Hi There!  Fancy seeing you here.  Fancy seeing me here, actually.  "Play any Mafia Wars on Facebook lately, Dani?"   um.... er.....

anyway - LOOK - a finished fancy glove!

That's my friend, Amy's hand.  Thanks Amy!  As you can see, I totally did away with the leaf pattern going on, on the side, and opted for the plume/feathers pattern to continue up the middle to the fingers.  What do you think?  It's not blocked yet.

and I still need to write the pattern down and make the other one.  Shall we call it "Plumes"?  Or, what???

And, while we were talking about orangutans...  (lol - stay with me people).  Here's another shot from the zoo.

 
She was laying upside down with her face right at the glass.  We had a little conversation, her and I.
 
 

I know... I know... It's been forever.  I have been doing stuff, though, other than playing Facebook games.  Okay - not a lot... but some!

I've started designing a pair of "fancy" gloves.  I think the pattern looks somewhat like plumes or feathers.  What do you think?

Once I started the thumb increases, though, I didn't have enough stitches to continue the plumes, so I'm using another lace pattern for the rest of those stitches.  I'm not sure I like it, and I'm also not sure if the fingers should be plain, or what!?!?!  This is definitely a work in progress that will probably change drastically.  Any and all comments are definitely appreciated!

I was helping Paul yesterday with the deer stand he's building for my father.

And yes, before you ask, I did manage to fall down at least once and my upper back is in turmoil today.  And I'm glad nobody was present to see me grunting like a pig trying to climb into the back of the truck!  LOL - I really must get outside more.  This deer stand is BIG!  My father will probably be able to sleep out here too.  It has a nice view:

of the back field.  It was a wonderful day outside yesterday.  69 and sunny.  The chickens were even agreeable to their picture being taken.

And, remember those baby turkeys we bought?

Is it just me, or are you too thinking ahead to Thanksgiving?  :)
 
 
 
 
 

Well...

Other than having the totally coolest scores on various Facebook games, I haven't done much else.  I really need to get myself on some type of schedule.  Are you obsessed with Facebook games? What do you do to get other stuff done, and, seriously, how do you get your house cleaned?  Inquiring minds want to know!!!

I finally finished the Tequila Sunrise socks, but only because of certain circumstances.

Those certain circumstance being that Paul was cutting wood and a piece of wood flew into his eye.  That was worth about 5 hours in the eye doctor's office, and a finished sock.  Can you say Safety Glasses?  Seriously, this is NOT the first time.

I also am almost ready to start on the body of Becky's February Lady Sweater:

I'm using Knit Picks Comfy in the Pomegranate.  It's actually a little darker than this.

And - sticking with the plain stockinette sock theme (I have no extra marbles to spare), I'll be starting another pair of socks using Knit Picks Imagination in Pixie Dust.

 

I'm curious to see how this alpaca blend holds up.  When it first came out you were able to wash it in the washing machine, but Knit Picks has since changed it to hand-wash.  Have you knit any socks using this yarn?  If so, how are they holding up for you??

I have another zoo picture to share.  This was awesome.  An aviary that was full of Lorikeets.

 

So colorful!  Plus, they kept meowing like cats!!  LOL.
 
 

I finished writing up the pattern for Violets for Ida, and am selling it through Ravelry and PayPal for $5.  You can click on the "Buy it Now" tab in my sidebar and it will take you directly to PayPal where you can purchase it.  Actually, I am surprised at how easy it was to set this up in the sidebar.  It was a little frightening, even! Anyway, this pattern includes the fingerless mitts and the gloves.  I must admit that every time I get another little "favorite" heart on it (on Ravelry), it makes my heart jump a little!  Thanks for all of your support!

I'm not sure what's next on the designing list, as I am up to my eyelids in WIPs right now.  I'm thinking maybe a Christmas-time mitten, or cowl?  I'm not sure that I am done with the colorwork yet.....

Must Have!  Have you ever read the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon?  If you haven't, you may want to consider giving it a try.  I've linked you to her site so you can see what the series is all about.  One of the main characters, Claire (or Sassenach), is my heroine.  She is a physician that gets sucked back in time and hooks up with Jamie (Paul's hero), a Scottish Highlander no less.  There are travels back and forth over time, and the storyline is at times romantic, fierce and laugh out loud hilarious!  I'm shouting out for this series because I am so excited that the next book (Echo in the Bone) was just released, AND is on its way to me right now! Woot!  Plus, I get to read it before Paul this time.  HA!

Speaking of WIPs, I'm still working on the Tequila Sunrise socks, but have them almost finished:

(believe me - there were much crappier photos than this one)

Daniel's holey blankie is also coming along....

It would go faster if I didn't have to force myself with the crochet needle.  I used to LOVE crochet.  What happened?

I've also been spinning up a lot of my fleeces, but still have tons of wool to get through.  We have 17 sheep now, and it's getting a little crazy, even for me!

