The Panthers Game

The Panthers are winning the Giants game!
I have been busy this week knitting slippers for customers! I love to knit slippers. They are quick and to know that someone will love them for years is wonderful. Many times if you knit something for someone it is a 'fashion' item. And slippers are not 'fashionable' they are functional. And they are a wonderful! If you don't have a pair and need one let me know. If you want to knit it your self just remember to follow the pattern---don't think about why you are doing what they ask for just do it.

I am sketching a pattern right now. A cape! Of course. I love capes! You look amazing in a cape. You look fashionable and stylish. Let's just see if I can get the math worked out and actually get a pattern written.

Ok knitters. Call me if you need yarn. I have my stash at the gallery!

Knit on.

Snow?

And we wait to see if it will actually snow in Mooresville, NC. It did snow but now it is rain and the kids are out early from school! So we are off to a movie.
I finished the Cowl for Becky. Now I need to make something for my sister. I am thinking a cowl too but I don't know if she will wear it.
I will take pictures as soon as the sun peeks out again. I hate indoor bad lighting pictures.
Thinking about all my knitting friends and I am hoping that you are having a great knitting day!
Knit on,
Maria

Commission work

Personal projects are on hold right now. I am working on a hat and two pair of slippers for commission! It gives me a solid goal. I will have to hat done today and start on the slippers tonight...that is if I get off the computer!
Oh, the Tuesday night Three Goats group has decided on a KAL. We are going to do the Knitters Brewing Company Mystery Sock KAL. It starts on Jan 15th. We will be adding a topic on Ravelry under our group so you can keep up with the progress there too!
Knit on,
Maria

Knitting

Who has time to knit these days?

Three Goats Knitting Group

Thanks ladies for coming to the house last night. I know that we needed to change the venue for the 'open mic' at the shop. I would not have been able to knit with you if you didn't come to the house. I needed to knit with you ladies this week. Your energy is addictive.
A, I hope that we don't scare you off with all this divorce talk. I don't want that to be the focus of our knitting but sometimes it seems as though it is the only thing on my mind.

T, What color slippers do you want? I have one other pair to make first then I will get on yours.

Once again thanks ladies for keeping me sane!

Millie Colori

I finished my sisters scarf. Two row Millie Colori scarf. She saw it at Thanksgiving and she said that she would like one. I didn't say a thing. I know you are not supposta knit someones present infront of them but I didn't have anything else to knit. Maybe the sun will come out tomorrow so I can take pics.
I moved my yarn to the gallery. Get ready I am going to have a 'sale', I will send out an email but it will be on the gallery crawl night. I have to come up with a way to price it. It will be cash only.
Knit on

two row scarf

I started my sisters Two row scarf. I love to watch the colors develop. I am using Lang's Millie Colori. Right now I am using just two colorways. I might add in an additional colorway...just gonna see how it goes. I worked four rows on my shawl today. I decided what to knit my Mom also. I bought it in Asheville when T and I went up for my birthday. I love that shop, except they tend to have yarn that is really fuzzy. I am more traditional in my yarn choices. They carry good brands.
Well, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I will go to my sisters with the boys. I am hoping everyone will behave. Everyone try to get some knitting in.
Knit on,
Maria

Yesterday

Yesterday was a blur. I was more distracted than anything. I got very little knitting accomplished. I am decreasing on a felt hat. Yes, more knitting for the gallery. That cheap knitting has to stop. I need to push that envelope...push the style and the price point. See where that can go!
And I have got to come up with an idea what I am going to knit my friends for the Holidays. Something snuggly. I know the yarn I just don't know what. Well, that gives me something to search for. Damn, I love the internet! What a wealth of information. And the pictures.
Ahh, yes. When will I see those pictures?

Knit on!

Sunday Knitathon

I have plans today.... I plan to knit. Knit till my arms hurt, knit till my wrists don't want to move, knit till my fingers ache. And with each stitch I will listen. Silence is not a comfortable place for me. My head starts to go in wild directions. I want my knitting to silence my craziness, allowing peace. As soon as I am done typing I am going to work on Icarus. Tony and Dominic are at church and Anthony is comfortable with playing alone.
The weather today is going to be wonderful. Enjoy. OHHH maybe I will sit outside and knit.
Go Panthers!

Smiling and Breathing

Promise kept!

A Pirate, A gangster and a Fairy walk in to a bar....

realize it is too crowded and leave. They hail a cab go to another bar...seeing the line to get in half way around the block decide to go back to the hotel have a drink at the bar, then go to the room and watch the Food Network.

These are the only pictures I got....but rumor has it someone else has pictures. Wonder when I will get to see them?

Halloween in Hot 'Lanta was not the great adventure that was expected.

