January Project

Hi everyone.
I have determined that my January project for "Crocodile on the Sandbank" will be my Project Compassion squares.
The book starts out with Amelia saving Evelyn. This shows a compassionate streak and the need to help others.
I believe that we, as knitters and human beings, have a desire to reach out and help others.
uuggghh, the link is not working...www.projectcompassion.blogspot.com, if you would like to help out. Thanks.

Silly Sunday Whoduknit Contest

How many stitches are on this needle? e-mail me (grammieknits@yahoo.com) with the correct answer and win a stitch counter and a felted mini-purse to keep it in (silly prize for a silly contest!)
In case of a tie the winner will be picked in a random drawing. Contest ends on Sunday, February 4.

Re: A Tomb of One's Own

Well, old blogger says I'm no longer a member of this team because I switched over to new blogger so I can't comment, but I can post. I know a lot of you are having the same problems, so until we can switch this blog over I guess we'll just have to post instead of commenting.
This is way cool Stephanie! And it certainly qualifies as your project for Crocodile on the Sandbank.
And this gives me another idea about how to get more members to submit projects and vote. The description on this blog says 'create a project', not specifically 'knit' a project - We are all multi-talented - right? So let's let our imaginations be our only limit - and create!
Thanks you Stephanie - you have inspired me!

A Tomb of One's Own

I know it's not knitted, but how many of us have our own handmade Egyptian tomb? When the DD was in 4th grade, she made a tomb for an independent-study project. But you, too, can have a tomb of your own: We found many of the ideas and instructions at National Geographic Kids. This project was a huge success because she learned so much and she has actually remembered it (as did I)! I also used this at my regular bookclub when we read the book Salt (to illustrate the mineral's use in the mummification process). Whenever I think we really should "set this project free," I come up with another place in which to display it--hence it's appearance here.
Also, if you can find it, check out Egyptology published by Candlewick Press. Presented in the format of a long-lost scrapbook from the 20s (and presumably marketed to kids) it's very visually appealing and beautifully illustrates an archaelogical expedition.
Both the project and the book helped literally and figuratively stage the scene for Peters' Crocodile at my house.--Stephanie

The Case of the Purloined Stash (part 2)

I was sitting out on the front porch this afternoon enjoying some much needed r&r. It was a perfect cool breeze blowing and nature was in its full glory. Hubby had laid out at great lunch for all our local and visiting aviary friends here in our Dragonfly Alley. All the red finches were feasting along side the goldfinches, sparrows and an occasional woodpecker. The doves were waddling around cleaning up the after all the others. Marielle was scooping the place to make sure everyone was being accommodated when she started mumbling. After a few ar's I looked to see that we had an unexpected visit from the Blue Bird clan. They have never visited here before and I thought it was really strange. After a few chirps and ar's, Marielle was alerted that the head secret agent known as White Feathers in Georgia has been alerting all out of state aviary clans to be on the look out for anything out of the ordinary. It seems someone had been sneaking into yarn stashes and is trying to smuggle their stolen goods across country. The last known sighting indicated that it was intercepted and altered it was heading this way. So Mr. White Feather's sent the Blue Bird Clan down south into unknown regions to alert all the local aviaries. So Marielle went in to let the Chi's, Popeye and Hornytoad know what was going on and that a planned strategy must be started and who would be taking the first watch. Hornytoad took his post by grabbing the swing and pretended that he was just swinging. The Redfinch clan thanked the blue bird clan and offered them some good snacks and showed them where the showers were before they headed out to continue alerting other states.Marielle received a coded message today from secret agent covet Ripley. She is to be on alert and start casing the post office. Patty has to go to work really early in the mornings because she just opened up their new restaurant and won't be able to do an area check at the post office until late in the evenings. Marielle has all has provisions in her fanny bag. With several change of cloths if someone takes a notice of her while she checks out the post office. Marielle has alerted the postal clerk Judy to be on the look out for any strange packages, and to sneak it to her immediately! Stay tuned for further information....


