Road Trip

We are leaving on a road trip tonight. Some of my family lives in the beautiful state of Georgia. It's been about 3 years since we went down so I'm really excited to leave!! We made plans for this trip at the very last minute. We plan on leaving tonight at about 10:00pm to avoid all of the Chicago traffic. I was hoping to leave in the morning so I would have more knitting time!! I have all of my projects that I want to finish sitting on the dining room table.

My Hot Waffle Mitts are almost finished. I've got to say that for my first Double point project this pattern was perfect! The mitts were designed by Anne Hanson of Knitspot. The directions were easy enough even for me!!! If you have ever wanted to try knitting in the round on double points check out her pattern!
My DD also wants a pair so this will be the yarn I am using for her mitts...


It will match her scarf perfectly



Happy New Year to y'all!!!!

Day After Christmas

I just finished my first Hot Waffle Mitt. I learned a lot while knitting this pattern. This is my first project on double pointed needles. I learned some new stitches like M1, CO using backward loop method and picking up stitches. I got my first order from my DD after she saw the mitt in progress. It's not perfect but I am very pleased with my first attempt!



These are a few things that I found under our Christmas tree this year. I was a very good girl!!!

The Best of Interweave Knits




Knitting Little Luxuries



Knitting Never Felt Better


Knitting Over the Edge


Doggy Knits


More Sensational Socks


Wendy Knits



We had a wonderfully blessed Christmas spent with family. I pray anyone reading had a Merry Christmas!

Double Point Delirium

I'm in!! Oh ya...I can do it!!! I've got double point delirium!!! I have so wanted to try and knit with double points. I really don't have anyone that can teach me so I'm on my own. The web site Knittinghelp was just what I needed to show me the basics. I also had a few others urging me on from Ravelry. So Wednesday night I got online to watch the video and the network kept stalling. I just kept trying. I had to rip the first inch and start all over but I did get it. I have knitted 2.5 inches of the ribbing for the Hot Waffle Mitts. I can't even begin to express how excited I am to learn a new skill!!!


The yarn I am using is a super soft "Misti Alpaca" worsted weight. I am using size 5 needles. The color of the yarn is the most perfect shade of periwinkle blue. This yarn is sensational!! I can't wait to get my mitts on these Mitts!!!!

The Countdown Continues

Christmas is one week away. How did it sneak up on me again? Even with an early Thanksgiving. I just can't seem to get everything done that I want to finish. I'm sure that I'm not the only one that feels this way. I took this picture of "My So Called Scarf" sitting on top of the wrapping paper. It's coming along nicely. I think I have a little bit too much yarn. As if you can ever have too much! LOL! I still have about half on the skein with another full skein on reserve. The scarf now measures 22". Sometimes I think I can hear the scarf whispering to me...Let's get me done, I want to show off to the world!! I know, sounds nuts right? Back to reality... I have to get wrapping those gifts. Don't get me wrong. What I would rather do is sit and knit!!! Friday is my last day of work for five, yes count them, five glorious days off!!! My mind is spinning with projects. The scarfs, binding on quilts, cleaning the sewing room so I can work in there, cleaning out my closet....wait, no way can I do that too!! I am not spoiling my time off with that closet project. Better to do that in the spring. You know, longer days and all that. Plus with my allergy to dust... I need the windows open when I tackled that mess!


The "One Row Scarf" is being worked on in between cooking and shopping.It measures 9". As long as DH is with me shopping I can knit in the car. This scaf is so simple even I can do it on the move! Want a great thing! Life is so good!!!

The view from here...........

We were only suppose to get 1"-2" of snow today. Well, the weather man was so wrong and I'm loving every minute of it!! We probably have about 6" on the ground right now. I'm praying we get snowed in!! The thought of knitting and cooking and baking and watching movies and eating popcorn just stirs me up! It would be great to do some sewing too! I know. Sounds nuts right? I love snow!!



I've been knitting the "One row scarf" as I'm making dinner each night. I'm attempting to multi-task. LOL!! I love the way it's coming out. The variegation of the yarn is so amazing. If you look at the scarf you can see how the colors are putting on their own show.

Startitis sets in

I spent part of my day off browsing through Raverly. I saw several projects that I would love to start ASAP. I have to admit I spent a little too much time exploring Ravelry. Man, I love that site! The projects and yarn and ideas are truly amazing! I did decide on a quick project I think I can do quite fast. It's a pattern by Yarn Harlot called one row scarf. I have this one skein of Malabrigo that I can't get any more of. I think it's the perfect project for the lonely skein.