Thank you

Thank you for understanding.

Work Part 2 revised

Tonight has been harder than ever imagined.
I was glad to see familar faces.
I saw into eyes... and it must have been a reflection of myself. I saw hurt amplified. Is that what my reflection looks like?
I ask that you not loose hope. I have not...yet. If you loose hope then it will be gone. All of my friends please don't loose hope in me.

I hope my notes help.

Working part 2

I made it thru my first half of the day. Went to my appointment. and made it home in time to get the boys off the bus. Now I head back to the gallery in an hour. Let's see if I can smile. I am thinking that I need to keep this blog just to knitting...what do you think?

Working

Today will be a test of my ability to smile thru... the continued chaos that is my current life.
Making it better is going to be a test. A personal test of stregnth of heart, trust, and finding internal happiness. All of those elements must stay in place to make this better.

On a lighter note....I am excited about the gallery crawl this evening. If you have time stop by I am making a new appetizer. I have forgotten the name it has pecans, cream cheese and olives! Food is better with cheese. And Olives....what more can I say? Olive Juice.....with a splash of Vodka! That is just perfect!

Working

Today will be a test of my ability to smile thru....hurt.

Two in One day

I have spent the better part of today thinking, writing and trying to find a solution to a very difficult and heartbreaking problem. I am still looking. I am becoming too tired to think anymore.
I love to hear others be positive. In some small way it lifts me, yet after they are done I fall.
A blanket of fog has settled in my mind and I can not see too far ahead. It makes me wonder if there is even anything ahead. Is there more fog? The end of the road? or just blackness?

I might have to post again today....am I going crazy?

Shop

Well ladies, it looks like the chance of my shop opening is getting slimmer and slimmer (unlike my ass). I can't afford to buy a place. Hell, I don't know if I can afford to rent a place. I know that hour by hour my dream is fading in to this endless rain we are having.

Friday will be nice. The gallery is having their monthly gallery crawl from 6-9pm. Stop by the gallery if you have a minute. You can see the wonderful space Artworks on Main has provided.
Then after a long day at work I will drink a glass of wine, take a bath, and go to sleep.

For those who follow....there is no more hurricane. Just calm after the storm.
As Scarlett O'Hara said "Tomorrow is another day"

pandora

Hope was the only thing left in the box. What do you do when that is gone? That is the question I am asking my self.

What do you do when you hurt the one who loves you the most?

'Look to the stars. Look in the clouds. You will see me'

I didn't know what to title this post so as much of my life it will remain blank.
Here is a little about knitting....

I have been a felt knitting fool lately. I am getting bags ready for the gallery. I need to keep at least 5 available. I finished the clogs and I will be making a color card to take up there so that customers can special order if they want. I can not make clogs to have in stock because of the size problems. I don't know if they will sell but I know that as I am wearing my clogs they are the best thing I have ever knit! I have to start knitting for the holidays after this week.

My silk lace shawl has been on hold AGAIN because of my work knitting. One day I will get back to it. Will I be like Mr. Magorium, from 'Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium'? I will die when it is finished, just like when he ran out of shoes?

I started a shawl last night. I got the book "Crazy Lace" by Myra Wood. I have loved her work and have wanted to take a class from her for years but I have not gotten the chance. Myra is in my opinion the foremost expert in free form knitting and crochet. I have been amazed at the variety of yarn and colors that seem to blossom from her hands. I tend to follow patterns but I have never been too upset when I have made a mistake. I have always found ways to correct my 'mistake' and move on. Never dwelling too much about it. I, as always, have never given it to my artsy- 'crazy' side and just knit what ever. So I will try.

My project: It is from the hand dyed yarn that was given to me from Linda. Ashley got some of the same yarn and she found out that it is a Silk-cotton blend. Who knew? I love knitting with it, so I deep down knew it had to be more than just a cotton. It is a triangle shawl-or mini shawl depending on how much yarn I have. I was going to knit a scarf out of this colorway for my hairdresser but now it will be come a shawl. I will have pictures soon. I need the shawl to get a bit larger to show the pattern.

If you don't know what "Crazy Lace" is I will give you a brief explanation. It is a self help book for those that are pattern minded. Myra allows you to do anything you want to your project and gives you simple but effective guideline to make sure your project turns out as you expected. She gives you the freedom to make mistakes and fix them with out the pain of frogging. At the same time she also says that if you choose to frog then go right ahead. I have just picked a chart out of the many in the book and just injected it right in to the shawl. Not following a preplanned set of charts and just allowing the pattern to come to me as I knit is just plain fun. No matter what chart I follow this project will look good because I am following the basic pattern for the triangle and I am letting the charts come to me. It is symmetrical so this allows my obsessive/compulsive side to rest and my creative side is just knitting with out fear.

