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Thursday, July 29, 2010

Condolences


Dear Coach Cowher,
I am so sorry for your loss, of which I just today heard. I read your statement on the Steelers' website. I've wanted to tell you how heartbroken I was when you retired from coaching the Steelers, and then how happy for you I became when I watched you making commentary on games -- it was so good to see you smiling! Now I understand that your retirement was for Kaye's sake, so she could have her family around her during her illness, and I admire you even more for such a gentlemanly decision. I'm sure this support from all her family made her struggle more bearable. My prayers go out on behalf of you & your family, that you might find some comfort.
"Lady Boss", aka Ann

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Hey, y'all! Watch this! (Part Deux!)



Lookee, lookee! Brand new hand-knit socks! And it only took me 2 years and 3 months to produce these! I am so ready now to cast on another pair. Let's just have one more look, shall we:

Monday, July 19, 2010

Gotta take some pictures!

I'm nearly to the toe shaping on the second Moc Croc Mark II! And I'm working the third column of mitered squares for Dolly Blankie #3. I went to Bliss Yarns on Friday the 16th, and picked up some more solid colors for this blankie. One thing I noticed there -- a whole basket of Noro sock yarn mill ends, most just a few grams. They sure were tempting! I can see me getting about 8 different colorways, and putting them away for my own mitered square throw. But not just yet; I really need to buy less & knit from stash as much as possible. One of the projects that needs some time: unraveling all those thrift store sweaters I bought for the yarn! I should show DiscoDame how to do that, she loves frogging. Right now, all those sweaters are just in a bag behind the dresser in the living room, waiting for attention. Some are cashmere, some merino, etc -- can't wait to see how much yarn I get out of 'em. I've actually worn one that I bought at a yard sale, labelled as lambswool, and a very nice navy cardigan. It was meant to be unravelled for the yarn, but got picked up & worn. Guess I can keep it as is!
***About a week later (7/26/10): I finished the second sock on Saturday; after remembering that the first one was just a little bit short for my foot I added another repeat of the pattern to the foot before starting the toe. Now, I've frogged the first one back to just before the toe, Russian-joined in some more yarn, and I'm almost ready to work the toe (again! 3rd time better be the charm!). I must take some pictures!! And decide what pattern to use for that red Cascade fingering yarn. I'm thinking I could get pretty crazy with texture, since it's a solid color. I'm going to post this without pics, and add another post when I've got something to show!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Wednesday wonder

While I was sick with bronchitis, I was supposed to see the dental hygienist & get new x-rays. I cancelled that appt., and called on the 13th to reschedule. The first available spot was 9:45 a.m. on the 14th! So I've already been, got a clean bill of oral health and some samples.
I'm still plugging away on the Moc Croc Mark II second sock, with 4" of the foot done --which means this cuff-down pair is very close to being done! I have been looking at sock yarns online, as if I actually had moola to spare for such luxury as new yarn. I will have to start another pair as soon as MCM-II is done, preferrably in a (mostly) green colorway. I'll go stash-diving this weekend, I'm pretty sure I can find what I need.
The mitered-square Dolly Blankie is coming along rather slowly; it's mostly TV knitting, and I just don't have much time for TV anymore. I've about decided it needs a backing, to help hide all those ends of cotton yarn. It'll have to be thin fleece, but whether a plain pastel, white, or a print? I haven't a clue. Maybe I'll carry the finished blankie to the fabric store.
I haven't started Sis' felted latte cozy yet. She specifically mentioned felted. The only way I can think to get it to fit would be to garter stitch a rectangle, felt the heck out of it, sew some toggle buttons at one end, and cut a few rows of "buttonholes" across the other end. In fact, I'll likely cut slits all the way 'round, make 'em look like a "design feature" -- and I could embroider around a few of them, too. Yeah, there's an idea. Wonder if the toggles would tear up the felt? Only one way to find out!