I was also checking out the new patterns that knitspot just released. I love the waffle mitts and hat. It looks like it may be semi easy for me to jump into. I don't have any experience with knitting on double points yet. I thought this just might be the way to ease myself in so I can finally do socks!


Picture from Knitspot

Now I just need to find a way to add 12 extra hours to each day!!! Any hints?

Yarn Distractions

This is how far I've gotten on "My so Called scarf". I did knit about 12 inches so far. Yeah for me..... however, I made an error and have to go back a row. Rip..rip..rip.. This pattern is not real easy to correct when you make a mistake. More of the learning experience!!!UUUGGGGHHHH!!!!It's funny how when I make an error I seem to loose some of my knitting steam. On to some fun stuff.....(to distract me from my knitting inability)

I found A great on-line yarn store. Eat,Sleep,Knit is the name. Love that! I ordered some gorgeous yarns on Friday and when I came home from work Monday I had my package. Talk about great service! I thought I would post some pictures. Everyone loves to virtually stroke new yarns!! So sit back and scroll down........ The first one is Smooshy-Chinatown Apple. Love the carmel color.





Smooshy-Deep Seaflower. I love how variegated the blues are.



Smooshy-Cool Fire. Pinks with a touch of violet.



Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock-Tuscany. I knitted my first wrap with this same color in Lion and Lamb. It is gorgeous!



Cherry Tree Hill-Country Garden. More blues and touches of other pretty colors!!!



Smooshy-Ruby River. This really is much darker than it appears. Violet and purples.
Now all I have to do is learn to knit socks!!!!!!

December snow.....

Wow, I can't believe that Christmas is right around the corner! It seems to sneak up on me earlier each year!! I started to knit a scarf for my daughter. I found some gorgeous yarn by Malabrigo. The colors are purple, green and violet. Absolutely stunning!! The yarn is so soft. My daughter's winter coat is a classic black wool. I think the scarf wrapped around her neck will just sparkle. The pattern I am using is called "My so called scarf". The pattern is perfect for showing off variegated yarns. I found some great help with this stitch on youtube. I probably wouldn't of tried making this scarf if I didn't see this video. Of course I have made some errors and have had to go back and fix. You would think I would've learned not to knit late at night!!


We finally got some snow this past week. I am loving every minute of it. We got snow, ice, rain and even thunderstorms! I dream about the snowfall. When morning comes I race to the window to see how much we have. I think right now we have about 6-8 inches on the ground. Yesterday my miniature horse Minnie was chasing my big horse Bo around the pasture. She was galloping, bucking, rearing and just plain having fun! It is a joy to watch. My big horse gets a little irritated with her.

Tychus Finally Done!!

I finally finished my son's Tychus hat. I made it out of acrylic yarn. Not my favorite to work with. I used Vanna's Choice made by Lion Brand. I have to say that I don't really care for their yarn. Almost every other skein had huge, nasty, unbelievable knots in them that I had to finally cut out. The other problem is how it totally dried out your fingertips when you knit it up. My son has a severe reaction to wool and yes even alpaca. That's why I had to use the acrylic. On the positive side he loves it!

Can you feel my pain??!!!

The Best Ever Pumpkin Soup

I made the best ever pumpkin soup the other night. I have been cooking this soup for a few years. I thought I would share it with anyone reading. I know that I love great recipes. I hope you try it. It is fantastic!!!! I made a big pot and served four people. Everyone had seconds. I had a
small container left over. Three years ago I shared this recipe with a friend. Her husband is a fireman. He loved the soup so much that he cooked it for the other fireman. This soup is delicious!!!!!!


1 baking or pie pumpkin peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks
1 large can of chicken broth
1 medium onion diced
1 c rice
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 c brown sugar
1 stick butter
1/2 c heavy cream

Place pumpkin into large pot. cover with chicken broth and bring to a boil.
once boiling, reduce heat and simmer until pumpkin is soft and tender.
in a skillet, saute onion in butter until golden brown and soft.
add butter and onion to pumpkin.
once pumpkin is soft, you can break up chunks with a spoon or remove it from the broth and pass it through a Foley mill.
return pumpkin to the broth and stir in the rice.
at this point, if the soup is too thick, add water until the soup is a little watery.
this step is necessary because the rice will absorb a lot of the moisture and could burn very easily.
continue to monitor the soup consistently.
add water as necessary to maintain a heavy cream consistency.
once rice is soft, add heavy cream, brown sugar and cinnamon to taste.
serve hot with some crusty bread!