Now on to my personal side of this blog...
The last word of that last sentence is my Kryptonite. Fear. It has struck at me again. Paralyzing me. Making me question all that knew. Can I make the changes necessary for happiness? Will these changes bring happiness. Can I let go of the fear and look past it? It seems to be a wall. That is too large to cross. And I can not see the other side. I don't hear anything from the other side, those sounds that I have heard have been silenced by the nay sayers. Again I am talking in riddles but it is easier... it helps me to think about what is inside my head to make it come out on this virtual paper. I think in so many ways the book 'Crazy Lace' will help me over come this fear. To know that I can move forward, that I don't have to frog back---not just because I don't have to but I don't have the option. That something wonderful can still appear, That my life can still be wonderful! That all the mistakes that could not be corrected and rectified will still have a purposeful place in my soul. That is a good feeling.


And some final thought from Jimmy Buffett
Coast of Carolina, License to Chill 2004

'And the walls that won't come down
We can decorate or climb
Or find some way to get around
Cause I'm still on your side
From the bottom of my heart.'

One day Jimmy, I will meet you and I will know what to say.

updating from...

My phone. How cool is this. I am loving my new job at Artworks on main in downtown Mooresville. Getting tons of information I plan on using when my yarn shop finally opens. I am trying to secure a location at this time as well as money. I am looking for a live-work location so that I can still be available for my boys. I have a fellow knitter that is willing to work for peanuts! And yarn of course. I have changed my thoughts about the yarns I want to carry. I want to offer specialty yarns. The kind that make you dream. Sweet dreams.
Soft and luscious. With all the changes in my like yarn seems to be the only comfort that I have. And sharing my love of fiber with other is what I want to do.
Knit on.

Eye Mask

I have no foundation on in these pics. When I do this Sat night the result should be much smoother. And of course, I will get some help with it too! That's what friends are for right?

Just some ideas for my eyes for Halloween!

Wet Felt Scarf

November 7th 1-4pm Artworks on Main

Call to reserve your spot 704-664-2414! All supplies included to make you own wet felt creation. Make a neck scarf! Make a clutch. Bring embellishments or your own yarn to work with. This was made with roving purchased at SAFF! Merino wool and Soy Silk! The shine is from the soy. The colors are so rich and deep. Just my colors! I made this one in just an hour. The class will take longer because we will be doing a little bit different process.

PS. I have no idea why the pic is so small.

New Job

Well I start my new job today.
Come by and visit me at ArtWorks on Main!

Shrunken Jasper

Just a mini update. My beautiful Jasper hats got washed----not the way you should shrink wool, they were run through a complete cycle with no supervision. Note to self: never leave projects in the laundry room, someone may decide to be helpful and wash them!
They will not be hats but they could be bowls! I have no idea why someone would want a felt bowl but I will take them to the gallery. They will not be good for cereal; maybe I will put fruit in them! Everyone remember that you need to supervise your felting process!
Knit on,
Maria

Gray or Grey

How ever you spell it; it is the color of the sky. I can not handle many more days like this. It is 9:15 in the morning and I am ready to go back to bed! I have too much work to do today to actually go back to bed but I can't stop yawning. I had plenty sleep yet I am tired.

I am finishing the duplicate stitch on Auntie Tess's blanket and I need to finish the wrap I started for Tonja. I have yet to write out the pattern....I must do that. I like to write out patterns. Even if no one will ever see it I like to do it.

Saturday is knitting at the Lowe's YMCA! From 1-4pm. I will be at the Y basically all day. The boys have a flag football game in the morning. They won their first game on Saturday and I was so proud at the way D played. He was diving for the flags! There are not many times that you see kids diving in flag football. He exhibited good sportsmanship. He was happy! A on the other hand was having difficulties. He was whining that he should get the ball more. He actually cried! Crying is fine but you need to do it for a good reason. He also said that one of his teammates 'sucks' and then after I told him to be quiet he was pointing out all the reasons why his teammate 'sucks'. I thought I could beat him! His coaches need to talk to that him. That is just unacceptable.

Today:
Tomorrow is Cub scouts and I have to finish the banner! I am in D's class at 12 to help with math. I have laundry and clean up this filthy house! Dinner and showers and to bed. I have already been to the gym and finished up one load of laundry. Sometime I need to knit, and I would like to finish my book. Thanks to Dena I am addicted to the House of Night series. Vampires are just the neatest creatures to read about!

