Homestead Knitting

Blogstalker 2 assignment 3 post, finally!!!

2007-10-04T14:48:00.000-04:00

I am very late with this blogstalker post, but I have an excuse for my van... It died and I had to get a new vehicle!!! And.......here she is!!! She is so purty, I just love her!!! She is a 1994 mint Beretta z26, candy apple red!!! ooh man, I cant quit looking at her!!! And, guess how much I paid, a grand, yep... that's right, $1000!!! Can you believe it? Plus, on top of that, there is NO rust on her, which is something to be said for a NY car that is 13 years old, heck for a NY car that is 3 years old, even they usually have some rust along the bottom and wheel carriages. So, without further ado, here she is!!!

Wip, and lots of other STUFF

2007-10-03T08:50:00.000-04:00

Here is the super soft merino top roving I got from the Fiber Fest in Hemlock the other weekend. Good gravy, it is almost too soft to work with!!! I cannot make it thin for the life of me!But it is looking nice!!! I have 8 ounces of it to spin:)
Here is the roving that I handyed and spun on my spindle, I was going to make it into a bolero jacket, but I ran out of yarn, so, its going to be a purse!!! In this pic it is folded in half so I could show the purse affect...
And here is my clapotis!!! I am on the 5th repeat of the straight rows!!! Almost done, I can feel it!!!
Here is the first boot sock done, I have casted on the other. trying to get them done quickly in time for the season!
Loooooook!!! My crafty sil made me a needle holder, it rolls up and ties, how cool is she? I love it!

Well, that's all. oh yeah, I haven't put a pic of my ride yet for blogstalker, it died, I bought a new one! If it gets here tonight, I will post all the pretty pics then!!!

National Alpaca Farm Day

2007-09-30T19:10:00.000-04:00

Saturday (yesterday) was national alpaca farm day, and the kids and I toured a bunch of local farms. I couldn't find the camera, so no pics, but I scored on a pound of batted alpaca fiber!!! A freaking pound of cleaned, and batted alpaca fiber for $25!!! Not only that, but she also had a bunch of alpaca yarn that was so well priced, that I plan to go back to her little shop in a couple weeks after the first of month bills are paid, I mean $12 for dk weight 580 yards!!! Oh yeah, and it is hand spun by her on her wheel. The kids had a great day learning all about alpacas on the different farms, touching them, the baby was mad every time we had to leave, he REALLY liked touching them!!! And we got to see a baby who had just been dropped a few minutes earlier at one of the farms. I really wish I could find my camera! But I cannot, so I will describe my new fiber to you, it is a gorgeous soft color of dark and light brown... there, that's what it is,lol. OK, I will make a deal with you, as soon as I find my camera, I will get a picture up, hope I didn't loose it somewhere?

Oh yeah, and like my previous post said, I AM ON RAVELRY!!! My name is the same as knitty, homesteadinmamma.
Also, I really have to find my camera, I need to take a pic of my disgusting dirty little mini van for blog stalkers by tomorrow night,uh oh, crap, let me go look for it. Maybe it is in the dirty disgusting mini van???????

Ravelry

2007-09-30T15:07:00.001-04:00

I got my invite to Ravelry!!!!!!! Come visit, my hanger is homesteadinmamma...

Worried about my needle size

2007-09-27T15:20:00.000-04:00

So, I am really starting to worry about my needle size for the upcoming secret stole kal. I chose size 6, as the pattern called for. I did a swatch, then frogged it, it just looked so frumpy and ugggh. I am gonna have to use them though, rent is due in a few days and I don't have the extra funds. I wish I had chosen either smaller needles, or thicker yarn. Was hard finding 2000 yards of yarn I could afford though. Well, will just have to see how it turns out! Gotta go finish blanching 30 pounds of tomatoes...fun..fun..fun..

The pic of bug and cat? Just because I have a weakness for cute little boys:)

WOYNW and... sock fo's!!!

2007-09-26T20:08:00.000-04:00

Here we have some wip's and a sock fo. Been working hard, but feel like I am not getting far. Have sooo much going on with the boy's homeschooling and field trips, and baby and, well... just every thing. It is also time of year to pick all the veggies, get them processed, get my flowers dead headed and get the seeds ready for next spring.

