Finally…

Hey, it’s Maria.

I’ll bet you thought I stayed in Mexico, huh? Actually (here we go again) I was buried in laundry. I think I did 15 loads yesterday. I even had sand in the washing machine!!!

So, I’ll bet you want to know how far I got on my 2.64 miles of yarn? Actually, I was an abysmal failure. Here’s the rundown.

My Mrs. Greenjeans. It has to be Mrs. because of the lace.

I started the first sleeve yesterday while kid 4 was at piano lessons. My tension is a little bit scary, because I knit most of the top Continental, and I’m a thrower. I decided I had 4 hours on an airplane, so I was going to learn to knit Continental. I did it and it is pretty fast. However, I decided after two days that knitting wasn’t fun any more. So, I’m back to throwing and guess what? I’m still getting things done.

Here’s a closeup of the lace. It’s not blocked yet so everything is rolling a bit.

So, there’s 2880 feet of yarn.

I also made a pair of fingerless gloves, using Fetching from Knitty. I used less than one skein of Misti Alpaca worsted. And yes, the ginormous diamond is fake. I’m a huge fan of QVC’s Diamonique jewelry.

So there’s another 300 feet.

I started a sock using the Cedar Creek Cabin pattern and Socks the Rock Hollyday.

That’s about 350 feet.

My Woolgirl sock club this month was yarn by Spunky Eclectic in Irish Dreams. I didn’t love the pattern so I started this sock (a whole inch!) using Sandra Park’s pattern called Charade.

Now there’s a mileage jumper. Maybe about 30 feet!

I also started my Baby Boomerang socks to match my first Mr Greenjeans. Actually, I started them twice and frogged both times. I’m having a hard time with the gauge. They’re ending up too small, and I didn’t have any sock books along to peruse. I love that word….peruse. So can I count that in my mileage? Nah!

After doing the math, I found out that I knit .67 miles of yarn. That’s still a lot. Oh, well. There’s always Christmas vacation!

Before I go, I have to show you 18 reasons why we celebrate Thanksgiving.

That’s a ton of kids. We spent 10 days together and there was virtually no fighting. (The parents behaved too!) The kids swam in the pool and in the ocean. They played in the sand. They read tons of books. They watched Gilmore Girls and Ratatouile when it rained. They played Uno. They ate Papa’s pancakes. But most of all, we made memories. We are so blessed. Thanks Mom and Dad for an awesome trip.

Hey Lexi, only two more weeks!!!

Welcome to Paradise!

Hey, it’s Maria.

It’s knitting heaven.  I don’t know if I mentioned it in my last blog post, but there are 28 of us hanging out in Mexico.  There are 10 adults and 18 kids.  I’m knitting my way through my 2.64 miles of yarn.  I haven’t gotten very far, but I’m knitting.  First of all, I’ve been working on another Mr. Greenjeans!

Again, I’m using Fiesta Boomerang, only this time I’m using the Clematis colorway.  Instead of the cables on the bottom half, I chose a lace pattern.  My model is my cute little 8 year old. Gorgeous flowers too, huh.  Since I’m from Minnesota, I’ll bet you figured out that this isn’t our back yard. 

The pattern is called Totem Pole and it’s from one of Barbara Walkers books.  I changed the pattern though.  Aren’t I helpful?  I actually did a swatch and after much math, decided I needed to increase 24 stitches.  It’s working out perfectly.  I still haven’t decided how to bind it off without it rolling.  Maybe a picot hem?  I’m open to suggestions.

I’ve also almost finished one sock.  It’s Socks that Rock in the Hollyday colorway.  The pattern is Cedar Creek Socks by Kaci Hays.  It’s available at Blue Moon Fiber Arts.  Sorry, no links today.  I don’t know how long my internet access will last.

The sock is modeled my my cute little 9 year old niece.  She now has her first modeling contract! 

I’m not loving the way this yarn stripes.  It started out with the green and red on one side and the pinkish red and yellow on the other side.  It looked like Merry Christmas fighting with Pink Lemonade.  I was using size one needles, so I switched to size 2 needles. At least I got it to stripe.   Pretty scientific of me, huh? 

I also completed one fingerless glove while sitting in the sun today.  It’s Fetching.  The pattern is from Knitty.com.  I’ll post photos soon. 

