Don't tell my husband!

Just wanted to share this photo with you.
Well, I can dream, can't I? Ok, everyone back to your knitting!

Coffee Icon

Yes, that's me...with the silly look on my face, standing next to Howard Schultz, Starbucks genius. Nothing to do with knitting, excepting that Starbucks is a fantastic place to knit. I got invited to this special event that took place last night at the Starbucks in Lakewood, WA. About 50 people were invited...guess that explains where all my "extra" money goes....between Starbucks and yarn, my savings account doesn't have a chance! Love me my latté.

Anyway two of my daughters, both Starbucks Partners, as employees of The Mermaid are called, are jealous beyond belief. Their Mom got to meet Mr. Schultz in person before they did. Love it when we can make our kids realize that we really might be cool after all. Maybe I should have the picture framed or something.


This, of course, is the lovely and famous Noro Striped Scarf. Brooklyn Tweed, the Yarn Harlot and millions of other knitters, all knitting it and finding it irresistable. I am using both Noro Silk Garden and Noro Kureon. I like the way it is turning out. And they are right. It is addictive. I do have other projects, but can't seem to put this one down long enough to do anything with them. Mine is 33 stitches on size 7 needles, slip the first stitch of every row. Alternate the Garden and the Kureon every two rows. Simple.

How many pairs does this make?

I have a favorite pattern for fingerless gloves. The Cableback Gloves by Karen Alfke. I bought it from the Churchmouse Yarn and Tea shop over on Bainbridge Island, WA about 2 winters ago. It is a simple pattern and I have made so very many pairs of these as gifts. Two different sizes are offered, three different cable designs. They are plain stocking stitch on the palm, and just a thumbhole. Ribbing on the top of the hand and a lovely cable down the center. Then attached I-cord on the top and bottom edges. My copy of the pattern had gotten so beaten up from carrying it in my knitting bag for two years, so I purchased a PDF pattern online this week. Offered on Patternfish (Linked above), it is a really nice way to buy patterns. Not only do you receive wonderful patterns, but they will email you with any errata from the pattern if it comes up. A very nice feature.

Oh! And to answer the title question? About 11 pairs so far that I can remember. Maybe more.

The Call of the Siren

This is the French Press cozy I gave to Corinne for Christmas. I found the pattern in Knitalong. I have a thermal french press, or I would make one for myself. It is knit from yarn I bought at Ben Franklin that is called Katyil. 20sts=4 in. and in a colorway called Pansy Leaves. 70% wool and 30% soy. Very nice to work with, although a bit "splitty". There is attached I-cord all around the rectangle that is the "cozy" part, and then you lace a separate I-cord through the eyelets like shoelaces and tie it at the top. Easy! I think the pattern would look cute with some pretty cables, too. Or in a chunky yarn.

In the background of this next photo, you can get a glimpse of the wonderful Christmas present that everyone got me this year.

See that? I can be my own barista now.

That is Sirena. Just the most wonderful espresso machine. And believe me, the most appreciated. See, two of my daughters work for Starbucks. I am therefore the grateful recipient of many wonderous pounds of rich, dark coffee beans. Until now, I have been happy and content brewing them in my french press every morning. A glorious way to experience coffee and begin the day. I highly recommend it. However, for the past two years I have had my eye on Sirena. She is obviously named after the Starbucks Siren (mermaid) and has been living up to her name, calling out to me everytime she goes on sale at the store. Finally this Christmas the deal was too good to resist. With the added free coffee and they actually threw in a great burr coffee grinder, and my daughters Christmas discount and lovely Christmas money from my Mom-in-law, the daughters, my tips from work, etc...yes, it finally happened. She is mine, all mine. We can make wonderful lattés, mochas, americanos, and on and on. Pulling shots from my own machine.
Ok, enough bragging. Hope your holidays were happy.

Christmas Troubles

Anyone else have this problem?

Merry Christmas!!

Finished the Maelstrom

Well, here are the Maelstrom, a wonderful pattern by Cookie A. I got it from the Twist Collective, first edition, and enjoyed the knitting. I am disappointed in the finished socks, for obvious reasons. Look at the colors pool. Also, (this is my own fault), I should have used a solid or a semi-solid color to knit this very beautiful pattern. It is totally obscured by the yarns color changes. This is Socks that Rock in "Quiet Riot" and let's just say that it is not so very "Quiet", shall we? *grin* Fortunately for me, these socks will still keep my feet warm and comfortable. Lesson learned.

My knitting right now is consisting of various small Christmas things, and of course I am still working slowly on the MS4. Don't know when I will be finishing that. I am only just a bit more than 1/2 way done. Another project that I'm not very happy with the yarn. Hmmmm.

No real yarn shopping lately. For one thing, Danny is in AZ and it is more fun to go to yarn shops when I can drag him with me. (Don't ask me why, this is very puzzling. He is the Mugglest of Muggles when it comes to knitting) But also, there is the money aspect. I am trying to be good and use up stash. I hate to use it up, though. What if all the sheep in the world suddenly go bald? I am depending upon my stash to see me through just that type of crisis!!! One has to be prepared.

One more post with The Shawl

I had to add these pics to our little collection. Lizzie and Josh took some great shots of the shawl (and Lizzie) on their honeymoon.

Ok, it's out of my system now. Aren't you relieved? Lately it's been hard to get on the computer. We moved. We ALL moved! Lizzie, of course, moved out when she got married in June, Corinne moved in with a couple of roommates, Danny moved to Arizona to begin his new job (I will go down there later on after he is established for a while) and Danielle and I moved into an apartment here. What a lot of work it was and so emotional. Talk about empty nest! We ALL flew the coop!

But Danny emails and calls every day to tell us about what he is doing there, and the kids come see me regularly. I am working a lot...we're fine, just lonesome for each other!

Knitting: I am working on a pair of socks from the Twist Collective, the first issue, called Maelstrom. Love them so far, but I don't love the yarn. It's my second pair with Socks that Rock and I didn't like the other ones either. So, I guess I'm an odd duck, not liking the yarn that everyone on the planet is in love with!

Maybe I'm doing it wrong. I think I need to alternate rows and balls of yarn to keep from pooling. But I am too lazy lately. Oh, well. Not to worry. I will still wear them.

That's enough for now. See what I mean? No time!

Happy knitting!