First up we have the start of the matching hunting boots sock that I finished the mate to last month, I was thinking of not doing it, but... I m going to finish it, I cant stand having one sock laying on the back of my couch with no friend.
Here is the start to my Clapotis, I am in the 3rd section, repeat one. Personally I don't think I am doing it right, but time will tell.
Here is the bolero I am making from my own hand dyed and hand spun on my spindle, I am loving how it is turning out. Just love knitting with my own special yarn, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside...
And here are ds bug's slipper socks done. They fit him perfect. When I get the matching hunting boot sock done, I plan on making the babies slipper socks and the tootall ds slipper socks.

So I have a few wip's going on, and a sock fo to show off.

Monday yarn review

2007-09-24T19:40:00.001-04:00

Ok, today I will be reviewing knitpicks gloss yarn. It is fabulous!!! ( Have you ever watched the Grinch with Jim Carey? Say Fabulous like he does, cuz that's how I'm saying it, you know...to get the full effect...)

Here is a link to this great, soft, easily workable yarn!!! I am using it as one of the yarns in my clapotis, and am so very happy the kids decided they wanted me to use the yarn I was going to use on something for them. So I decided to use knitpicks gloss and a shaefer anne sock yarn for the clapotis. Yep, I am happy!!!
http://knitpicks.com/Gloss_YD5420151.html

I got it in a swap and am so very glad I did! The moral of this story, if you haven't tried knitpicks gloss yet, what are you waiting for? Hop on over and get you some!!!

2007-09-21T18:39:00.000-04:00

Here is the new week theme for the blogstalker 2 webring! The guts of my purse. This is probably the first time in my whole life I am actually thank full for a crappy camera!!! With the glare you cannot really see just how bad the inside of my purse really is!!! I have had the same purse for over 5 years, and I don't remember ever cleaning it!!!
And, this pic is because every time I pull out the camera, ds beaner wants his pic taken, and this time he wanted piggies:) He is way too cute,...must.....resist.....cutenes......cant.....do....it........

A sock pair fo and A REALLY BIG spider

2007-09-21T17:53:00.001-04:00

Here is ds cat's slipper socks, with a real heel and everything!!! They fit him perfect, every few minutes I would check to make sure they were just his size. He loves them, and wants lots more. But right now I have to make some for the other boy's. But, it does look like I am gonna have to put all my pretty sock yarn on a back burner that I wanted to make myself socks with, I did start knitting to be able to make the kids things after all. I have already started ds bugs, then I will make ds beaners and then ds tootall. I am very proud of myself for figuring out the gusset heel. I really wanted to do a shaped heel inside the gusset, but it just was not meant to be. I will learn that later I suppose.

I want to start by saying I am NOT a bug killer. When I find them in the house, I simply take them outside. But this GIANT spider attacked me, I swear it!!! It was even bigger before I was forced to squash it, now his legs are up under him. Here is the story. I was taking the trash out, with baby on hip because he had yet another up all night screaming gig, it was probably about midnight. I seen it on the porch, I walked around it, I was barefoot. It proceeded to RUN at me, so I just kept going, but then it started running at me almost getting me, so I dropped the trash can on him. What else could I have done? I feel horrible, but really, what could I have done? That GIANT spider had it out for me!!! Maybe my toes smelled good. Well, probably not, they never do.

My angel Jacob's birthday today

2007-09-20T15:23:00.000-04:00

I posted earlier today, in hopes of trying to be normal, but today is my son Jacob's birthday. He is 4 years old today. I miss him so much. I wish I could see him blow out his candles today and tear open his presents, but he cannot. I just want to hold him so badly. I know I have my other children to be normal for, but days like today are so hard. He shouldn't have died, I just didn't know better. I thought I was doing what was right for him, what everyone always does, what the doctors recommend and schools insist upon. I was just trying to be a good mom, trying to keep him safe, and trying to keep him from getting sick. I didn't know that while trying to do that, I had a hand in losing him. It is something I will never forgive myself for. I should have known, but I didn't and now he is gone. I am so sorry Jacob, mommy loves you and will never forget you, I promise. And even on the days when it seems I am fine, and life is normal, it is NOT because you are not on my mind, it is because I HAVE to pretend to be normal, but I always think of you. When I see rain, I wish you could see it, when I hear a bird, I wish you could here it. When I look into your eyes in your pictures, I wish I could hug you. Mommy misses you Jake n bake, and I am so sorry I didn't save you.

oops, missed wip Wednesday...

