stix and a ball of string....

After several weeks of picking up and laying down...my crazy hat is done! It has been a slow moving project but that was my fault as I not worked on it very long at at time. I have just picked it up...Done a few rows...put it down. I hand knitted it with Bernat Sox yarn (color - Hot Tamale) and used No. 3 circular needles. The picture does not do it justice (camera operator error) as it really is a super hat. It is very stretchy and so soft.
I worked on several preemie hats on my knitting looms this week and finished about seven. I feel really good about that especially since the weather has been really nice and I wanted to stay outside. I think that I have contracted a case of Spring Fever! But that is okay too - well, supper dishes are waiting. :)
Happy Knitting :)
*GB2G*

My Loomed Slipper Sox 

I finally finished my slipper sox and I am very pleased with the way that they turned out. I finished them off with a square toe as I plan to wear them as socks too this Fall with my Birks. I love the way they turned out and they are so warm. I know that these socks may be too thick for some to wear as sox but for me they are just great. I am very cold natured so they will be perfect for me. They would have been a very quick project if I had worked more consistently on them but since they were for me I just worked on them in between other projects. I used the LB chunky yarn (purple of course:) and my adult sock loom. I hated to take time away from Teeny Tiny Treasures, Ship Support and Prayer Shawl Ministry to work on them...since I was not in a hurry. But I have included a picture so you can see the final result.
I got an email from NuMei that my yarn order has shipped - it should be here on Thursday. I am very excited as I purchased some very lovely yarns at super prices. They have some really good sale prices right now on some select yarns so you might want to check it out - www.numei.com. Hey...why should I be the only one sleeping on yarn. :) Now to finish my other slipper sox that I started for Ship Support this weekend. I have one completed and half of another one done so I will try to complete the last one tonight.
Until later - enjoy the fibers :o)
Happy Knitting :)
*GB2G*

It finally made it - the weekend and boy was I glad to see it :) This week was a tough one and the the thoughts of a few days away from the office was such a welcome relief. It was a productive week though so I cannot say that it was a bad week in that direction but the stress levels were high. But it is behind me now so we will look toward brighter horizons. Today was just gorgeous - the perfect spring day - and I loved every minute of it :) It was sunny, 62 degrees and clear blue skies - God's work was shining today. My tulips are blooming so lovely and the sweet smell of the Jamine vine blooming at the corner of the back porch just called to me all day. I did not get to spend as much time outside as I would have liked but I slipped out to enjoy the sunshine when a spare moment presented itself. I had so much housework to do and laundry galore.

I did take a break from all the work when Knitty Gritty came on - I love that show! It was a very interesting show today as they showed some lovely ponchos, shrugs and shawls made with rectangles. It was really cool - watch it if you get the chance. I am definitely going to print off the pattern from the website as I really want to try that shrug. And speaking of shawls, I gave away my first shawl ministry shawl this week. It is such a touching experience to present the shawl to someone - the feelings that you have cannot be expressed in words. If you are interested in this ministry please check it out at www.shawlministry.com. It has really been a blessing to me.

Knits Picks new catalog came in the mail today -- I have grabbed seconds to stop and browse through it all day - I feel like a kid in a candy store with so many new lovely yarns. It is on the web if you do not get the paper catalog at www.knitpicks.com. They also have the new book out by Meg Swansen "The Opinionated Knitter" - which I have added to my long wish list. There is a really nice article about how Meg brought the book together. It is a very interesting read - check it out:0)
Happy Knitting :)
*GB2G*

Gee...what a day! It was so hectic and busy before lunch that I hardly had time to breathe. The phones rang off the hook until about 2:00 this evening then it finally slowed down. I did not even get to take a lunch break which was stinky. I had wanted to finish the hat that I was working on during lunch today but alas - not to be. I did at least get my items for Ship Support sent out and also the box of things that I packaged up for Online Angels shipped so that was good. It has been a while since I sent some things to Mary so I had a pretty good size box full of items for her this time.
I have almost finished one of my loomed slipper socks. I am doing them in LB Chunky USA and it is working well. Even though this is my first effort at slipper socks I am pleased with the way they are turning out. I am hoping to finish them soon. It is getting too warm for them now but I will be ready for fall anyway :)
I finished my comfort prayer shawl this weekend so I am going to start on a new one. I bought some lovely boucle yarn from Smiley's Yarn ( it was on sale for .99) the colors were so cheerful that I am anxious to start working with them.
My bootie looms have stayed busy this week. I proclaimed this "Bootie Week" and I have been making preemie booties on my new loom from Lynn this week. I have been using some Caron bright varigated yarn and I love it! It is not what you normally think of as baby colors but it looks happy - so I am loving it! I had better see what I can find for supper as DH will finish mowing soon and will want to eat so I will sign off for now.
...'till later, and remember...

Happy Knitting :)
*GB2G*

my slipper sock progress 

Finally completed some of my WIPs - that always makes me feel so good. I guess it is because I seem to have an endless number of things in progress and to finish some is just so fulfilling. Every time I get something done I tell myself that I will complete some more of my WIPs before I start any more new ones, but...Then I find some really yummy yarn that I just have to try, or come across a new pattern that calls to me, and..Then I am right back where I was - behind! Oh, well, it is okay as I am just happy to be working with fibers...So I will just revel in my love of the yarn :)
Now that I have totally gotten away from my original train of though, let's return to the completed items. I finished my triangle prayer shawl done in Bright and Lofty yarn (pheasant color). It is very fluffy and cuddly - I am quite pleased with the way that it turned out. I was concerned at first that this yarn might be too heavy but the feel of softness and bulk of the shawl seems to beg you to wrap up in it - so the comfort shawl is done.
My hats for Ship Support are washed, labeled and ready to ship - which is good since the mailing deadline for this month is in 2 days - better get them to the post office tomorrow. I also got some preemie hats and booties completed for the April TTT shipment. I got my new looms from Lynn and have been really enjoying them. I love to loom knit and for booties it is the only way for me. (I hate dpns). If you have not tried loom knitting - please do - if you once try it you will be hooked! It is such a simple way to get a warm knitted item - not to mention it is really fun. As the old ad used to say..Try it, you'll like it.....:)
Happy Knitting :)
*GB2G*