Swirl

My swirl of life has turned in to a hurricane. What could have been a harmless storm is now a category five. Destroying so much. Washing away. Is it leaving a chance for regrowth? or has it stripped away all of the beneficial nutrients required for growth? I slept thru hurricane Hugo, on the floor of a libary in a little town in South Carolina. I can't sleep thru this, as much as I want to crawl into bed and sleep the winter away I know the cold will creep in and wake me. Awake I do not want to be. The day after the storm was beautiful, at least the sky was beautiful. Big clouds still swirling away leaving the sun to shine. Everything else was a disaster. The trees gave way to the wind. The soil gave way to the rain and sea. I am now; all to aware how powerful these storms can be. What will I give way too? The wind, rain, or sea? I should hope the sea. That is where my heart is... in the sea. My soul longs to be by the sea. Hearing the waves crash. Watching the sun glisten. Searching the depths for the beauty beneath. Under the surface the overwhelming silence calms my thoughts. And now on land all I can do is hear my thoughts. Swirling. Deafening. I need to escape to the sea.

Jasper

I am currently working on a hat for ArtWorks on Main using Jasper by Berroco. I forgot how much I enjoyed working with that yarn. I made a vest-rib warmer and I am sure that if worn often it would pill so I decided to make felt hats. I am also teaching a class on Sat ArtWorks on Main. We will be making a wet felt scarf. I am excited! I have not taught a class of any sort is quite a while. I need to do this.

Work on the lace shawl has stopped due to a hurricane in my personal life. One that makes breathing and following a lace chart impossible. I want to finish it. It will be something that will be picked up in my quiet hours to come.

My next knitting deliema will be what to make my sisters and Mom for the holidays. My Mom does not wear scarfs and she feels silly in a wrap. I bought yarn to make her socks...for her birthday. Since that is in 9 days and I have not even thought about them maybe I will make them for the holidays. Now on to my sisters....that thought is painful. One has no idea what it means to knit something for someone...the work, thoughts that are woven in every stitch, the utter love. She might get socks too. At least I think she will wear them. Michelle...she is a knitter and would understand, I just don't know what she would like. How after all these years can I not come up with an idea about what my sister likes! My brain quit working properly last month. I unlike my sister Liz, can not blame it on a brain tumor.

My two closest friends Tonja and Kyla are both knitters. I will be able to come up with something for both of them...what? Cashmere! Cashmere what? Something to snuggle up to, something to keep them warm, something for them to be reminded of how much I value them. Thanks them. Love them.

Whats new

Well not much is new in the my life of knitting. Still working on the lace shawl. I have knit two unusual trees! (pics soon) I am working on pieces for ArtWorks on Main and I am starting gifts for the upcoming season. Don't expect anything but handknit or paintings! I have one hell of a stash to go thru. If you find yourself running out of yarn send me a note I have some to sell.

I don't know how long I can go without talking about some difficulties that I am currently having but I am holding out as long as I can. I am trying to remain silent and see what happens instead of doing what I love to do---TALK. It always got me in trouble in school, talking that is. I run my mouth too loud, too long, at the wrong time and to the wrong people. It has taken me thirty seven years to figure out one personallity flaw. And fix it? Like I said, we will see how long that will last!

Knit on,
Maria

Friends

Thanks friends. I LOVE YOU!!!

Lace Shawl

Still working on 3rd repeat of chart one!
This shawl just may kill me... if my other addictions don't get to it first!

ACE has his official cub scout den meeting tonight. Had a two hour meeting to help the den leader this morning. It was great. I feel much better about scouts now that we had that meeting! Getting ready to make the den banner!

I have failed to work out today :( I can do Wed or Thursday. Two days a week will not keep the pounds off. I swear I don't eat that much to make them add up but yet they do. It must be the age thing...the age thing is causing other problems too. Before I know it I will be sitting in the nursing home finishing my shawl.... then being laid to rest! I never imagined I would be getting old. In my mind I am forever 25 years old, sitting on a beach in the shade of a palm tree, drinking a beer, and knitting. Not having to workout 4 times a week just to keep from exploding!

My flickr photostream is at the bottom of the page! Check out my life in pictures!

Dyed

Kyla and I have been busy. Hours of time have gone it to these hanks. Actually the dyeing did not take long. The washing/rinsing and rinsing/rinsing/rinsing/rinsing about killed me! Linda gave us this yarn and we went to work taking this undyed yarn to create these colorful displays!

We did not test knit this yarn to find a good gauge, we did not measure, we did not consider a project...we dyed! Of course we did not purchase the highest quality dye available on the internet. I went to Michael's and we thru caution to the wind. Squirting and slopping color every which direction! I will say that this mindless color application makes dyeing seem easy. But as you can see we offered the knitter limited options for projects. We will knit this in to something....just don't know what yet. I must have been thinking of my high school colors when I dyed the last picture----East Meck Eagles Blue and gold!