2007-09-20T13:18:00.001-04:00

So, first up is a sock, yes a real life sock, with heel and toe that fits!!! I really tried to "shape" a heel, but just couldn't, so I did a shaped gusset, and it worked. I needed to make my kids some slipper socks so I practiced learning how to make a wheel on acrylic worsted weight that was in my stash. It was so much easier trying to figure out than on my other sock with sock yarn, which by the way I ave really screwed up and need to rip it back about 30 or so rows and am just gonna put a gusset in, no heel shaping here...
And here he is wearing it!!! I made sure it fit him as I was knitting it, and it does ever so perfect, now lets hope he doest have a growth spurt!!!
Ahhhhhhh, here we have some new sock yarn from www.thankewe.etsy.com and I must say, I am happy. It is the softest sock yarn I have, and I have accumulated about 6 skeins. They had it on sale for $12.99 a skein, and each is 540 yards!!! So soft, and the colors are great!!! Also, they are really nice people to put up with me. Let me tell you, I was 4 days late getting payment out. I ordered it the day before Dan left and then forgot about it, and even after all that, they sent the kids a couple pieces of candy in the bag!!!
Here are the pants I just finished for the baby. They are a little big in the waist so I am going to put some stitches in the side. He loves them.

Ok, gotta go finish my dishes!!!

But, first I wanted to say something. There was a couple comments about our lifestyle. I just wanted to share a saying I have been teaching the kids since they were babies...
Leave no footprints other than the flowers you plant... Words to live by:)

( I mostly use this when they are fussing about having to take out the compost,lol)

IT IS 3:30 AM!!!!!!!

2007-09-19T03:25:00.001-04:00

Here is the 3 pound cone of wool lace weight I got at the Fiber Fest this passed weekend for the mystery stole kal coming up next month, as well as the needles I went and got tonight. They are Addi turbos size 6. Also, the gold metallic beads to go with it. I wanted to get a swatch knit up but hasn't happened yet, maybe tomorrow while the baby sleeps?
Ok, well, you see....... here we have a "bag" sale at my local lys. I swear, I was only going to get the needles for the clapotis and the mystery stole but they were having said bag sale, and to give myself credit, the rest of the bags were like $75-$100. I got the cheapest one they had. It is 5 skeins of Berrocco Crystal FX. It says the value is $44.75. I paid $29.95. So, I am thinking of making this, well, I will have to post that later, it is saved on my AOL. And IT is not working right now. Gotta love road runner. I NEVER had this slow of a connection or this many problems getting kicked off line with phone line. Guess what cable company says? Yep you guessed it, not there prob. You would think that for the money they charge they would actually give a crap, you know??? eta: ok, aol fixed for a minute, here is the link of what I am thinking of making with this yarn. I am wondering if I will have enough though?
http://www.lanagrossa.com/service/mdm/01_2005/index.html

I really need a new camera, sorry for crappy pics, of well, everything. But here is the yarn my boys dyed the other day!!! I told them I am going to make a wash cloth set out of all the yarn and they are in there glory!!! I have already made 2 just so Tom and Joe could each use one to wash up with today.

here is the roving I dyed with kool aid last week. I am just about done spinning it now, real nice of me to finally post the pics though huh? It is spinning up really nice and I am gonna make some sort of shawl or bolero or something out of it...
And here is a pic of the baby because every time I pull out my camera, he sits down so very pretty and says me mama me. He is just so adorable!!!

Well, I just got a very fussy baby to settle down without having to hold him. We will see how long it lasts. Not sure if he is getting more molars or what, but tonight has been hell. I almost wonder if he isn't upset because I am upset, even though I am not showing it.Had a blow up with the boy;s daddy tonight, showed up at my house about 10pm to drunk to be talking to anyone, let alone his self. Anyhow, I was gonna knit, but my hands are too cold!!! I am sipping on a nice hot cup of black coffee, hoping to warm up. I had thought about going to bed, BUT, I am the kind of person, that if I go to bed now, I will NOT get up in the morning...

Ok, am off to drink more coffee and see if I can knit the swatch for the secret stole!!!

Who am I?

2007-09-18T18:54:00.000-04:00

This is for the who am I theme on knitty blogstalkers!!!

I am a mom first!!! My whole life revolves around my kids. I home school, we do not vaccinate( well, I used to until one of my children died from them). I have had 5 boys, they are all intact( not circumcised). I nurse or have nursed all 5 of my children. I am very very recently single.

I love an organic garden and cannot wait till next year so I can buy a couple acres and live off the land!!! I have a three year plan to build a cabin from the ground up with my own hands, well anyone who would like to help is very welcome,lol.

I kit, dye yarn, and have started spinning with a drop spindle.

Flowers!!!I have as many indoor and outdoor flowers as I have veggies growing!!!

