golden Oak Socks - Finished!

I got these socks finished and thought I'd do a quick fly-by posting before heading out to the Yarn Tasting Party at Yarndogs.   These photos will show you that the camera on my phone is crappy and that the colors aren't really oranges and blacks, but rather oranges, browns, and rust browns.  It's gorgeous colors and a wonderful yarn.  I got it from Brooke at her Etsy shop.

Mia graciously modeled with the socks.  She insisted that she needed to be the backdrop to show you that she is the only black in this photo.

Here is a closeup of the knitted socks to show off the gorgeousness of the coloring.  Brooke does such a great job, doesn't she?  I like how the colors never really pooled.

I'm off for the evening with Celia.  I'm bringing my camera and I hope to get my blog updated tomorrow. Mia is not amused that I will not be here this evening to watch TV with her.

"I can't believe you're leaving me here with the cats and the Y-chromosome humans." - Mia

Golden Oak Socks

This is a blog post from my cell phone. I figured I'd better get something posted or Lorraine will send the blog posse after me.

Here are socks I'm finishing from Brooke's sock yarn. These are just plain jane socks which fit so well. You can find the pattern at www.wendyknits.net. I haven't figured out how to do links yet so you're on your own.

Saturday night Celia and I will be going to a yarn tasting party. Wine, chocolate, and yarn will be served.

Stay Tuned

Despite my blog absence, I have been busy knitting and stash enhancing.  I will post photos soon!

My Rant

Dear Coworker:

I’m really glad you like your job.  The fact that you find yourself indispensible astounds me, but facts are facts and you are always here. You are convinced the office will go to hell without you here. Your boss forces you to take the mandatory time off each year (the use-it-or-lose-it kind of time off) and you only take the days off given to us as governed by our union rules.  If you could find some way to be here those days I’m sure you’d have found a way by now. 

Which brings me to this point:  I am positive you have gadzooks of sick time. I would bet my yarn stash on it.  When you are sick, please stay home.  I have spent the past month combating my germs and copious secretions with various pharmaceuticals, the latest of which includes antibiotics (again).  I certainly do not need you to bring your fresh lively healthy germs into the office just when I almost have mine beaten to death.

Please take your sick self home and stay home.  Please.

My Protege

I have a secret. At work I have a knitting protege. She is quite talented. Can you believe her very first project was a cabled knitted scarf?? Today she came in to show me her lace lap blanket. Celia has picked this up with no problem. She says her next project is going to be Kilkenny. I have no doubt she will do great!!  (Sorry - the photo was taken with my phone.  I'll get a better photo next time.)

My Knitting Blahs

I've been suffering from the knitting blahs lately.  I still have Luskentyre languishing on the sides, but I've been craving texture work, something with thicker yarn.  So, I've been having start fits.  In the last week I've started about 4 different projects and felt "meh" about them.  So, I frogged them and looked for something else.  Meanwhile between my start fits, I've managed to start and finish a few quick things.  Here is Hot Waffles by Anne Hanson.  The yarn is Beach Fog in Dream in Color Classy.  I see more of these in my future as gifts. 

I also did a scarf as a gift for my older son to give and did the Paris-Roubaix scarf, again by Anne  Hanson.  This is knitted in November Muse in Dream in Color Classy.  Another great pattern that I'll definitely be digging out again.

So, once my start fits were through, I finally settled on something that I loved.  Kilkenny.  I'm using Jamieson's Soft Shetland in Cedar.  It's tough to get a picture that captures both the color and the cables, so here are two photos side by side.  The photo on the left is very close to showing the true color and the one on the right shows the cables better.  The photo shows the completion of almost one repeat.  I'm currently just finishing the fourth repeat.  I'm so in love with this project!

As I'm getting older I'm finding it harder to remember what projects I've knitted with superwash yarn and what projects need to be handwashed.  So, I've come up with a solution.  I suppose it takes away from the handknitted feel but if I give something to someone I want them to remember how to take care of it.  Heck, I want to remember how to wash something of my own!

I found these labels when I placed my order.  I couldn't resist. 

Not only will I remember how to wash my handknitted items, I'll remember my name, too!

Kilkenny

Meet my new friend. I'm knitting Lorraine's design, Kilkenny, in Soft Shetland in the color Cedar. I apologize for the not-so-great photo but this is a post from my Treo phone.