I could imagine dyeing more yarn, actually taking the time to plan out some elements. But right now I have more yarn to knit than I know what to do with. I am lucky to have a stash that takes up my entire office. I have only have 59 projects queued on Ravelry! I have 7 kits. And like most I have yarn that waits to become a project.
Let's not forget I have charity yarn I need to knit!

Kyla, does this count for me to take dyeing off my 'To Learn' list?

Knit on.

Dyeing

Snap Dragon,
It looks, after much research that we can not use Kool Aid to dye the cotton. Since this yarn need to be dyed on Monday I will head to Micheal's to pick up dye there. I can't wait to post the pics of us dyeing yarn. Thanks to Linda for the yarn!

Lace and Art

Here are two recent projects...
My first attempt at a full lace shawl. I have done lace. I have made small things but this one is the Icarus Shawl, made it Claudia's Hand Painted 4ply silk. Beautiful yarn, soft to the hand and the colors muted blues. I had difficulty in the beginning of each pattern repeat. Let's just hope this trend does not continue. I am getting ready to start my third chart one repeat. Kyla and I are doing this as a KAL. I like doing it this way. I stay motivated and I can ask or give help! We seem to be having difficulties at different times which is great because we both don't want to talk when we are trying to fix, find or decipher mistakes.

The other photo is the Three Goats Coffee and Espresso Free Form Fiber Art Project 2009. Kat started this project and is it not flowing very well. All of us look at it with a touch of dread. What do you add to it? But given the fact that most knitters are pattern oriented it is good to step to the dark side of free form.

The Lowe's YMCA knitting group will start off our fall knitting with charity work for Barium Springs Home for Children. Our first goal will be to give one handmade gift to each of the residents. We are in process of getting the number, age and gender of the kids. If you would like to begin and project that would be appreciated. Hats, scarfs, mittens, gloves are all wonderful projects. Make sure they are fun, soft, funky and 'fresh'! We want these kids to know that there are good people in the world and we are just a few miles away!!!


Knit on,
Maria

Hair Cuts

My boys have suffered at the hands of their father. Not violent or verbal abuse, but the hair cut. My children look utterly ridiculous. Happy, but ridiculous. Thank Goddess that we have several weeks before school starts. At least the ultra short sides will grow in. I don't think they would look so alien if they didn't have hair that grows in dark in spots and lighter than others. They both have areas that look like there is no hair. There is hair it is just finer and lighter. Very bizarre. At the bottom of this page you will see the flickr photostream with before and after pics.

Several people have noticed that I have not been adding pics of knitting, nor have I been talking about knitting too much. I am in fact still knitting. I have just begun a KAL with Kyla--- a lace shawl none the less. I have been doing commission work and will take pics before I deliver them.
I have finished knitting my Sasha skirt. I need to weave the ends and wash it. Something strange has happened to my Sasha--- it has shrunk. No it did not felt, I know this because it is make of Linen. I am hoping washing it will take it back to the original length. Other wise I am cutting the under skirt and adding in some length.

Knit on,
Maria

Oh, well....

Many times in my life I have read, especially non-fiction, and I am moved by what an author has to say. I hear their words and internalized them. I find ways that their words apply to my life then, I ponder, reflect, meditate and I try to act. Some times these actions are by trying to make changes in my self. Sometimes these words I feel apply to my family or friends and I pass that information along. Well once again this has happened, and I am passing it along to you. Martha Beck wrote 'The Woman Who Fell to Earth' for The Oprah Magazine December 2007. (Here is where I will answer the question 'Why on earth are you reading a December 2007 issue of The Oprah Magazine? ' The answer; I left my book and my new National Geographic Magazine as well as my ear phones at home and needed something to read while I was on the elliptical machine at the Y.)
The focus of the article is failure. The big F word in my life. The other big F word is Fear. Add them together Fear of Failure. This is what stops me from trying so many things. Failure is paramount to success. Everyone has heard that Thomas Edison failed 1,000 times at the invention of the light bulb. Thanks Thomas for trying again. Martha tries to convince the reader that failure makes you stronger and better. To do that you must "Let go of the 'Oh, no!' and embrace 'Oh, well....' then, what ever door opens, walk through it." I have read this and I want to be that person... but, can I?
I am not type A personality. I was not a goal oriented person. Even thought I knew that I wanted to be an Artist I never was able to give in to Art. I always knew I needed to pay rent instead of buy paints and brushes. I knew that I needed a job to to that. I never let my life suffer because of Art. And therefor I never failed. My senior art show was the only showing I have had. Which, to be quite honest showed no depth to my ability. I limited my works to safe pieces that would make everyone happy, my professors, my parents, and guests. The gallery was quite boring. I never take my art to extremes and they feel incomplete. I know I could push myself to create wonderful pieces of art. I stop. I stop my self because of fear. Fear of failure.
I stay just inches away from creating a work that is meaningful because if I do and I fail then??? I don't know what would happen because-- I have never tried. I am going to try. I am not trying to say that I have never failed. I have just never failed when I have been fully committed. This is one of the things that I think will raise me to a greater understanding of my self. Trying. Actually trying. And I am committed to trying again. Lets just see where this takes me.

