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!!!