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A thousand words.
Mom: "You spoil me rotten."
Me: "Well, I do try. I kinda like you, you know."
Mom: "If you keep this up, you will never get rid of me."
Me: "Thats the point. I plan on stealing you when you retire in a few years!"
Mom: "Really?"
Me: "Really, really Mom. On this matter there is not doubt."
Yes, we are having too much fun together, despite the sickies who are back to work and school. Today we are headed to Heathcote Botanical Gardens.
I knew something was very wrong when early Saturday morning TBC announced that he was not going to the Gun Show later that day. When I asked why, he said his ear ached and his throat was sore.
A few hours later when RB awoke he was congested and he too had a sore throat. Out came the Vitamin C, DayQuil and buckets of Chicken Noodle soup. RB is home from school today as we battle this. However TBC has gone to work and is planning tough it out.
Needless to say our weekend did not go the way I anticipated, though Mom and I took walks on the beach which was very enjoyable to the both of us.
Today I shall spend the day conquering Mt. Laundry and nursing our son back to health.
Am I having fun yet? I think not.
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My Mother declined another pair of hand knit socks. I almost fainted with shock and disappointment. She tells me that she can only wear them with clogs and the winters are just not that cold in Virginia. I suggested that I could easily knit something else for her but she passed on all of my suggestions. Oy!
Forced to channel my knitting mojo into another direction, I proceed to knit swatches this weekend with some yarn that I recently purchased at JoAnns.
When I was there I found 11 balls of Stellina in cherry red, for the deeply discounted priced of $1. 90 a ball. The moment I spied it I knew I had found the yarn for the shrug I've been itching to knit. I bought the whole lot.
The shrug will be knit in Garter stitch with a scalloped crochet edging. Though I do have something extra special planned for the seams.
A phone conversation between a mother and daughter.
Me: "Hi Mom. How are you?"
Mom: "I'm fine."
Me: "Good. Guess what?"
Mom: "I don't know. What?"
Me: Drum Roll please.
"Congratulations Mom!
You have won an all expense paid vacation to Sunny South Florida, compliments of your daughter!
You will be residing in a condo on a private beach with spectacular views.
This prize also includes 3 complimentary meals each day, lovingly prepared by your own personal chef.
Laundry and maid service are available free of charge.
And you will have a personal chauffeur available to take you wherever you wish.
Mom: "Really?!!!!"
Me: "Really, really Mom. We can spend the entire week together. Oh, the fun we will have. Now all you need to do to claim your mini vacation is let me know when you can come. Are you ready to claim your prize?"
Mom: "Oh yes, I am! This is so wonderful, I can hardly think. Let me check my calendar and see what works. How about Oct 26th - Nov. 3rd? Will that work for you?"
Me: "Yes, it does. Your tickets will be in your email later today. I can't wait to see you."
Mom: "Me too!'
I have been counting down the days with much anticipation! The house is clean and the fridge is stocked with all of her favorite treats. There is only one thing left to do. RB and I must drive to the West Palm Beach airport to pick her up today. She arrives at noon.
Now I must make a most shameful confession. I have been a truly wicked daughter and haven't knit her a pair of socks since our last visit.
I plan on redeeming myself this week. A yummy hank of Cardinal Red yarn is ready and awaiting the transformation. Tonight my mother will peruse my extensive pattern collection and pick one so I may free myself from guilt.
When I was presented with the Sock Wars pattern I was intrigued with the Bar Stitch and discovered that it really does compliment variegated yarns rather well.
In fact I enjoyed knitting the stitch so much that I tinkered with the original pattern a wee bit and developed a stockinette version. Smashing isn't it? 
I reduced the total amount of stitches to 48 and knit them toe up. I finished them with a Tubular Bind-off, which is well worth the effort.
Lorna's Laces worsted weight wool made for a soft and cozy pair of bed socks, just for me. They almost make me wish I lived in Canada....almost.
P.S. Yahoo mail ate all of my lovely comments yesterday and I am sorry that I will not be able to reply to them. Forgive me?
This weekend our Saturday morning sky was filled with huge thunderous dark gray clouds just bursting with rain. And it did almost all weekend, much to my delight. I adore rain.
Of course we changed our plans to play on the beach and spent the weekend inside, building Robots, playing board games and watching movies. My men choose to view the newly released Transformers movie, which really did not interest me in the least so out came the knitting needles Saturday evening.
I had almost an entire skein of yarn leftover from my brief "Tour of Duty" in the trenches of Sockwars and thought that a nice pair of bed socks would welcome treat. I modified the original pattern to suit my own tastes and came up with a nifty design that compliments the variegated yarn beautifully. The pair is almost done and I plan to top it with a 1x1 rib and finish it with my favorite tubular bind off.
I think I'm in love.
Pssst - Great Balls of Yarn is having a 20% off yarn sale through the end of the month. Go quicky and get some Koigu before I buy it all.
I met Donna at Knit Night about a month ago. As she watched me knit that night she was very curious about Continental knitting and requested that I teach her how to do it. Of course I happily agreed and the lessons began and our friendship was born.
Though she is a novice knitter she caught on quickly and within a few weeks she produced her first Garter Stitch dishcloth! I am so proud of her! She is positively delighted with her accomplishment and so she should be.
Next we moved onto the purl stitch, which proved a bit more difficult but she pressed on with dogged determination and again was met with good success. Now she has a reverse garter stitch dishcloth to add to her collection.
Up to this point Donna has been knitting without a pattern but it is time to expand her horizons and teach her the basics of pattern reading and row counting. With that in mind I wrote a simple pattern for her to knit. Yesterday, at Knit Night I presented her with a ball of cotton, a row counter, my pattern and of course the dishcloth, which she received with great delight! I do enjoy blessing others with my simple talents.
Anyway that should keep her inspired and busy for the next week or two. I am looking foward to seeing hers and promise to post a picture when she has it done.
Sweetheart, your demise is imminent.
They are in the mail and I do hope you enjoy them:D
Lorna's Laces - Tuscany
Sock Pattern: Scar
Knit in 2 days.
Go away, I'm busy. Sockwars has officially started Friday evening and I've been knitting like the wind.
Lisa prepare to meet your doom.
Edit: As of 2:26 p.m. east coast time the first sock is done!
14!!! That's right 14 dishcloths can be knit from a pound of cotton and maybe a Tribble or two if I ever get around to it.
I was very careful with my wrists and only knit a few rows before putting it down for a while. That method worked well. My hands are in top form and ready for Sock Wars.
Pattern modifications:
I cast on 17 stitches instead of the 19 called for in the original pattern. Thus making the finished cloth smaller for my hands.
US Size 5 DPN's for a nice firm cloth.
Peaches and Creme ~ Denim.
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As you can see I redesigned my blog page yet again. I am pleased with the results and I think it is more reflective of the real me. Besides it matches my new lap top!
What do you think?