Knit on.


P.S. Dear Husband, If you read this I am not talking about our marriage, that I am one hundred percent committed to success, as you well know. And watch out I may convert the dining room to a full on studio. Will the dining room table fit in to the living room? I Love you!

Beach

These are some pics from a recent trip to Murrells Inlet to visit my family. Below is Dominic and his boogie board, Anthony playing mini golf and my dad enjoying his King Crab Legs at this favorite restaurant Gulf Stream.
















These photo are from Anthony while we waited for our lunch at Greg's Cabana Bar and Grill. They do have wonderful hamburgers. If you make it to Murrell's Inlet, SC any time soon they are a must try!

Packing

The boys and I are off on an adventure! Going to grandma's house---let's just hope we don't run into any big bad wolfs! They would have their hands full with us!
I am sure that I will finish my Shasha skirt. Start Cochella. And finish two commissioned pieces. Not too much to do in a few days, I just need grandma to step up to the plate and take control of the boys!!!

Why?

What do you do when you want to call a friend that is no longer a friend? To make matters worse is that I don't know why she is no longer a friend. I have asked and I have not gotten a response. What a difference a year makes between friends. Last spring.... working out, coffee shops, lunches, play dates, drinking at our favorite watering hole. This year nothing. Last July fourth.....friends. Actually, my best friend in Mooresville. This year nothing. And Why? Why the change? I know that if we were truly as close as I thought we were; then we could discuss what happened. Alas, that is not the case. Well here is a quick letter to my friend. I know this post is far from normal. I needed to get this out. This is my closure.

Dear Friend,
I miss talking to you. I miss our workouts. I miss heading to the coffee shop. I miss boat rides with the kids. Didn't we plan trips together with the kids??? What about the girls weekends that never happened? Do you miss these things? I would love to be friends all I need is an explanation. Just be a friend and talk to me. My friend, I know that you will not read this. But if by some strange chance you do. Call me if you want to talk. I would call you but I have tried that already. This week has not been an easy one and I needed to talk to you.
Forever Your Friend,
Maria



Knit on,
Maria

The base and bottom ruffle of my Sasha skirt is finished in Navy. I frogged my bind off because I wanted the skirt a touch longer. I am now working my way up! The next color is Grape. I was hoping to finish this long ago. Now I am pacing my self, to a slow and steady finish. Next will be Cochella. My Ravelry queue is getting longer and longer. I know that I have many lace projects listed, I do not intend on doing all of them I just can't decide!

This came to me from a long time friend...

Thought for the day:

Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented immigrant" is like calling a
drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"

Thanks Angie R. for the truth that makes us laugh.

You will not go blind....

I bound off the stitches and you will not go blind. I can still see. I have finished the yellow blob and I will take pictures soon.
I am now full time working on my Sasha. In a lovely array of purples and handpainted linen. I will be traveling to Ponte Vedra, FL soon and I have all intentions of finishing it while there and starting a new project. I might be crazy after the trip since I will be traveling in a 15 passenger van with 5 kids! Goddess give me strength or really good earplugs. If you hear of a North Carolina woman arrested for failure to stop for a blue light it will be because I either could not hear over the screaming in the van or my earplugs worked too well. Also don't send bail money I could use a vacation!

Binding off 950 stitches

My Sweet Dominic. This kid can have a face of an angel!












Anthony's end of the year Party! Colors everywhere!






Anthony and Pop at the Father's Day Celebration. Tony was out of town and could not make it, so Pop came and it made Anthony VERY Proud!






In my world of Knitting: Is is possible to go blind binding off too many stitches? We will see. This process is taking forever.

What can a book do?

I am not a fast or efficient reader. I must read each and every work. Many times I reread details several times. But when I find a book I like I tend to read obsessively. So two nights ago I picked up my latest book, Friday Night Knit Club. It had taken me a while to read this one. I am not too thrilled about how quickly the changes from scene to scene happen, although now that I am three fourths thru the book I am use to it. I read several passages from the book and they hit home with me. It made me question if I can be a better me, mother, stepmother and wife. Can you be a better me and be a worse wife? I don't know how to be anything other that who/what I am. I have thought about this a lot. Can a fiction book truly change your outlook and deeply change who you are? Do you really want to change? I am hoping with the help of wonderful friend and a bunch of knitting together that I can come up with an answer.