I also have a cat named Todd, and just this passed weekend I got the boys 2 baby bunnies. Hotrod and Snowball.

I love to be outdoors, camping, hiking, just sitting, taking walks, anything. If I can talk the kids intooing it, then we are there!!!

I guess I am a little weird in my ways... we use NOTHING disposable, right down to the cloth wipes for our tushes. Anything you find in my home to clean with is made by me and edible, well maybe not my laundry soap, though not toxic or harmful I doubt that borax and washing soda mixxed with peppermint essential oils tastes very good!!!
I am a vegetarian, as well as my kids... hmm, can't think of anything else about me.......

fo and fiber arts fair, and new bunnies!!!

2007-09-16T20:23:00.000-04:00

We stopped at Tantanick Falls on the long drive to Hemlock to let the stretch their legs.

These are the latest additions to our family, it took $100 away from my fiber arts spending budget, but the boys really wanted them so I gave in. That left me with $50 to spend left, but they are just adorable and soo worth seeing the kids that happy! The white one is snowball and the red is hotrod.
These are the yoga socks I finished for Tom and Joe!
Here is $46 worth of fibery goodness, 3 pounds of wool lace weight for the mystery stole kal starting soon, and various roving types, including soy silk, which I just cannot wait to try!!! I ended up taking all the kids with me. I didn't get to attend any of the classes I wanted or anything, but the kids had a good time, and I am glad I took them, but next year they are NOT coming!!! I didn't get to meet anyone from knitty like I had hoped, but I really had my hands full with the boys, so I really didn't get a chance to try to find anyone.

WIPIT Wednesday

2007-09-12T22:40:00.001-04:00

See the toe??????? It looks stupid, now I have to tear it out and figure out how to make it not so square, I think I will finish the other sock, do the toe, and see which way I like best. But the sock itself turned out perfect despite how funky it looks. It is serving a purpose, although not sure why I care about finishing his hunting socks anymore, I guess just cuz now that I have 1 done, I NEED to finish the other one...
Here are my earthwear socks... I love the way the color s are striping, and it is my first pair of socks using a sock yarn, it is cool! I love it!!! Yep, I.m hooked.
Here is my skein of homespun on my new drop spindle, I love it! Look how thin it is!!! This is my third try, and I cannot believe how well I have picked this up, yep, another addiction.
Here are 2 of my boys handying there own yarn, and when they dry they will tell me what they want made!!! ?How cute are they??? They were so excited , and they just loved hand painting the yarn!
Come Friday for more homespun, plus I had a bunch of fo;s this week, and cant wait to show them off!!!

Lets pretend life is normal, and do our Monday yarn review, shall we?

2007-09-10T15:33:00.000-04:00

Life is perfect, life is fine. I took the younger kids to our small town local library today to get their very first library cards! They were so excited to be able to sign their own names!!! Yes, my husband has left, and to be honest, I am not sure that I even care.

Our normal Monday viewing pleasure:

First yarn on the table ishttp://www.modadea.com/cache.htm

LOVE it! It is mostly wool, and is a little thick and thin, slubbiesh. It knits up quick, easy and looks wonderful!!! best yet, it only cost me a buck at the dollar store.

Next up is Lillie's and Cream cotton yarn:http://www.sugarncream.com/product.php?LGC=sugarncream

It is just a tiny bit stringy if you are trying to use them on little needles. I was using it to knit one of my boys yoga socks on size 2 dpns, it wasn't too bad. I have noticed though that after him wearing them for just a little while, they seem to hang alot. I think I will use the other 8-9 skeins for dish cloth set.

Well, there you have it. Mondays yarn review. Tune in tomorrow for a book review, I should be just getting done with Bill Brysons A walk in the woods!!!

handspun dyed yarn, and ca couple other things.

2007-09-09T10:14:00.001-04:00

Here is the first handspun yarn I ever did! It has been soaked, dyed with Wiltons cake dyes, it is a very small skein, maybe about 4 feet long, but the colrs turned out really cool, like tye dye colors.
Here is my second handspun attempt. I mixed green roving with white. It turned out much better than the first!!!

On another note, I am pretty sure my husband and I are splitting up. It really is for the better. His anger is really escalating again, and its just not something I want to go through again. I shouldnt have to beg him to at least pretend to like me and the kids. Anyhow, thats that. It will be hard because I am a stay at home homeschooling mom, not sure how I will wing it.