The sky was dark and the temperature seemed to be dropping to a chilling rate. Something was a miss today. There seemed to be a greater amount of birds today at Dragonfly Alley. Quite unusual for a weekday. Marielle was spending the day with Judy at the post office helping her sort out the packages when there it was. “The box”. This was the one the Ripley mentioned. Out of the corner of Marielle’s eye she caught a glimpse of this cute looking tan dude. He winked at her. And just as fast as he came in, he was gone. Marielle had the package and waited till Jeff came to open the box to check the mail. She was just dozing off when she heard the key. There he was, she jumped into hands holding tightly to this huge package. She was in her little miss innocent disguise so know one would notice her. She was riding shot gun on top of the package all the way home. When they pulled up Marielle cased the joint to make sure no one was about to jump out and surprise them. Patty heard the car pull in and had the door open for a quick entrance. As Patty shut the door Marielle brought the package in to the bedroom and collapsed from exhaustion. Being a secret agent can get a girl tired quickly it was time for a nap. The package was safely in Patty’s hands. She will need her rest for next week when she will have to help sneak the package across the border to it’s next destination. Till then….

Take a look what I got !!!!
I have recieved my package from Anita in the Holiday swap!!

Oh me, oh my!! It was SOOOOO great! Thank you so much Anita!!
Here's a picture of it. You can see and read more in my blog.

I am using the cup every day! And there was also some origami-beauties in the gift, I'll post a picture of them as well :-)

Again : THANK YOU !!!

I know, I know

I realize that I sent an email saying that I was going to take a sabbatical from the reading because I had so much reading for school. I had even put the "Crocodile" in the stack of books to go back to the Library.

Anyway, as luck would have it . . . my last Friday evening class (yeah!) was on, surprise, Friday. I do have two classes on Saturday (8 to noon and 1 to 5). When I got home from school on Saturday, my hubby reminded me that we were to go to the volunteer recognition dinner at Church (I totally forgot) and he had pulled out a pizza for the kids. Off we went for dinner and some (not much dancing). We were home by 9:15.

And there sat "Crocodile." It had not been returned. So, I started reading it and am almost done. I really am enjoying it. Maybe I'll even be able to squeeze in the next book too (or maybe I'll get the audio and "read" it in the car when I'm going back and forth to school).

The Case of the Purloined Stash Continues

Hello everyone, just wanted to post a photo of the three doxies hard at work guarding the box in question.


On the left is Ripley, on the right is Rosie and standing on top of the box is Dottie. They have it all covered.

Friday was an amazing day!

This posting is an early one for me...I have so much adrenaline pumping through my system when I woke up at 4:25 and my dd was to be on the bus to a speech meet at 4:30. (She got over there, but I sure hope she hit the restroom before the bus hit the road!)

Montana didn't get a snow day, but then again, as long as we can get enough kids to school, we normally count the day. I spent my day teaching and getting ready to drive the 1.5 hours to the local wrestling meet. My hubby even came in from the farm, so the hubby, dd, a friend and I headed to Chinook for an evening of wrestling. Before leaving town, we got the mail, and in it was an amazing surprise from our wonderful Jane! She sent items related to my New Years Goals...WOW!

I'm going to try her list of things to do. Tell me what you think:

1. Visit Whoduknit
2. Check Email
3. Knit
4. Read a book (I finished Crocodile last night!)
5. Eat some chocolate
6. Breathe in - Breathe out
7. Read some more
8. Knit some more
9. Eat more chocolate
10. Finish that book
11. Have a glass of wine
12. Wake up from my dream!

Yes, that would be a dream...but I like it! Dearest Jane...Do you have any Good Apple books?

Thank you SO much!
dob

Egyptian Knitting

Did you know that the oldest surviving pieces of knitting were found in Egypt? Perhaps in the very tombs that Amelia was exploring LOL. This page has some interesting links about Egyptian knitting that I thought were interesting.

What do you do with leftover yarn?

When Deb posed this question on the Yahoo list there were so many interesting replies I thought I'd compile them here on the blog. Here was Deb's question:


What do you do with all the left over yarn that you have when you finish a project? It's not enough to do another one and as addicted as we are to yarn, it's not enough to throw away, so what do you do with it?

And..the answers:

From Stephanie:
In the past I've taken bits of similar weight yarns and made mittens.
I just make it into one big ball and start knitting. Toddlers
especially seem to like the crazy look. My daughter will also use
bits for whatever project she's making. (Gluing yarn in weird shapes
on notebooks seems to be most in vogue among middleschoolers) I've
also given parts of balls to Girl Scouts and other groups where kids
are being taught to knit. MOSTLY though, they go in a trunk where I
wonder what I'm going to do with them.