May 27th

We have field day today and I am two colors from completing the largest project I have ever started. I hope to submit the design for publication if it gets done and I get the pattern proof read. Oh yea I need to take pictures. I guess I will do that on my Friday field trip! Here is just a sample of yellow. Bright yellow.

Teeth

Dominic had two teeth pulled out yesterday. I don't know if I fully understand if it was necessary at this time since the roots had not even begun to dissolve. Do you see those roots! I got dizzy and thought I was going to throw up! What a brave boy. This morning he was telling Anthony that it did not hurt.

Today I am going to run errands for the PTO and my family, then I will return home to mow grass and then the boys are off to baseball practice. Busy, busy, busy. No Gray's Anatomy so I should be asleep early. Yea right, I am working on several deadlines. None of which are getting done now because I am blogging!!!

Knit on,
Maria

Mini piece of Heaven on Earth

The new Mini original glazed Krispy Kreme.
I would be happy eating one of these a week for the rest of my life. Thank Goddess that there is not one near by. Actually I would love to have a KK near by. Someone please put a KK in Mooresville, NC. Please!





These are pics of my work in progress, Lil Maria's curtains. Aren't these just fun? Don't the colors scream teenage girl? I have had fun making them. All I need to put up the valance and add the final trim to the curtains. I have no one to help me hang them at the moment. I am going to ask Dena to stop by and help tomorrow. I doubt that the final product will photograph well since the lighting is not the best in her room. We shall see.

Miss me?

I will be writing tomorrow and I will have pictures. Oooooh!

April 28th

My Grass Skirt for the Jimmy Buffett concert April 21st 2009.
My beautiful Monkey Socks that Kyla knit for me.
I don't have much to say today. Time to put needle to yarn and see what happens.

Jimmy Buffett

Oh Kay. Here is the deal. I am going to Buffett tonight. That is a fact. Half of the original group is still the same. Me, my sister and my BIL. The others have changed. Kyla is now going in place of my husband. The other two tickets have remained unclaimed. I had originally offered them to someone and yesterday I found out that they could not go. I asked someone else---nope. I have asked my other sister and that is who we are waiting on a response from. If she is a no go I have one more person and then it is up for grabs from anyone that wants them and can meet me at Verizon. Damn, this is tiring. All I want to do now is make it to the parking lot and have a beer! It is only 66 outside and breezy. I hope it stays warm tonight. I have no idea what to wear. I want to wear leggings but I think that will be cold. Of course if I drink enough beer I will stay nice and toasty warm!
The grass skirt is done with the exception of a pink flower. I decided to take pictures at the venue as to give its true effect. I actually had a dream the other night that Jimmy saw the skirt and liked the effort so much he asked me to go to the Raliegh concert and to Key West. Wholy cow! We talked on the tour bus just like he shares his stories in his books. We flew to Key West (Actually he flew the plane I just rode with the band), I met his family. I vaguely remember a dog. Does Jimmy even have a dog? Some of you may know that meeting Jimmy is on my 'bucket list'. Wow. Meeting him because of my grass skirt!?! That has to be double on my list.
I guess I need to run. I have to pack chairs, Leis, blankets, coolers, CD's. Lots to do. And of course I need to pack some knitting.
Knit on, Parrotheads!

Two in One Day

It has been a while since I posted and I realized that I failed to thank Kyla for starting to make me a pair of socks. I was shocked and amazed when she even suggested, I was astonished that she cast on, I was joyed to try on the first pair and watch her kitchner stitch it off! I watched her cast on the second pair and get fast to work. I watched like 'non-knitters' in awe to see the work progress quickly on those little metal double pointed needles.
Kyla Thank You! I am looking forward to seeing the second pair and wearing them with respect! Thank You.

Pollen

Then green haze that blankets the South has arrived. This means that many are sneezing and wheezing, and to those that are I am truely sorry. I am also sorry that I can not open my windows lest be bombarded with the spores.

While knitting at Three Goats Coffee and Espresso two weeks ago Kat asked if I knew what Shrinky Dinks were. This of course made me laugh since as a child I played with Shrinky Dinks and I tried to get my step-daughter to try them. When my SD and I tried them several years ago I saved two and have these wonderful pictures to share. One I was going to use as a zipper pull for Dominic and the other was a sweet little frog. Why a frog? I have not a clue. I failed to add holes so I have no clue what it was to be or if I just forgot. One thing I do know is they have been in my jewelry drawer for at least 6 years!



I have photos of my Garter-Banded Vest, finally. Both Dominic and Anthony took pictures for me. As you can see we are having nice weather. Gone are the cloudy, foggy, misty days we have had. I like the vest. I was disliking it beacuse I was dreading the sleeves. I think that the size will work good for a different vest with the addition of some waist decreases.