We’ve had some sun and a fair amount of rain.  One day this week we had 9 kids playing Uno in our (echoing cement) condo.  They had a blast.  I reminded myself that what I wanted to do on vacation was knit.  So knit I did.  I’m middle aged and getting a savage tan isn’t at the top of my priority list any more. 

Here’s wishing all you Americans a Happy Thanksgiving.  I know I have much to be thankful for.  For anyone in any other country, have a great Thursday.  We’re going out for Mexican food. 

Hey Lexi, are you ever going to wake up?

Contentment

Hey, it’s Maria.

Contentment is…

My beverage of choice.

Honey #1 and Honey #2.

A beautiful, warm quilt on my bed (which is almost never made).

Fluff.

Caribou Coffee Reindeer Blend.  (Thank, Mom!)

A sleeping angel.

Yarn, yarn, and more yarn.

And most of all…..

My God, who is always faithful.

We’re off on a family vacation. There are 28 of us. My parents, my sister and her husband, my two brothers and their wives, and 18 kids. Let the knitting begin. I’ve got 2.64 miles of yarn to turn into works of art.

Hey Lexi, should we pick you up at the airport?

My Reality

Hey, it’s Maria.

We’re going on vacation. I’m going to have 10 days to knit, sit in the sun, eat lots, and hang out with Honey and kids. I’m blindly believing that all of those things can be accomplished at the same time. Hey, it’s my reality!

I made an executive decision. My Damask Kauni is staying home. I’m so in the mood to work on it, but not when it’s that big and it’s 80 degrees. Besides, I’d never check it in my luggage, so that would mean dragging it through the airport. I also decided that Danish yarn would get way too hot in Mexico. I wouldn’t want it to sweat. I’m about 1 inch from the shoulders. I’d love to steek it before I leave, but we’re not staying on a nude beach. Therefore, I must pack clothes for six people.

This doesn’t look like so much yarn, does it?  My only problem right now is that I’m having issues with my wrists and one elbow.  Maybe I need to sleep at night instead of knitting.

Here’s what I’m taking along to knit. First of all, I have Socks that Rock in the Hollyday colorway. I think I’ll make the Cedar Creek Socks.

Next is Baby Boom from Fiesta. I’m making socks to go with my Mr. Greenjeans sweater. Isn’t that special? I think I’ll make the Whitby socks from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush. Both have cables so they’ll look good together, assuming I can get my ankle anywhere near my waist.

Then there’s more Fiesta Boomerang in the Clematis colorway. I’m making another Mr. Greenjeans (a size bigger, thank you very much). I’m going to make it into a Ms. Greenjeans by using a lace pattern, not determined as yet, for the bottom instead of the cables.

I also have a skein of Spunky Eclectic Super Nova Yarn in Irish Dream.  There are very unusual colors put together, but I like it.  It’s the November Woolgirl sock club offering. I’m unsure of the pattern. I haven’t decided if I like the one that came with the kit.  Are you seeing a hand dyed trend here?

I’m thinking I need to knit Fetching or Dashing. The yarn I’m considering is Misti Alpaca Worsted in Tangerine.

I must avoid Second Sock Syndrome! I completed one Lenore, the Rockin’ Sock Club kit for October. I really like this sock, so the second one should be a breeze. It’s one of the new Raven colorways from Blue Moon Fiber Arts.  The pattern was designed by the Yarnharlot.

Then there’s the Artyarns Silk Mohair in my favorite sherbet green. I’m planning to make Lace Dream by Eugen Beugler. It’s in the Shawls and Scarves book by The Best of Knitters.  Is this just so yummy?

And last but not least is the recently frogged Paton’s Must Have Cardi. I started it last year when there was more of me to knit for. Even at that, that sucker must have been 60 inches around. What was I thinking??? Anyway, I loved the stitch definition and the way it looked, so I’m starting over in a reasonable size. The yarn I’m using is Classic Elite Waterlily.

Ok, folks. I added up the yardage I’m taking along. That’s 2.64 miles of yarn. I think my reality check bounced somewhere along the line.

Hey, Lexi, what are you taking along to knit? And are you impressed with the overload of links?