Hmmmm.....  this picture is really bad too.  Maybe there was a tornado coming??  ;) he he

I also just took the needles out of Hey Teach (yes I know, all I need to do is the button band), and started a new February Lady Sweater for my friend Becky.  I know - it's craziness.  But, then again, Becky is only a 38 inch chest!  Heck, I can finish that in a day, right?? ;)

To make up for my crappy picture taking (I was extremely tired last night, yada yada yada), I will dazzle you with a picture from the zoo of these beautiful flamingos!

And another...

Doesn't this make you want to run out and buy yarn in this color???  Me too.

This is my nephew, Daniel:

with his blue blankie that he loves.  Turns out Ava (his mom) decided to do a little bit of fixing on it and now it's unraveling at an alarming rate.  Her plan of action was to call me immediately and request that I start a new blankie for Danny.  First things first, though.  This particular blankie was not made by me.  H.e.l.l.o.  Could you not get your child to fall in love with a blankie that Auntie Daniele made?  You have a gazilion of them!  Of course, there is an explanation for this.  Danny loves to put his fingers through the holes at night.  Any blanket crocheted by Auntie Daniele is going to have hardly any holes.  We must remember that Auntie Daniele is a very tight crocheter, hence... no holes.  I think I can handle it, though.  I'm trying to copy the pattern (from the picture) and using a big hook.  What do you think?

 I see some holes!!  Hold on little buddy, I'm hurrying!!!

Also, on the knitting front, I've started a pair of plain jane cuff down socks with this awesome striped sock yarn from Red Heart & Sole, called Tequila Sunrise:

I think the toe-up lace mojo I've had for Wendy's KAL has gone away this month.  I'm sure it will return next month!

OH - and almost done with the gloves and mitts pattern.  If I could get off Farmtown on Facebook (I've renamed my farm "Dani's Time Suck Farm"), I would probably have it done.  ugh.....

Dear Blog:  I am so sorry that I didn't post last week.  You see..... I took some time off with Paul and we may have went a few places.  I did switch to high-speed DSL at home hoping that I would be able to get a quick post in during the week, but, alas, since I have absolutely no RAM left to speak of on my dinosaur of a computer that isn't being used, it didn't happen.  You will be happy to know, however, that I've ordered some new RAM to administer and I might be able to use the computer yet!!  Cross your fingers....

Time with Paul.... hmmmm....  Let me just say that Paul is not the kind of person who will sit on the couch eating bon-bons while on vacation.  I on the other hand, can totally do that.  For two weeks straight even!  This is probably the reason why I take only one vacation a year with Paul, and the others I take on my own.  Oh - that and Paul doesn't have as much time off as me.  Loser....  ;) he he

I won't do a play by play of our week.  Just some highlights, like the fact that I can hardly walk right now.  Seriously.  My legs are killing me from walking so much last week.  Also, I think I lost five pounds!  HA!  I'm sure that won't last long.  ;)

Last Saturday (the 5th) was "Swapper's Day" in my neck of the woods.  It's a three day HUGE flea market and garage sale bonanza that takes place every Labor Day Weekend.  Do you remember last year when I bought that chair for my spinning wheel?  Well, this year's find was not bad either.  Behold my new knitting needles:

 

Note that the smallest pair on the left is a Boye size 19!  I have no clue what the size on the right is, except for I'm pretty sure there are no gauges around that I can use to find out.  These three pairs cost me a whopping $1.50 alltogether.  I may never use them, but I had to have them.  You know you would buy them too.  Plus, in a pinch I am pretty sure I can defend myself:

 

Especially if there are any vampires around.  Right?

We also took a trip to the Columbus Zoo.  I have some really awesome pictures that I'll show you over time.  Like this one of the baby elephant in residence, and his mama!

 

They let them out during the day from 10-2 and keep the dad and uncle inside.  I'm not sure but maybe they are afraid the boys will get too rough with the baby?

 

Oh!  Knitting content.  I finished the Violets for Ida gloves, and I also finished the fingerless mitts with the pattern the opposite way.  What do you think?

 

 

I'm working on the patterns and hope to have them available soon!  That is.... as soon as I figure out how to do a color chart!  LOL!  

So....  I'm finally back to Hey Teach and moving right along on it, knitting the two sleeves in one evening.  (of course, they are totally little cap sleeves, but still an accomplishment) Back to the directions.  Next:  Block all pieces to measurements.  Ahem.....  Can I just say that is SO not happening??  Don't mock me.  I will take whatever the knitting fairies (yes, the fairies can be evil too) dish out by eliminating this step.  Next:  Oh!  We're going to sew the shoulder seams and pick up all of the neck stitches to do the neck edging.  Whoa.... wait.  What is this?  Knit held stitches?  I have no freakin held stitches.  It didn't say anything about holding stitches when I was knitting the back and two fronts.  Oh.... it most certainly did.  I would like to know how I could knit three complete pieces and every single time miss where it tells me to hold the stitches!  There must have been something really good on tv, that's all I can say.  ;)

Hmmmm..... for my translation of the pattern at this time I would like to say held means "pick-up and knit."  Actually, this didn't come out bad at all.  What do you think of the neck edging?

