Merry Damask Kauni Steek!

Hey, it’s Maria.

I did it!!! On Christmas day, I steeked the Damask Kauni. While I won’t say it was the highlight of Christmas, I’m certainly glad it’s done. I put that off long enough.

I decided on a crocheted steek, using directions found on Euny Jang’s old website. I’m not sure how it works, but it does. I’m not a crocheter, but I thought it was kind of fun. I did the center front first and then the arm holes.

Not bad for a first steek, huh?

And then I did the math and figured out the sleeves. I had to pick up stitches evenly and get the pattern in the right place. I’ve only done a couple of rows, but I think it’s going to work!

I need to get a smaller circ before I continue the sleeves.

On December 26, I pulled out my Mr. Greenjeans (or Mrs. Greenjeans, as I’m calling it.) It has one sleeve, with a second on the way.

The sleeve went really quickly. The only thing I don’t like is how it pooled at the elbow. So, today’s project is the other sleeve.

I’ll bet you want to know what I did last night. I partied with my mom and my non knitting sister. Woo Hoo!!! We went to Starbuck’s and knit with the Rockstar knitters. First there was rondaben. She was working on a sock. She made me a row counter bracelet and some awesome stitch markers. Thanks Ronda!!! I also met the knitting fairy. I could spend time with her! (Actually, I could spend time with all of them!) She was working on an entrelac project. Next to me was the ever crazy texaspurlgirl. She was working on a hat and the Central Park Hoodie. Tasha is working on the Sundara Kimono pattern. She’s going to sew the buttons on her sweater today. Go Tasha!!! Gina (blogless) was working on a very fun sock with Knitpicks yarn. Christina was totally enjoying knitting that baby blanket!!!! Sorry, Christina, I don’t have a link for your blog!!! It was a fun night. I found out that Texas knitters are about as crazy as Minnesota knitters.

I’m off to finish Mr Greenjeans.

Hey Lexi, are you ever knitting again?

It’s the Most Wonderful Time????

Hey, it’s Maria.

I must be cranky. My kids are cleaning things without (much) complaining. I asked the kids the other night who wanted to help wrap presents. My 12 year old son volunteered. After I recovered from the shock, I taught him how and he did a great job. I think wrapping presents might be at the top of the list of things I dislike doing. I love gift bags.

There hasn’t been much knitting going on. I have one FO. Can you tell what it is?

Here, I’ll use the flash. Maybe this will help.

It’s my Lenore’s from the Rockin Sock Club. This was the fifth installment and I have all five pairs done. I’m very surprised at myself. Disciplined is not on my list of attributes. I heard last weekend that the sixth sock-of-the-every-other-month was shipping, so I pounded out the last part of the second sock. I’m hoping to get the new sock kit today.

I’ve also worked a little bit on Twist.

This is a fun, easy knit. I’ve done the armhole decreases, so a few more inches and the back is done.

Here’s the question of the day. If your daughter takes her piano books out of the car and leaves them in the bathroom (and there’s no piano in the bathroom) did she practice piano last night? I’m guessing not.

My list for today:

1. Get groceries.

2. Make groceries into yummy stuff.

3. Pack mountains of laundry away.

4. Pack said clothes for Christmas trip.

5. Wrap a few more gifts.

6. Bring surprise gifts to family. (That will be fun!)

7. Pay a few bills

8. Clean up miscellaneous messes.

9. Make raw hamburger into something edible for dinner.

10. Make kid practice piano.

We leave tomorrow morning for Minneapolis to party with Honey’s family. I’m pretty sure I smell prime rib already! On Sunday, we’ll hit the road again to go to Texas and spend Christmas with my family.

I’ve also heard a rumor about meeting up with some Rockstar Knitters after Christmas. That should be hugely entertaining, because I’ve heard some stories about these women. I’ll be sure to report back! I’m also going to work on my Damask Kauni. I don’t think I’ll ever finish it because it’s famous, and I don’t want to screw it up!!!

So, tomorrow when we hit the road, I’m going to sit back and enjoy time with Honey (he almost never gets on my nerves) and my kids (who sometimes get on my nerves) and my in-laws (hi Nana! I love you!). You didn’t think I’d say they get on my nerves, did you? I’m not that stupid! I’m planning to enjoy time spent with parents, siblings, and nephews and nieces. Some of them I don’t get to see very often so it’s a chance to reconnect. I plan to eat a lot. I’m going to sleep hard and fast. I’m going to drive a motorhome at least part of 900 miles! And most of all, I’m going to rejoice, because a baby was born more than 2,000 years ago. That baby provides eternal life to anyone who asks. Now that’s worth celebrating!

So, Merry Christmas and I’ll catch up with you in Texas!

Red and Green

Hey, it’s Maria.