My new spindle and roving, oh yeah, and yarn

2007-09-07T13:14:00.001-04:00

Yesterday my new drop sinlde and roving came, I opened it in the parking lot of the po office, and was barely in the door when I was already tearing into the roving and trying to figure out how to spin. I think i did it right, but, it sure seems to use ALOT of roving for just a little bit of yarn, seems it would be the other way around? Here is my goodies, yes, after I broke into them. Did you think I would stop long enough to take pics before playing with it???????? oh, wanted to let you know the wonderful wonderful lady I got my stuff from, it was a shop on Etsy.com, and she is just wonderful. Did I mention she was wonderful??? http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=50026

New hand painted yarn!!!

2007-09-06T14:39:00.000-04:00

Here is the latest hand painted yarn! I wish my cam took better true to life photis, but it does not:(

It has bright and light blues, greys and mauves! I am going to use it for the second wave clapotis kal!

Stormy Weather...

more pics of camping!!!

2007-09-04T22:03:00.001-04:00

Blogger never lets me put enough pics up at one time, so heres more of camping!!!

Oh what a week!!!

2007-09-04T21:51:00.000-04:00

So after a 4 day camping trip, trying to get the kids stuff ready and paperwork copied and sent in for another fun filled:) year of homeschooling, I feel like I have done SOOO much with nothing to show for it!!! I did get some work done on my tank top, I have about 6 inches to go, I am altering it so it is longer than the pattern, so is taking a bit longer. I did get some dying in, so pretty pinks, yellows and lilacs!!! I also dyed 7 skeins this morning to get ready for the Clapotis 2nd wave kal, but it is outside drying, so no pics of that yet! Also, I have yet to finish my book, but am a little disappointed with what happened last in it. They cheated and took a plane, missing about, ohhhh 1000 miles, or more. Now, I am at the part where he is going back, well sorta, a little at a time, but it breaks my heart that he isn't taking Katz with him. But, we will see what happens next!!! OK, here are some pics of the yarn and some random pics from camping!!!

Oh, and last but NOT LEAST

MrsFaith and I set up our own personal swap between us, and I got my goody package today!!! Looky looky looky!!! I am so happy and so excited!!!

Wipit Wednesday

2007-08-29T15:08:00.000-04:00

Well, being that it is wip it Wednesday here in bloggy land, here are my wips! First up we have my dh's hunting socks, using Jiffy thick yarn, why are you using this yarn Niki? I here you all asking, because,it is his fault!!! He wanted a pair of hunting socks, but in the same sentence told me I have too much yarn, and needed to use up some that I have before I buy anymore. Sooooo, I used the thickest yarn I had( because he will be wearing them inside his shit kickers). I am making the pattern up as I go along. It took me like 28 times of ripping them out after 4 inches of work, because I couldn't get them the perfect width, I do NOT want him complaining that they are falling down inside his boots. They are turning out very nice I might add...Next in line is the tank top I am making to maybe wear to the Fiber Arts Fair in Hemlock on the 15th of this month. I am using Noro ribbon yarn in Gisha color 102. I am loving this yarn! gonna have to get me some more.And then, we have my poncho that I am making to maybe wear to said Fiber Arts Fair. I am using Sari silk recycled yarn. I am loving the way the colors are pooling and striping, and cannot wait till it gets finished!!!Well, gotta go check on the zucchini bread.

Book reading list

2007-08-28T10:32:00.001-04:00

So, I have a few books lined up to read next, and was wondering if anyone was interested in doing a read along with me? If so, leave a comment, and I can set it up. Here is my book list

Right now, A walk in the woods by Bill Bryson
http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Woods-Rediscovering-Appalachian-Official/dp/0767902521/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-5113098-1029715?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188311659&sr=1-1

Next ( because I finally pryed it from my sons grip) Harry Potter and the deathly hallows
http://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Deathly-Hallows-Book/dp/0545010225/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-5113098-1029715?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188311737&sr=1-1

Then I will be reading Robinson Crusoe
http://www.amazon.com/Robinson-Crusoe-Norton-Critical-Editions/dp/0393964523/ref=sr_1_4/102-5113098-1029715?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188311810&sr=1-4

Then we can go from there. What do you think?

Yarn Review Monday!

2007-08-27T11:45:00.000-04:00

I have decided that I want to make Mondays into yarn review days! Every Monday I will let you know what yarn/yarns I am working with and let you know what I think of them! This week I am actually working on three different projects. The Fiber Art Fair in Hemlock NY is on the 15th, and I have nothing to wear! So instead of going necked, I am knitting 2 things for it. I am making a poncho out of recycled silk sari yarn in case it is chilly that day, and I am also making a tank top in Noro Gisha ribbon yarn.

