You gotta be kidding me....

When coming to the end of a long detailed post, my computer hiccuped and said post disappeared.   I am tired, frustrated and I have a headache.   I am going to bed and will try again tomorrow.  POOP!

To whom much is given....

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/01/13/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry6091894.shtml

I tried to find a photo of post-earthquake Haiti that was evocative but not too gritty. This was the best I could do. The situation in Haiti, right now, is pretty darn gritty. These people need our help and, despite what you may think, the vast majority of us are in a position to provide that help.

This past year was tough on so many of us. Lots of people lost their jobs and even more, like my hubby, took drastic pay cuts and felt lucky to do so (the alternative being so much worse). Still, if you are healthy, well fed, and not living in a box, you do have something to spare.

I am asking you to look at the situation in Haiti and express your gratitude, that you do not live there, by making a donation to one of the relief funds (check to see if you employer will match your contribution). Choose a reputable organization (the Red Cross is always a safe bet) and give what you can.

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/tsffaq.html

We made our contribution through MSF/Doctors Without Borders, a Nobel Peace Prize winning, relief organization, whose mission it is to help those in great need, regardless of race, religion, politics or gender. They already had a presence in Haiti.  So, despite their loses (lives & equipment), they were already on the ground and helping from the moment it was possible to do so.

You can find out more about them at the above link (TSF/Knitters Without Borders is a fundraising site for MSF/DWB) or you can go directly to www.doctorswithoutborders.org  to make a donation.

Remember, the ocean was filled on drop at a time. Together, we can make a difference (cliche but true).

(((HUGS)))

Dipped Infinity Scarf....

Have you ever knit a pattern that you enjoyed so much that you cast on for another immediately upon casting off the original? That is what I did with the Dipped Infinity Scarf.

http://www.cosmicpluto.com/blog/dipped-infinity-scarf/

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dipped-infinity-scarf

As you may recall, I knit the first one with varying shades of Koigu. As you can see, it came out really well. I did wish, however, that the color shifts were more dramatic and that it was a little longer. With that in mind, I cast on another using one strand of Cherry Tree Hill Supersock (Turquoise) and one stand of a vibrant Koigu KPPM (#P160A), using a US 9 needle (The first one was done on a US 8). I love, love, love this combination (check out the top photo). My original thought had been to keep the turquoise consistent through out changing changing only the Koigu every four rows, but I am rethinking that. I am seriously thinking of driving an hour south to get two more hanks of this Koigu and just knitting the whole thing in this combination. The only problem with this plan is that I recieved an email from the designer yesterday (via Ravelry) saying that the pattern, as I downloaded it, had an error in the yardage. So now, instead of having just enough Supersock to make another scarf, I have just a bit too little. I bought the Cherry Tree Hill locally but I am almost certain that I got the last one in that color. On yet another hand, I do live in FL and may not need quiet as wide a scarf as this is meant to be. Still thinking....

NOTE: My apologies for the formatting. Blogger seems to be having issues.

Started the year by finishing the knitting...

Check out my new socks! I actually finished three things on New Years Day but because my mind is a sieve, I can only remember two of them. Not only that, but I took pictures of all, and then left my camera at home without loading them onto my computer. I took the photo, above, sitting here at Panera's (What do you think non-knitters think when they see someone taking pictures of their own feet?). Anyway, this is what I remember.

• Colenette Jitterbug Socks - These are my first pair of socks using this yarn. I think I have finally found a sock yarn I like better than Koigu (not that I don't still love my Koigu). They knitted up like a dream, the colorways are very nice, and I love the way they feel on my feet. Knitted up, they are both soft and firm. I may need to buy more of this on my way home.

• Reader's Wrap - I started this project for a Sheila's Shawls way back when I worked at Michaels in NJ. Recently unearthed, I decided to finish it and send it out. Unfortunately, there is always a need.

• Sea Silk Scarf - Actually, I finished this on Christmas morning. Just in time to wear to my brother's holiday celebration (I still don't remember what the New Year's Day thing was. I just remember being proud of myself for finishing three things in one day). This is another forgotten project, recently come to light. The yarn (Handmaiden Sea Silk) was an absolute joy to work with. It has a definite unfinished feel to it but I liked that. After trying a few different needles, I found that it moved best on Lantern Moon straights and Knit Picks Harmonies. It was more than half way done when I re-discovered it. Since it was knit in a simple feather and fan, it was easy to pick up and go.

Recently cast-on, was the Dipped Infinity Scarf. I LOVE this pattern. It is easy to remember and looks really nice. It is meant to be knit with two fingering wt yarns held together, using different colors, with the yarn changes staggered, so that the colors run from dark to light. I am using five different colors of Koigu. I love the way it looks and will finish it but I wish I had gotten more disparate colors. So far, it hardly looks like I am changing colors at all (thank goodness the stitch pattern is so pretty). I am seriously considering sending this one to my sister and making another one for me.

Also cast-on after my finishing frenzy, was the Swirl Shawl (JoJoland). Rather than the called for yarn, I am using Colinette's Jitterbug. I find that, although, I have no trouble keeping track of this pattern at home, it really is not a good choice for social knitting. Consequently, it is coming along slowly. Still, I really love the look (even unblocked) and am looking forward to wearing it.

Thats' it for now. Stay warm.

(((HUGS)))

P.S. Finally added photos on 13Jan09. Still don't remember what the third New Years thing was :-(

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas...

Merry Christmas!

Breaking the fast...

Kathleen, Lisa, Angie

She Sells Yarn

222 South Beach St.

Daytona Beach, FL 32114

6 Hanks of Koigu KPPPM (assorted colors)

8 Hanks of Cascade Sierra Quattro (SummerDaze)

7 balls of Lion Brand Nature's Choice Organic Cotton (Dusty Blue)

Yea! I bought yarn today. After a year long yarn fast, Angie and I visited "She Sells Yarn" in Daytona Beach, FL, so that I could fall/jump off the wagon. The owner, Kathleen, was lovely. We had a wonderful time. I choose her shop because she has Koigu, so leaving with some was no surprise. I chose these colorways with the Dipped Infinity Scarf in mind. Although, I have knit with other Cascade yarns, I have not come across Sierra Quarto before. I loved the color and feel of it. This will likely become a Shawl That Jazz shawl. After the petting, drooling, choosing, paying, and picture taking, were done, Kathleen was kind enough to give some recommendations for lunch. We ended up a couple of doors down at a pub with great burgers and (according to tween) awesome fish and chips.

One the way home, we stopped at Joanne's to get thread. While there I grabbed some Nature's Choice Organic Cotton. Yes, I know that this is a bargain yarn, and I am a self professed yarn snob, but I like the stuff. I used it for Nancy's Xmas shawl and liked it enough to want one for myself (Hopefully she will let me take pictures of it when she gets back from Chicago).

That was my day, yarn, lunch, more yarn, home. I am a very happy camper.