I'm dreaming...

of a new project.



Main Entry: suc·cumb
Function: intransitive verb
Etymology: French & Latin; French succomber, from Latin succumbere, from sub- + -cumbere to lie down; akin to Latin cubare to lie
Date: 1604
1 : to yield to superior strength or force or overpowering appeal or desire
2 : to be brought to an end (as death) by the effect of destructive or disruptive forces



I haven't. Yet. Shhh.socks don't count. I am thinking of this Isn't it gorgeous? Romi, was that you who showed this to me? I adore it. I will be making it in this.

It is color Splendor and I love how bright it is. I am sure I will look jaundiced, but hey, who cares? And besides, I usually work in flourescent lighting, so who the hell is going to notice anyway? :0) Recently, Brigitte asked me about needles I use for Kidsilk Haze. I love the old nylon needles...you remember? The ones you inherited from your grandmother? The ones at every garage sale between here and Zimbabwe? Yeah, those. They have become a hot commodity these days, so if you see them at that garage sale, snap them up. Push down that lady in the corner looking at them and run like hell. They'll chase you for them. I'm tellin' ya, they're hot. Or....did they just chase me because I pushed that little lady down.................I dunno. Try them. That's all I'm sayin'.

Voila! A couple more rows.

At this rate they certainly won't be Christmas presents. It sure is a fun knit, however. The crossed stitches are divine and I think the way that Eunny designed the increases to make the pattern flow out of the ribbing is very clever. All is right with my world when the ribbing matches the design. I don't ask for much. Also, Janet asked about yarn. This is Opal, and it is on the thinner side of sock yarns. I am using 2mm needles, so I needed it. I am a TIGHT knitter. Comes with the personality type........I am not saying it. You can THINK it, just don't say it out loud. Hey, people, I am an OBOIST. What kind of personality do you think I have? ;0) Rhetoricaal question there.

Can't be bothered...

Can't be bothered to even move for food. This is the life. Fritz in the background and Mia up front-as usual. We got Mia when our other cat passed away from complications due to diabetes. Fritz mourned for him and his entire face actually turned white like an old cat. We brought Mia home and he preteded to be disgusted, but his face returned to his natural black color. He still pretends to be disgusted.....but I know differently. ;0)


Here is the beginning of my Bayerische sock from Eunny Jang. This thing is amazingly tiny and very fun to knit though it takes a lot of concentration until you get the pattern down. I had a hard time deciding on color, but finally went with an apple green. I have this thing for that color right now...that and orange. Who'd a thunk it? My two least favorite colors and now I can't get enough of them.




Rheingold is still ongoing and progressing and so is Season. Good thing because I have already spied at least two more sweaters I would like to do. heh

Trick or treat!

Somehow, I always thought it would be much larger.......and not made of canvas...and with a little bit of a garden. So much for assumptions. I do see, however, that it does indeed have many rooms. I did expect that...since that was what I read somewhere once or twice. I do not remember anything about outhouses. I opted out of the free tour and kept the car running since those people seemed to kept in place by something that looks suspiciously like crime scene tape. Somehow, I figured I wouldn't get what I bargained for.


In between the concert and the rehearsal, my friend Elvan and I slipped away to a nearby knitting store. I bought sock yarn. I had already been there the day previously. I bought sock yarn. I started a sock in said sock yarn.

It's going to be this! Oh, Eunny! Must you tempt me with your beautiful designs? I have always had a soft spot for traveling stitches. I bought Uberlieferte Strickmuster aus dem steirischen Ennstal a couple of years ago. It is a three book set written in German about the Bavarian/Austrian traveling stitch patterns. They are really wonderful eye candy books and full of information-if you have a German in the house. ;0) Anyway, it IS

you know.


SoDaWL is moving along nicely. Well, for me, anyway. It's raining today which means there is lots o' knitting and eating of Butternut squash soup going on in this place. Mmmmmmm.

Sleeve Two

Here are some shots of the arm # 2 and my second pair of Socks for Soldiers.



Check out the three needle bind off on the shoulder. I love this bind off.