From Linda:
Well I just started knitting my 8 year old daughter a pair of socks and
I said to myself "self" you could just use all your little balls of left
over yarns to make her socks with. I need to figure the yardage but I think
it might work!!

From Karen:
If you crochet (and with this, anyone can), I make these. You make them throughout and towards the end of the year you have enough to make yourself a blanket, or a blanket to donate.

From Janet:
I've mentioned several times all of the kid mittens I've done this
fall and winter. I've just been using worsted or DK weight most of
the time. Since a couple of grandsons are very small, it doesn't
take much yarn to do them, and when running short of a particular
color, I've done stripes with something else I don't have much of.

With fancier yarns, a plain scarf can become spectacular with a mix
of multiple colors and multiple yarns. Hats are another way to use
up bits and pieces.

From Vigdis:
knit blankets :-)

I take the yarn with me when we go to our hut in the mountains, and while I'm there I knit blankets in garterstitch. I usually have to of them, one in fingering and one in heavier yarn. And they lie there tempting guests to knit :-) And the funny thing is that almost everyone has to try!!! I usually cast on about 20 stitches, so that it doesn't get too heavy to hold. In this way I get to use ALL my leftovers. Great!!

From Patty:
What I do with some of the left over yarn is that I cut it into 1
inch lengths and place it in a special holder I have in my bird
cages and my little finches make nests out of it. I also place some
outside and watch the wild birds and squirrels take it and make
nests with it. Just like helping the little guys for their gals.

From Jane:
We all have those little bits of yarn that we just can't throw away. How about this magic ball ? I used this method to make this 'magic ball felted bag' Details are on my blog. It would also be a great way to make a one-of-a-kind scarf.

Any more ideas?

January Read

I hope many of you are enjoying "Crocodile." For some who are having a bit of trouble getting into the book, it might help to know that it is a bit of a spoof. It was published in 1975, at about the end of the publishing dominance of the Gothic Romance during the 60s and 70s. Peters was pretty successful in that genre, writing both as Elizabeth Peters and Barbara Michaels.

In her real life persona as Barbara Mertz, she is an archaeolgist/Egyptologist, so you can trust her on both the Victorian and Egyptian history details in this book. Those of you who have already read it might have noticed the references to Rider Haggard, and the book very much spoofs his style of adventure romances published between 1885 and his death in 1925--yeah, a slight anachronism there. "Crocodile" also borrows in style from the British travel memoirs of the Victorian period. If you want visuals of the Egypt Peters describes, look at prints by an artist named David Roberts, whose images of Egypt and the Holy Lands were wildly popular and still fetch prices well beyond my budget.

I came across a battered paperback library discard sometime in the early 80s, and it got packed away with some other books I hadn't quite gotten around to reading. In the early 90s, the series started making the best seller lists and I checked out a mid series title to read, but just didn't get it and turned it back in after a couple of chapters. When we moved from Texas to NC in 2001, I found "Crocodile" while unpacking and, at last, gave it a go. I chuckled all the way through and LOVED it. I went on to devour the entire Amelia Peabody series, several of the later titles in audio and read by the incomparable Barbara Rosenblat, who is so able to capture Amelia's tongue-in-cheek self-righteously opinionated tone.

Janet

International Tote Exchange III

It's time for International Tote Exchange III. So how does it work? You will make a tote/purse/handbag for your Secret Pal and a different Secret Pal will make a tote for you. The "totes" can be big or small, knit or crochet, felted or not - whatever you want to make. If you are interested please read the sign-up process, rules and schedule (http://internationaltotexchangeiii.blogspot.com/ ) and then, if still interested, send an e-mail as described in the process. SIGN-UPS END JANUARY 24, 2007!!

On its way to Georgia!

The Case of the Purloined Stash

Sign-ups have closed and our team of sleuths has been assembled to help Ms.Dunknit solve the Case of the Purloined Stash The case has been intercepted and arrangements have been made to smuggle it out of Maine some time tomorrow. Check the blog tomorrow to see where it is headed!

Mini Christmas Stocking

I've posted a message (#903) on the Yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhoDuKnit/ with the instructions for the stockings. Enjoy,
Fiadhnat

Welcome Tara

Meet our newest Whoduknit member, Tara.