I substituted brown and wild rice bcause I didn't have any white rice left. Next time I make it I will roast the pumpkin in the oven instead of boiling it. When you roast something it brings out the natural sweetness.
It was just as yummy.This is a perfect Thanksgiving addition. I'm sure everyone who likes pumpkin will find it unique and decadante!!

Tychus Hat

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Originally uploaded by barbarino93

O.K. so I started another hat for my son. I'm thinking that this one will fit. It's worked with horizontal stripes. The pattern is from:
www. knitty.com When I found this pattern on ravelry the comments made were how fast it knits up. Well, that's just not the case for me. I'm a slow knitter. Then you have to factor in the mistakes and ripping and I am almost the slowest knitter! LOL. I am not giving up. I know that I will get better the more I knit. It's simular to any new thing you try. Practice makes perfect!!

The no pattern hat that needed a pattern!

I have not posted for a while. It seems as though I keep making mistakes on my knitting. I have to rip, rip, and even more ripping. I did finish the no pattern hat for my son. It looks great. The only problem I have is it's way too big. I even swatched! It reminds me of the kid on the Fat Albert cartoon who had the way too big knitted cap on that covered his eyes.
I put a pot of hot water on the stove and dropped in the hat for about 7 minutes and I think it got even bigger!! Now I am contemplating what to do next. Maybe I will wash it and put it in the dryer??!!
I really think I should change the name of this blog to miss adventures in knitting!!!

Carried Away

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Originally uploaded by

Well,I got a little carried away today!! I decided that my circle wrap that I finished last month didn't look right. Also it was itching my neck too much. One of my friends said "it looks like it's choking you". My husband just kind of looked at me in the wrap and didn't say too much. That's when I knew I had to rip back the turtleneck. Because I still am not very experienced I ripped it back way too much!!! As one row became two. six, 11, there was no turning back....It's wound back into 5 balls!! Bummer right?!! Oh well.. Another learning experience for me. Hopefully I can finish this fast so I cant wear it.
The weather is so much more like fall should be. I spent a lot of time on Ravelry adding my stashed yarn. It was a great way to spend the day off. I also got in some housework too. My horse "Mini" surprised me by breaking through the fence. As I was washing the kitchen floor, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a black and white blob in the yard. She was happily eating grass. I'm sure she loved it because I have had her on a diet. She gained about 50lbs over the past two months. Can you say crash diet?!!! Good thing I was home.

What Georgous Weather!!!

WoW!! I am amazed at the weather we have been having this fall. We still have not even had a frost. This weekend the temperature has been in the 70's. It's kind of hard to concentrate on indoor tasks when the sun is shining and you know the weather is going to get cold!! I did a little cleaning of the garden.....but not really too much. I still have some good stuff growing. I picked all the green yellow plum tomatoes I could find. I hope that they will ripen in a week or so. The golden sun sweet cherry tomatoes are still producing in abundance. I have lots of volunteer lettuces growing also. I also chaned my outdoor pots for the fall. I wanted to add some great color to the patio. We love sitting outside so it's nice to be able to look at natures beauty!!

I haven't done a lot of knitting. I was working on Justin's hat late one night and you know the rest...I didn't realize until two rows back that I made a mistake. I set it down and looked at it for a few days then I finally ripped it back to the mistake. Since my knitting skills are still average ripping was a great learning tool. I like how it's turning out. It looks great on him with his beautiful blue eyes. Of course my head is dreaming with other projects and beautiful yarns. It's just my old job that gets in the way!!!!

Well here's to another great weekend. Take time to enjoy life!!!!

New Blogger

This is my first blog post!!! I can only hope that I am able navigate this system. Please be patient as I learn how to blog!!! Last night I finished my Circle Wrap by Kris Percival:Knitting to Go deck. I added 10 extra rows to make a turtleneck for the wrap. I finished and cast off too tight. I couldn't even put it over my head. Mind you my head is not that big!!! I frogged back and re-cast off loosely. It fits over my head but I 'm not sure that I like it. I'm going to add the fringe which is in a different color and get some comments from friends and see what I want to do with it.