Holloween 2009

This is the blanket of leaves on my huge yard! I haven't quite figured out what or how to dispose of them as yet - I've been hoping for wind but alas none has come to help me.

Well, here we go again. I grew my own pumpkins this year. My daughter took the large one for decoration and I carved the smaller one (yes, I only got two out of my garden, the others were still green and didn't make it).

This one became my Jack O Lantern - see the little lights on the table - those are great for Pumpkins. I also learned a trick today, You carve the pumpkin from the bottom and the seeds just fall out (practically). This great pumpkin did not have alot of stuff inside and was super easy to carve.

This is my new fast project. Its from the Book, "Norwegian Handkints". this is a little messenger pouch - I'm just finishing the 78" I-cord strap and then it will go in the washer.

Logans sweater is coming along - I finished the body, 1 sleeve and then we re-attach sleeves to body.

I have been bouncing all over the country roads this week. First Carver to NP, NP to Minneapolis (1 hour), Mpls to Carver. Next Day, Carver to NP, NP to Victoria, back to Carver, Carver to Edina and Back to Carver. It is crazy and all necessary.

Today is wet, wet, wet and I'm heading over to Victoria for Ladies Night Out at the Deer Run Golf Course. I have never been to this but Noelle of Tealightful Treasures is having a booth and thought I check it out.

This is sock/shawl weight from Land O Lace. Handdyed at a very nice price. She sent me two scarf patterns and everyone at Bungee loved this yarn. She also has handdyed lace in merino/silk blend. www.landolace.com

Cascade Heritage is another new sock/scarf weight yarn that arrived last week.
and of course we have to have Cascade Tweed for sweaters, hats, mittens and felted projects!

We had a great time at Bungee again. Everyone is working on something new or finishing an old project. The mixed berry pie alamode wasn't bad either!

Weaving student finished her scarf in one day on the Ashford Knitter's loom. Such a fun loom, you can weave a scarf faster than you can knit it on this loom. This particular customer has a great stash to work from to make many lovely scarves.

This week is Holloween and we are having a book signing in New Prague by an author who writes children's books. This is his second, I believe, about the old days of trick or treats in the Country. Very cute book.

I have a lawn covered in a blanket of leaves and now I'm praying for a nice strong wind to come blow them away. They are too wet to rake or mow so that's what I'm hopin' for.

I'm up to the arm pits on Logan's sweater, started a sleeve and then had to stop so I could start this cute little purse (felted heart shape) in the book "Norwegian Handknits" by Sue Flanders and Janine Kosel (Minneapolis native, works at Three Kittens Yarn Shop) This is designed after the Leather Waist Pouch dated to 1795-when men carried leather waist pouches because their garments had no pockets. This version is knit and felted and then embroidered. I love it! Mine is purple and I'll get a photo when I get more done.

First snow

First Snow - October 13th, 2009

I'm not liking this! It is pretty but really, I have not cleaned out my garden yet!

If you don't receive newsletters from Knitting Daily, you should. They have a new tutorial on there today showing a video on how to cable without a cable needle. Now, I know that this would send some of my students into arrest, because you need to take your stitches off the needle for a minute and put them back on but it is quicker and more efficient, especially if you are doing alot of them like the famous "Central Park Hoodie" (Ravelry). Oh, plus you get a free pattern of a cabled cardigan on Knitting Daily website. http://www.knittingdaily.com/

Ravelry, again is the wonderful website for designers to show their work. I just bought the Summer Soltice pattern from Heidi Kirrmaier and when it printed (it cost $7), it came out in another language that I don't recognzie. (Probably Scandinavian) I emailed Heidi and she immediately sent me an english version. Neither one of us can figure out why this happened. My computer is not set for a random language so the evil elves were are work here. Its a very well written pattern and I love the design of this buttonless cardigan.

Another great pattern source is Knitty.com/ISSUEfall09 is now available. I just printed off the Colonnade Shawl Pattern - I love it and the designer is a MAN, Stephen West. He has a blog and some other great patterns that I will want in the future.

So many patterns, so much to knit. I just started a sweater for Logan out of my beloved Karabella, Aurora 8 yarn, using the wallaby pattern from Carol Anderson but without the pocket so it's called an un-wallably!

Ellie had her first dance recital this week! Great job Ellie! Now she's going on to Jazz, Josh is too!


Had a visit with my 85 year old Aunt and Uncle last week. He had a back procedure where, he says, they inserted cement into his deteriorating disc. He figured if they could do that between each vertebrae he could grow another 2-3 inches. (he's lost 2-3 inches over the years). He also said, when they have nothing else to do, which isn't often because they are busy people, they go to Walmart and park in the parking lot and people watch. Never thought of that myself! I knit!

Snow!!!!

Well, need I tell you I have not done a thing in the garden yet? Hopefully, we will have some mild winter yet so I can clean up this mess. The trees have not even dropped their leaves yet!!!

I did get this pumpkin out of the garden last week. It's a keeper!

I've had a busy week. Worked a temp job at a great company. Had Ladies Nite Out on Thursday in NP and "my oh my" the Barbie look alikes I saw. Women really got into this with wigs and different outfits. Who knew?? It was alot of fun. Friday night class and Saturday class were great. Great customers.

Sunday evening we had a little party for Jenna. She's moving to LA on Wednesday. I wish her the very best but will miss her terribly. My sister moved away when she was in her 20's and has never considered moving back, so I'm preparing myself for Jenna's move. She just feels she needs a change and warmer climate will help.

Working on a new mobius - I finished the one and it turned out cute. The new one is a pattern from Garn Studio (free) and made out of Alpaca. I'm using Plymouth's Alpaca in White.

WIP :

Socks with possum yarn

Logan's blue sweater

Alpaca Mobius

Afghan in blue blocks

I finished the Mermaid scarf using Elsbeth Lavold's silky wool. I love it - it's light weight but warm around the neck.

Monday night in Chaska is tonight ! Hope to see you there

Brought in the pumpkins

Last night Josh stayed overnight and while it was still light out, we brought in the pumpkins so they wouldn't freeze. Photo later (you know why)!

Had a great evening watching a Casper the ghost movie, baking bars to go up to the family gathering in South Haven today for buggy rides at my cousins house. Nicole ran her first 10K today so Uncle Dan stayed overnight at the house to wake up with the other two and Josh and I went over later for breakfast. We had a great time.

I finished the mobius last week, the mermaid scarf, the hat with my homespun yarn and started the cable scarf and Logan's sweater. I'm finally getting something accomplished. Photos later (YKW).

Off to the party - have a great day, knitting, I hope.