New Year's Resolutions

I hope that everyone who shared their Christmas decorations on the blog has received their Whoduknit bookmark, in time to keep your place in our January book!
I really enjoyed reading your New Year's resolutions, and plan to adopt some of them myself (notice I didn't post any?) They were all so thoughtful that there was no way to pick the best so I put your names into the random number generator in the order of your posts, and Debbie Wickum aka Dobarah was the winner! You will be receiving a surprise in the mail Debbie - something that will help you fulfill your resolutions. It is such a surprise, that I don't even know what it will be yet LOL.
Thank you all for sharing - you are the best!

My 2007 resolutions

I started this on the 2nd and now finally have time to finish. Maybe finding time should be my resolution! Actually my resolution was not to lose my temper so quickly or at all. Well hubby made me blow that one 3 days into the new year!! So I am just going to take every day, one day at a time, count to ten when I want to say something "nice". Or find some poem to recite when I feel the steam rising.
I did think of one thing I would like to do this year so I guess I will add it into my resolution. That would be to learn how to knit a sock!
I did complete my resolution I made last year. That was to start a blog and keep writing in it. Done. I guess in the back of my mind learning to knit was the other. (or more important, casting on!) Started.
So I will take each day, live each moment and look for the bright side of every situation. And start buying sock yarn!! Yippie!
Hope every one has a Happy Year!

Thank you Jane

I just received my Whoduknit? very cool bookmark :)
I'll use it when I start the January book; which I will pick up from the library on Monday. First I need to finish my current book; The Collectors.
Happy Reading.

Entrelac KAL

My LYS was having a 20% off sale so I bought my yarn for the entrelac scarf. It's Kureyon in color #40. The shop owner said she has seen them made using three different colors of Noro, which would be very interesting too. I think this is going to be fun Deb!

Thanks Patty!

You've been messing with the blog, haven't you! It looks great - thanks!

Fiadhnat's New Year's Resolutions

And she's already accomplished her first one!



Firstly, how do I post to the blog? As I don't know how I'll share my
knitting related resolutions here.
1. Use up some (no make that a lot) of my stash - you can't take it
with you! Oh, but then again, I made that resolution last year too.
2. Related to No. 1 is to go on a yarn buying diet (do books and
patterns count, I mean I may need to buy one to use up some of the
stash).
3. Finish those long standing UFO's. I start the year with eight
projects on the needles but finished one of those yesterday.
Have a great knitting year everyone and may you keep all your
resolutions,
Fiadhnat

New Year's Goals

Last winter, I learned to knit. This winter, my main knitting goal is to learn to make socks! I also want to try something cabled, as I 've never done that before. Also, any knitted gifts to be given next Christmas, I want to get started WELL in advance of the holidays.
(for more general goals, see the blog)

My New Year's Resoutions

I'm not one to usually make resolutions, cause I never keep them. But.......this year might be a little different....lol.

1. Learn to knit socks....gotta do that for the master knitting program
2. Learn to knit mittens....gotta do that for my sweet hubby
3. Learn to knit fairisle sweaters.....gotta do that for the master knitting program
4. Learn to knit enterlac.....no...been there, done that, got the scarf, gonna teach ya'll to do that
5. Finish the four UFO's that I have going now....gotta do that to start another project, cause I need the needles.
6. Gotta go to the 60% off sale at my LYS this saturday....gotta do that cause I gotta have more yarn.
7. Gotta start the master knitting program.....gotta have a push for that one, it seems I'm getting nervous thinking about doing it after I paid the money for it.......Help!
8. Gonna eat better to take off these 70 pounds that have attached themselves to my bod. Hopefully changing jobs will help with that one. Everyone pray it comes through!
9. Learn to knit intarsia - gotta do that cause I just love the way it looks
10. Well, maybe 9 is enough, no let's make this one to have more fun with this WhoDuKnit family!

Love ya!

Whoduknit?

Whoduknit? 2007 resolutions

There are already some great ones that are on my list, but my main resolution is to:

STOP FEELING GUILTY--
I will spend as much on yarn/patterns/books/tools as I want to (it's never been THAT much).
I will trash or recycle and pass along ufos once they are no longer fun. After all, I knit because I love to knit, not because I need knitted garments/gifts/accessories.
I will keep moving--I lost 18 lbs last year and I feel terrific even though I am a long way from an ideal weight. I cut calories in a sensible way (who has time for a program) and got serious about a reasonable level of exercise.
I will remember that every day is a fresh start--a new opportunity for relationships, personal growth, and joy in both the same old and unexpected places.