Lets start with the sari silk yarn! I LOVE it! Once I figured out how to ball it and how best to use it, I want more!!! Let me make a couple og suggestions while using this yarn. I would not recomend creating something that will be up close and personal on your skin. I have noticed that there is alot of straw throughout it. I left the straw flecks in because I think it adds to the originality of the yarn, but I wouldnt want it scratching my chest or back. My next suggesion is do not make anything with this yarn using garter stitch. I made a scarf using garter, and while it is pretty, the colors muddled and was not happy. My thirr suggestion for this yarn, if you are making anything heavier than a dishcloth, do it on circ needles!!! My hands kept gowing numb from the weight until I moved to circs, now it is smooth sailing! I think everyone should try this yarn at least once! The texture and colors are never the same, and I love how it gets thin, thick, and even the unraveled places make it come alive!!!

Ok, lets move on to the Noro Gisha ribbon yarn, I have colorway102, it is green and golds! It is stunning. I really thought I would have a hard time using this,but again, I am going to add this yarn to my "yep, gonna get some more of this" list! Ok, some suggestions! Do NOT use bamboo sticks! It catches on the slikiness and flutteryness of the ribbon. Do not knit only in garter, I tried following the pattern I am doing, which is all garter and ended up changing it to stockinette, again the colors looked muddled. Maybe its just a verigated thing? I was surprised however to read that this yarn is 34% rayon 33% cotton and 33% polyester. I thought, and was told it was silk, but it is no big woop. So, yes, I think that if you havent tried this yarn, then it is worth trying out!

That is all for today, I have got a sink full of dishes calling me, and the boys have to start their evening lessons soon, so I will see you soon! Have you used either of these yarns? Let me know what you thought! Are you planning on using these yarns? Tell me about that too!!! Interaction is my favorite lol.

Have you seen this contest?

2007-08-26T23:30:00.000-04:00

The owner of this kitten knits is having her blogiversery contest! Make sure to visit her and leave her a comment! She was tying to hit the 50 comment mark, last I checked she had 85, woohoo!!! So go, go mingle, did I mention she also has the coolest patterns on her blog? You will be happy you visited!!!
http://www.thiskittenknits.com/

2007-08-25T18:20:00.000-04:00

Showing off the kids, and swap goodies! Mrs. Faith I hopr your not peeking!!!

FO Thursday!!!!

2007-08-23T19:31:00.000-04:00

Well, today is Finished Object Thursday, and I have a couple to show off. First is my yoga socks, and second is the hat and scarf I made for my 5 year old son Joseph. I let the boys pick out thier own yarns, and out of all the yarns in the world, he chose a red and blue acrylic regular worsted weight. He just loves the way they turned out! He is so easy to please,lol. Here ya go!!!

Book update and WIP Wednesday!

2007-08-22T11:19:00.000-04:00

I am just loving the book I am reading! I really thought when I chose it that it would be a basic documentary of the trail itself, and it is, but with a twist by the author. He is actually a very funny man, and I have gotten just past the beginning of the 2nd chapter, I have giggled at least 7 times,lol. I think I like it so much, because not only is it imformative about the trail, the background of the trail and the forestry agency, but it also has a personal aspect to it. I look forward to reading more! If this is not on your "to read" list, might I suggest putting it there!!!

Ok, it is WIP Wednesday and I have been working very hard on http://cast-adrift2.blogspot.com/2006/01/yoga-socks-pattern.html

I am using Unger yarn in Cappacino(sp?) and am loving it! I have alot of different yarns in 1-2 skeins, and plan on using alot of them to make mor of these, as well as making some pedicure socks from knitty.com. http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATTpedicuresocks.html

I plan on starting a pair tonight!

Here are some pics of my wip yoga socks!

Tuesdays are for reading!

2007-08-21T10:08:00.000-04:00

It has come to my attention that I have neglected doing something I have loved doing all my life! I haven't picked up a book( other than my kids for homeschooling) in months due to my new obsession with sticks and yarn! I have decided that Tuesdays I will not touch a stick or a piece of yarn, but instead will spend this day reading. Click on the link that is asking what my nose is stuck in, and check out what books I am reading on Tuesdays! Have you read this book? What did you think? Is this book in your "to read" list? Leave comments!

Just showing off the kiddo's!