 

It'll work.  Now for those pesky button bands.

Onward.....  Guess what I've been working on?  A new glove colorwork pattern!  Actually, it was going to be a new sock colorwork pattern, but when the cuff ended up being too small, I improvised.  Let's face it.  There was no way I was knitting that cuff again (although the joke is on me since I will be knitting another one for the pair of gloves), so I made sure it fit on my hand and decided to do gloves instead.  I'm going to call these "Violets for Ida" after my good friend Ida.

 

Actually, I'm not as pleased with this motif of violets as I should be.  I'm going to do some fingerless mitts next and switch the pattern around somewhat.  Then there's the whole which way should the damn violets be facing controversy?  These are made so that people will see them right-side up if your hands are down and at your sides.  But I've seen tons where the pattern is right-side up to the cuff.  Which way to you prefer?  I would love to know.

 

I'll leave you with a picture of Miss Sophie who just did not want to wake up this morning.  Smart kitty, eh?

Whew!  Where did the week go???  All of the sudden, it's Friday and I haven't blogged all week.... ooops.

I have been knitting, though.  I finished the Diamond Gansey Socks I've been knitting from Wendy's "Socks from the Toe-Up" book for the Wendy KAL.  Of course, you had no idea I was knitting them since I never posted that I started them.  I'll give you the ruler and you can smack my hand.  K?  ;)

 

I used Knit Picks Essential (I think it's called Stroll now) in the Glacial colorway.  This color (Glacial) is now discontinued.  I snapped up these skeins for $2.49 each right before they discontinued it.  A steal!  I bet I got the last two.  Don't you want to be me??  ha ha ha ha - NOT.  :)  The light fingering weight shows off the diamond stitch definition pretty good, don't you think?  Oh, and the obligatory sheep ruler picture (sheepie doesn't want to be left out):

 

I also finished the Button Up Neck Warmer I was doing for Zarzuela's Fibers Spin-A-Long.  I ended up picking the red buttons.  Thanks so much for everyone who commented on button choices!  It was a toss up between the blue and red.

 

Like??  And - guess what!!  I had enough of the Malina left to make wrist warmers!

 

Yeah - I KNOW you want to be me now.  ha ha ha.  I have just a tiny little skein left.  I think I'll send that along to Spin-Off with these pictures and the other requirements they ask for.  Who knows, maybe I'll end up in the next issue (or my neck anyway).  :P

 

Lastly....  remember the baby chicks and turkeys?  Well, the hens are finally starting to lay eggs!

 

They usually start out laying tiny eggs, but they get bigger as the hens get used to laying.  You can see from the bottom right egg they are finally getting the hang of it!  ;)  Omelets anyone??  YUM.  Happy Weekend all!

Finishitis is hitting me hard! The Collared Tee is DONE.  I decided to use a crochet hook to do the hems of the collar and sleeves.  The reverse stockinette needed to be folded in half and hemmed to the wrong side.  I started thinking of all the slip stitches I was going to have to do, and my logical next step was to turn to the crochet hook!

 

I have used this slip-stitch maneuver before when putting together granny square afghans.  Just go through the loops on both sides of the hem, and then do one pull through the loop always on the needle.

 

Nice and neat, huh?? 

 

Voila! and.....  front side:

 

Also - I'm wearing it today!!  And it fits - which is fantastic since I never really do the gauge thing... bad Dani.

 

I had to wear a halter underneath, though, since I was not blessed with "girls" to match my girth....

 

We can't have everything!!

I'll end this post with a plea for your help.  Please help me decide which buttons to put on my Neck Warmer.

 

I am totally undecided!   These are buttons from my big canister that I've collected over the years.  I don't usually buy new ones when I can use these.   A lot of them are antiques.  Please leave a comment and tell me which ones you think look the best.  Thanks!

I finished the Seaweed Socks!

 

I love this pattern because it looks like it is cabled, but it's not!  Wendy sure does come up with some great patterns.

 

Also, if you can believe it, I've been working on the Collared Tee.  I would so like to finish it and Hey Teach before starting another big project.  Oh - and there's Swallowtail too.  I can't forget about that purpley goodness.....   It may take me months, but I do go back to my forgotten WIPs, most of the time. 

With the Collared Tee, the sleeves and collar part are reverse stockinette stitch.  I must admit I was not all excited about purling in the round.  Then, the light bulb went off in my head (this does happen occasionally) and I figured why couldn't I just turn the thing inside out and do stockinette instead? Duh!!  

 

The purling looks a lot nicer on the right side, too.  These sleeves and the collar are going to be turned down on the wrong side and hemmed in (or something like that....)  No use reading the directions ahead of time, right?  he he he  Where would the fun be in that??