Weee, thanks Jane, now I know how to post to the blog! I've already left a message at the group about my new year's (knitting) resolutions so just as a trail I'll post a picture of my favourite Christmas ornament - well this year's favourite!

I got the pattern at my local knitting café and knit 15 of them. They were all given as 'gift holders' for such gifts as money, earrings, mini torch, keyrings, sweets, etc. There is no copyright info or designer's name on the pattern so I'm sure I can pass it on if anyone wants to get an early start on Christmas knitting :-)

Fiadhnat

My resolutions

1. Figure out all this blog stuff.
2. Try to accumulate books at the same pace at which I read them.
3. Be a more consistent parent (won't the DD be thrilled with that one?)
4. Be more selfish--really I put myself on the back burner way too often.
5. Learn how to knit socks.

Seven Resolutions for 2007

Even though I already listed these resolutions on my own blog, I thought I'd join in on the fun here. So here are 7 Resolutions for 2007.

1. Knit Sweaters. I have this mental block about sweaters. I'm pretty sure it comes from my time of knitting when I was a young girl and knew nothing about the mystery of gauge or the intricacies of substituting yarns. My sweaters were absolute disasters of gigantic proportions. Now I want to get over this fear I have of knitting sweaters. In fact I've already started one!
2. Spin more yarn! I just bought a new wheel and I'd like to make the most of it.
   
3. Knit what I spin. I have only used my handspun for one project, which was one little afghan block. This year I'd like to use my handspun for bigger projects like socks or a shawl.
   
4. Lose weight. I've been steadily losing about 2lbs a month for the past 6 months or so. For 2007 I'd like to continue this trend and keep losing the weight by eating less and exercising 3 times a week.
   
5. Get my Christmas presents out on time. This year I'd like to get my Christmas presents to their recipients to them by Christmas. I had them all knitted by Christmas of 2006, but I just didn't make it to the Post Office on time. Better planning this year is called for!
6. Buy more yarn. Like my friend Alison, one of my resolutions is to buy more yarn. The reason for this is much like hers. I have the means to buy the yarn and a large stash may just come in handy one day, like during an earthquake, but I also need to stop agonizing over every single yarn purchase I make. I use the yarn I buy and none of it really languishes in a stash. So I need to stop feeling so guilty over it too.
7. Get more involved. I'd like to become more involved in KALs. Knitting communities are very special places that hold very special people and I'd like to involved myself more and get to know more people.
   

So there you have it! My 7 resolutions for the year 2007! And just so you know I already have the book for January so I'm trying to start resolution number 7 as we speak. Also, I started a sweater last night, so there's a start to resolution number 1!

2007 Resolutions

Everything that I've always read states that the best way to keep a resolution is to write them down and share them . . . so, thanks to this wonderful group and Jane's suggestion that we blog them, I will (as will everyone else) be able to make and keep this year's resolutions. Given that, I have to keep them attainable and reasonable:

1) Not buy anymore yarn until I have all my WIP done and if I cannot finish them (some are just hideous), admit it and get it off the needles, frogged and rewound. If necessary, give away the yarn.
2) Finish my MBA (LOL . . . I am actually scheduled to graduate in May . . . so hopefully this will happen!).
3) Lose 52 pounds (1 pound a week . . . totally attainable and will get me well on my way to my goal weight).
4) Walk more. Sit less.
5) Play with my kids more (losing weight will help with this one).

Happy New Year Everyone!

My resolutions for 2007

Tis the season for some resolutions...so here we go!

1. Blog more, I would like to say blog daily, but being realistic, I'll aim for weekly!
2. Log more, meaning keep a daily diary-type thingie, be it online or otherwise
3. Organize my world!
4. Create and Share those creations either online or in reality...golly, I am even going to keep a few of them...but I'll share visually!
5. Enjoy! I'm planning on saying no to the things/events in my life I really don't need for positive karma. Okay, I know I'll have some bummer type events (mandatory meetings and such) but if I'm knitting or coloring images I COULD be enjoying something!

And lastly....6. Tell the important people in my life how important they are...life is too fragile to be taken for granted!

Happy New Year!