Making up for lost time

Third post-same day. making up for lost time away from blogland. Voila! One collar. I even tried her on for size, but I looked ridiculous with only one arm and a pointy shoulder. My husband made some fairly shallow Madonna references and ....well......anyway. These purl rows take me forever, but they are worth the trouble. The effect is beautiful. Carrie was just mentioning how much time hers is taking on Mary Tudor. BTW, it looks fabulous, Carrie! Go have a look.

SP 9 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I absolutely hate acrylic yarns. I love anything wool and don’t really have a favorite as I am constantly finding new yarns I like. Right now I am working with some Virtual Yarns Hebridean and some Norwegian Rauma yarns that I really like. I do have a special place in my heart for Kidsilk Haze.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a giant bin that I store most of the straight and circulars in and a little heart shaped box for the double points. I guess that tells you what kind of a ridiculous collection I have. I just hate to go out and buy new needles when I want to cast on NOW!

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting since about 1988 ish. One of my best friends (whose mom is a Master Knitter) taught me the first bits and I picked up everything else along the way, but mostly from books. I guess I am advanced.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Not anymore. I think I will make one.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) Oh, boy, I love just about anything Bath and Body, especially their Stress Relief scent. I was in yesterday for the Columbus Day sale and they have some amazing new cinnamony things. There are not many scents that I don’t like....and they don't usually make those into home fragrances, if ya know what I mean.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Uh, yea, that is a positive. Love Haribo Fizzy Cola and Haribo Bears, Lemon Heads and chocolate. Did I say chocolate?

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I am a spinner and I love to make bobbin lace and tat as well.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like it all! Yes, I can play it on my computer or stereo.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I adore purple. Love purple. Never met a color I didn’t like.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I have been married to a crazy foreigner for about 5 years and we have two cats and two birds...all of whom desire our full attention at all times. :0)

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes, yes, and no. I don’t need any help in making my butt look any bigger. heh heh Did I say chocolate?

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Sweaters, socks, shawls......

13. What are you knitting right now? It’s just embarrassing. Check out my previous entries in the blog.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? You bet.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like circs and double points mostly.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Maybe a year and a half or so? Do I need to really be honest here?

18. What is your favorite holiday? Hmmm.....Christmas or Halloween.

19. Is there anything that you collect? Antique needlework items and old spinning wheels.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I am sure there are, but none come to mind. I have no subs at the moment.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Intarsia.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yeppers. I have a size 8 foot.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 3/30

Victory over Procrastination

Yeah, I know it doesn't SEEM like a big deal, but it isn't "just a sleeve". it is victory over my fear of sleeves. It is one battle fought over the war of procrastination. It is...it is.....uh., it's just a sleeve. I humbly remember I have 5 to go, or 7 if you count Elizabeth.
I am already working the collar of Rhinegold and hope to get the second sleeve going this weekend.

This coming weekend we are having the good fortune to have the host and some of the students playing with From the Top play with our orchestra. I am really looking forward to it. I have always been amazed at what these kids can do and it will be a pleasure to see some of them play in person. It makes me wonder what kind of a glorious career they may have after such great training and exposure so early in their lives.

Thank you for all of your lovely comments about Marcella's shawl. It is truly a beautiful piece of work.

I was successfully killed off in Sock Wars as were most of the players this week. I did receive a great pair of socks, tho, and met a couple of neat knitters. Hey, guys!!

Works in progress-or my not-so-secret shame

So, let's just make this very public. These are my works in progress. Everyone has come out of hiding. Proof of my short attention span coupled with a very busy life. I never meant to abandon some of them...it just happened. I heard the call of another pattern or another yarn and there I was-off to a new dream of a finished object. NOW is the time to buckle down and FINISH, I do so solemnly swear. I will not cast on for Zauberflote until I have at least one finished sweater-not socks, not shawl-SWEATER. And without further ado...here they are, some progress on some:






I recently became friends with a lovely knitter in the Netherlands. I did her a small....I repeat..small... favor and this is what she sent me in return. It is absolutely more gorgeous in person and I can't wait for it to get cool enough to wear. Thank you, Marcella from the bottom of my heart. It is one of the most beautiful gifts I have ever received not only because it IS beautiful, but because of the time you must have put into it.



And here is the Zauberflote that I won't be putting on the needles for a while. :0) It sure is beautiful, though, isn't it? Purple is one of my favorite colors and I cannot WAIT for this one. These colors are LUSH.