2007-08-17T14:29:00.000-04:00

Ok, so really nothing to post, I did make a scarf, but have to finish th hat and mittens to it, so no since in posting the pics yet. But I had some pics of my kid's being adorable, so I wanted to put them up. The one of my son holding a bone, well, I do not know what kind of bone it is. I am really hoping deer or something, he found it in the woods already sunbleached and dryed out. I couldnt talk him out of not keeping it, and later coloring it lol.

We are going camping again this weekend, then the long trip to Bath tomorrow, like every weekend. And then I get my break and go to my knitting group on Monday, the perfect ending to a long hectic weekend.

I really ought to take care of the 13 loads of laundry I have washed, hung to dry, brought ina nd folded into piles before we do leave for camping, but I JUST DO NOT WANT TOO! But, I will want to even less on Monday after the long weekend... I will think about doing it, we shall see.

Oh oh oh, wish me luck! I will be doing the baby dance the 20th thru the 25th, trying to make this cycle the lucky cycle! I am trying to tell myself that after having 5 boys, that I am trying for a little girl, but to be quite honest with you, I almost think I would like another little boy,not sure yet.Well, off I go to get ready for camping. See you Monday!

Kids and yarn, mommy stuff.

2007-08-15T21:45:00.000-04:00

Remember the pair of pants I was working on for my youngest son? Well, he had to sit torturously for a whole day while they dried and blocked after I was finished stitching them up. He kept wantting to take them off the table. I had to keep telling him, not yet honey, they arent done. And then finally, I unpinned them, he snatches them, wants them on before I can even get a pic! That was Friday, we were going camping, so he wore them camping. I do have a cute pic of him in them, but no real pic of them to show detail. After camping in them they had more leaves in them than yarn and really need a good washing. But I will get a post pic up some time this week of them, maybe tomorrow. Here is the pic of him cheesin in his new pants all giddy!!!

We had fresh garden peas yesterday with dinner, and my two youngest sons and my nephew helped shell them, here is a great pic of that too!

My dyed cotton!

2007-08-09T09:48:00.000-04:00

So I wanted to try me hand at kool aid dying, I went out and bought like 40 packs of a variety of colors. I have a nice stash of white natural undyed cotton and wanted to dye it. So Im going thru the motions, lovin it I might add. As I am cooking them, they are looking beautiful and such vibrant colors! Then I rinse, and all the color washes out. So, I get online to see what is going on, and learn that kool aid is for animal and protien fibers, cotton is a plant. So, I broke down and bought some rit dye. Now, this may not be a big deal to some, but it is heartbreaking to me. We use NO manmade chems in our lives or household, right down to using cloth toilet wipes, nothing, nada,zip. So, I need to find a natural way of dying cotton, until then I guess I will stick with wool, but I LOVE cotton!!! If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to say so in the comment box!!! Well, here are the beautiful cotton yarns I did dye, the first is the first dye batch, the second is the same dye batch, I didnt want to waste it, so I made a lighter shade of yarn with it. Here, in all its glory..... Next time I will try my hand at "hand painting" got to get the stuff to do it with tho. I am going today to get a Wiltons cake dying kit, I cant wait, dishes be damned!!!

Some new things, and my dyed yarns!

2007-08-09T09:27:00.000-04:00

The first is a shawl for me, I had made one for myself before, but as my previous post said, some hooker stole it from the bathroom while I was showering at the campground. I like this one better anyhoo. I used Lions Brand boucle in Mei Tei, and I trimmed around the edges and neckline with Sari Silk Recycled yarn. You cannot really see the detail, but I st st and every 8 rows I worked in the wrong way to make a variated pattern. I love it! The second picture is my 7 yo ds Thomas sporting his new scarf and hat made from Lions brand wool boucle. I made the hat on mu knifty knitter loom, and the scarf I knitted, no purling. I didnt want to lose any of the fluffiness of the yarn, that is why I did it that way.
The next pic is my sari silk scarf, and a close up of it. I was practicing doing the 3 yo's, then letting them hang on next row. I think next time I do that stitch,I will do the cross overs with them, instead of letting them hang. I didnt with this one because it would have been lost in the yarn. But it is beautiful and I cannot wait to get to wear it!!! Also you may notice that the baby widget is gone, AF visited me today, my first one in 2 and a half years. I AM MISERABLE with pain and refuse to do dishes or laundry... maybe next month will be the magic one!!!

Here are some wips!