Added at 8:49 PM.  Check out the socks my son wore to school today!  And he didn’t even know about the blog post!!!

Welcome to my red and green tour.

I had to try a couple of little Christmas socks. I started with this pattern. (Scroll down!) She knit them flat and then seamed them. Seaming is for good knitters. I Magic Looped them. I used Jamieson Shetland DK and size 3 needles. They would be even cuter with sock yarn and size 1 needles. Each one took about 2 hours. I think I got that out of my system now, although little mittens would be cute too.

If you read quilting blogs, you’ll see What’s on Your Bed? Well, I have a quilt made with Maison de Noel fabric by Moda. I love this quilt. It survived a round of stomach flu (literally all over it) right after I finished it last year. I love the way quilts look when they’ve been washed. The reds didn’t run either. You know, I think I posted a photo of this a couple of weeks ago, but I’m too lazy to look. If I did, have another look!

My grandma had a stool like this when I was little, so when this showed up at Target a couple of years ago, I snatched it up. Do you like my Christmas shoes? I have another pair just like it, only mirror image. For my blond daughter: One pair is red and one pair is green in real life!!! I have been threatening to wear them like this over the holidays.

Teacher gifts!

A new outdoor flag. We have some snow, but would I love a good storm. I know, all of you in the Northeast are ready to shoot me for that comment. We all want what we can’t have!

A new quilt for my chair. I pieced and quilted this before Christmas last year. If you look at the bottom, you’ll see that I haven’t finished stitching the binding yet.

And last but not least, the puppy sleeping on her Christmas bed. It has Santa embroidered on one side of it. NO!!! I did not make it. Target. $9.99.

We celebrated Christmas yesterday with the seven of us. It was a good day. We always have fondue, and our recipes are expanding. I ordered another fondue pot yesterday, too late for this year, but I’m ready for next Christmas. Our gift giving was much lighter this year. Instead of tons of gifts the kids each got clothes and one other item. Instead of more gifts, we’ve adopted a family with 3 children. The fourth baby is on the way. We bought toys for the kids, clothes for all of them, and we’re going to do a big grocery run before we bring it all over there. They’re going to be totally suprised. We see them at church all the time. They don’t even know us! The kids are really excited about our new project. Nobody even complained about “just two presents”. Maybe our kids are going to turn into decent human beings yet!!!

Well, I’m off to do some baking. I need fat grams, you know!

Hey Lexi, what did you get for Christmas?

What’s In That Bag?

It’s the new reality show for knitters!!!

Hey, it’s Maria.

We’re going to play a new game today. All of my many WIP’s are lined up on one edge of my bedroom. I chose three bags. You get to see what’s in them.

First, there’s my favorite Christmas bag, purchased on eBay several years ago.

Inside is a project I started this weekend after I sorted and counted and listed my high-priority WIPs. Ok, I’m crazy. I read this blog post and ordered the pattern and the bodacious body. The pattern came as a download. I haven’t gotten the body yet. Here’s my version (of the sweater, not the body!).

I’m using Mountain Colors Mountain Goat in the Ruby River colorway. This yarn is wonderful. It’s 55%mohair and 45% wool. It is so soft!

On to the next bag.

No, it’s not a Brighton purse. It’s Mondrian-Style Blanket by Di Gilpin. It’s in the Scottish Island Knits book.

Rather than spending an absolute fortune on Rowan yarn, I opted to use Cascade 220. Some are solids and others are heathers. Here’s a closer look.

I haven’t touched this in ages, but it’s fairly brainless knitting. It might be a good project for working on during homework time. It keeps me from screaming when a spelling word is misspelled for the 9th time. I’m not home school teacher material. Can ya tell?

On to the third bag!

I threw all of my socks in this bag. That way, when I need to grab something to take with me, they’re all in one place. I put them in ziplocs and photocopy the patterns, so I can grab and go!

There’s a Monkey in there. It’s Socks That Rock Thistle.

I found a Jaywalker.

I found a Cookie A. Thelonius.

I found an Ampersand.

I found an unidentified sparkly sock. The first sock is done!

I found some orange socks that I’m doing two at a time.

I need to finish my Lenore.

I found a Waving Lace Sock.

The yarn is Fleece Artist, color Ruby Slippers.

Sorry! I’m not linking all those patterns. Google is your friend!

In other news, the mamogram was fine. The dog was spayed. The kid in the principal’s office is still alive. The yarn mess is cleaned up. Another mess was made and there are lots of ebay listings. Christmas gifts were purchased. Laundry was done. A Christmas concert was attended. Hugs and kisses were given. There was maybe some yelling too. Birthday cake (otherwise known as Whipped Lard) was consumed. Oh, and my Kauni has 205 favorites on Ravelry. Life is good!

Hey Lexi, see ya tomorrow!!!