2007-08-03T20:24:00.001-04:00

Her are some pics of my current wips. The blue pants are for my 16 month old son, it is just the front panel, I did not knit them in the round, just two pieces separate, then I will stitch them together. I did make a whole sock, but I ended up ripping it out, I didn't like the way it turned out. But, it was my first sock and I was very excited to have actually done it. But I was teaching myself as i was going, and I knew the second sock would look much better than the first. I didn't want to have 1 pretty sock and one not so pretty sock. I plan on going this week and getting smaller dpns, the smallest I have are 5's, and I would like to get some 2's for socks. Using the 5s with Lillies and Cream cotton was a bit bigger gauged than I think I liked.Anyhoo, heres the pic of the first part of Coreys pants. The Spiedie Fest today as well and some of the balloons flew over the field next to us, so theres pics of that too!!!

See the pic? The baby, up there? See it? Huh?

2007-08-03T00:49:00.000-04:00

Ok, I am jumping the gun, I am only 5 dpo, and already have made a baby ticker!!! That is all, I do have pics to put up, but will tomorrow, it is like 1 in the morning, and I really need to get my but to bed. Sprinkle me some baby dust!!!

Part two of my unfinished projects, wips

2007-07-23T10:33:00.001-04:00

Just had to put these in seperate post because it would only let me do four at a time. The first i s the shoulder shawl I am crocheting for my self. It is all being done in Wool Ease by Lion brand EXCEPT for the yellow strip, which is a bit of yellow wool I had tucked away in a ball at the end of the bag somewhere. If anyone knows how to guide me thru this a little, would be nice. For some reason it wants to be round bottomed, kwim? I am decreasing on the ends of the rows and all, but the hang part wants to round out, and I do not want it too. Any ideas?

The second pic is my 5 and 7 year old boys, Joseph and Thomas, sporting the hat and scarf I made for my husband for hunting. It is done in Mohair, which is a bit of a pain to knit with, it knots together throuout the project quite easily. But it is beautiful, and my husband loves how they turned out. You cannot tell by the pic, but it is a camo like color scheme.

Do you find it ironic that I am a vegan and my husband a hunter? I do,lol.

New Knittins and crochet work!

2007-07-23T10:09:00.000-04:00

I havent really finished much, was busy camping all weekend. We stayed at the Chenango Valley State Park. It was great except for the people next to us who had about 15 tents crammed into one site and acted like they thought they were the only people camping there.

Anyhoo, here are some pics of my wips

First pic, the aphgan I am crocheting in squares for my 5 year old son. He chose the colors, but it looks like I will need another skien of both colors to finish the blanket.

#2 A pretty pink white and green hat for me!!! I did this one on a kniffty knitter loom, I love my looms!!! I know its cheating, but I am a new knitter and need all the help I can get,lol.

#3 sorry, accidentally posted 2 of same blanket

#4 The hunting socks I am making on the loom for my husband, using homespun doubled up and it is turning out perfect!!!

#5 A new shoulder wrap for me, someone stole mine while I was showering at the campground, I have convinced myself it was those rude people next to me,lol.

#6 My 5 year old sons Joseph scarf, and soon to be matching hat, I am doing really well changing colors without cutting and knotting everytime. I am using aLions Brand wool boucle, and I love it!!! I am knitting only, not purling, I wanted to keep the fluffiness of this yarn without smushing it at all. I am going to make him a matching hat, and then my 7 year old wants the same scarf and hat, they always want everything matching:)

Well, I have some more stuff, couldnt fit all the pics on here, off to post!!!

Oh, I almost forgot, w are tryingt o concieve! Well, tryint to try to concieve, I am still nursing my youngest son and have not "resumed" any female issues yet, so there is really no telling if I am even ovulating yet. I have ordered an ovulation kit off ebay. Not that I even know how to use it,lol. You would think after having 5 kids I wouldnt need one!!!

Camping this weekend!

2007-07-15T21:37:00.000-04:00

Took the boys camping this weekend. Had a wonderful time. I think next weekend I will take my wip's with me. I normaly dont I have so much to do as it is. BUT, at night when they are all sleeping, I always think "huh, I could be knitting". Started a new scarf project for the boys. I know it is early to start scarves, but I am learning how to join yarns when changing colors without cutting, and knotting to connect, so I am using my kids scarves as guinee pigs,lol. I also finished a hat for me last week, but the baby has hidden it so I dont have a pic of it yet. I made it on one of knifty knitter looms:) Well, thats all for tonight!

My first blog!

2007-07-13T22:08:00.000-04:00

Well, here is my first blog. I am really just trying to figure it out,lol. I will take some pictures tomorrow of the passed 3 weeks work and put them on here. Please remeber to be nice, I am a new yarner and though I LOVE every minute of it, things dont always turn out the way the pattern looks,lol:)

Niki