I know many of you are awaiting pictures of the 'grass skirt' but until I finish and attach flowers then I think pictures will be useless.

On another note the Lowe's YMCA knit day scheduled for April 18th has been cancelled due wholly to Healthy Kids Day. We will meet again on Thursday April 23rd 6pm. See you then.

Knit on.

Charlotte Observer Article

For those of you that don't get the paper or don't get the Neighbors of Lake Norman section here is the article that came out on Sunday March 29th.
Join us on the 3rd Sat and 4th Thurs of the month!

On to knitting; the 'Grass Skirt' has been knit and I decided that it needed beads to weight down the fringe. So off to Michael's I went. I picked up 3 differnt kinds and I will work on them as soon as I am done here. I also will be crocheting and knitting flowers.

On to Pictures; none taken. And the clouds have rolled back in today and they may stay around for several more days. We will see if I can take a decent indoor pic.

Knit on,
Maria

Fog

I feel like we live in the Pacific North West. Fog, rain, cool. It is enough to make you slip into a coma. I might never get to take pictures if the weather doesn't let up.
Tony update: He made it thru surgery just fine. He had a hard time waking up but he is cruising now. He slept good. I didn't. My dreams have had me running marathons, going out to dinner with my parents, caring for sick kids and buying my sister a porcelain elephant. I was busy last night. The night before all I could dream about was scrapbooking.

Now on to knitting...
Several of us met at the Lowe's YMCA last night. Tommy brought his frog check out his blog here. Everyone was knitting foot wear. I felt kind of left out but since I don't knit socks I didn't take it personal. I did not stay long because my in-laws came by to stay with Tony but I did get to show off my grass skirt. Which I started in the waiting room. WOW I love the Berocco Comfort yarn! A soft easy to work with Acrylic Nylon blend. A solid fabric is created when knit with needles suggested and a nice drape when knit on a larger needle. Comfort is just nice to knit with, Berocco also have Comfort DK, Baby, Chunky and Sox. I see me placing an order soon! I will also use Comfort when I begin 'All Smiles', a new pattern.
Tonja called to let us know that she has finished the baby blanket and Frosty is no longer with us. Well only part of him remains. See March 16th post. All she needs to do is weave ends and it will be ready for the shower on Saturday.

Grass Skirt

I am embarking on a Parrothead adventure! With the up-coming Jimmy Buffett concert I must knit something. And if you noticed the title of this evenings blog it will be a grass skirt. Berroco Comfort worsted weight is the yarn of choice in color 9752. I would call the color deep green. I will be adding flowers to add additional color They will hang from the 'grass'. I will be taking photos as soon as the clouds and rain drift away.
Don't forget tomorrow Lowe's YMCA knitting.
Knit On.

March 24th

We celebrated a wonderful anniversary yesterday and Anthony's birthday! I see the years passing quicker and quicker. Tony suggested that each year on the boys birthday that we sit down and look at their albums I have scrapbooked for them. I think this will be a wonderful new family tradition! The night before their birthday chatting and enjoying the past and writing about the present and future for Mom to scrapbook! I am thinking that I will begin a yearly knitting for the boys. I am not sure if I should limit what I knit them for their birthday or if every year I should just make sure that I knit them something. Toys? Amigurumi? Bookmarks? Scarfs? How much fun will it be in 30 years when they can look back on all the knitting that I did. Laugh at me. See how the fiber trends change. Colors change. Think back to fond memories of watching Mom knit 'their' item, or be surprised by what they get! Yes, two more traditions for the Campagna family.
I took pictures that I will have to post later. The camera is in the car right now!!!

Spring

Arrived at 7:44 am! I am glad to see mother nature doing exactly what we expect her to do. Sunshine in the spring. Today is not as warm as yesterday but still it is beautiful.
I have a quote for all to enjoy today.

'Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience.' -Emerson

This same sentiment was expressed in yoga this morning.

I doubt I will be writing too much this weekend. I am scrapbooking all day on Saturday and Sunday we are meeting with family to have a birthday lunch for Anthony.

Beware the Ides of March

The Ides hit yesterday when several friends met for a 'quick' knit session. Five hours of fun and frolic! Yarn was a flying. We discovered things about each other, ourselves and random people that sat around us. For example one man and his two children and his girlfriend.... Don't stay together. The girlfriend hates your kids. We all noticed that. The girlfriend didn't even try to act like she cared about the kids, so cut your loses. For everyone's sake. Think about it. They were only in Panera for 30 minutes or less and we figured it out!!!!

People look at you like you are an alien when a group knits in public places. I heared more people talking 'amongst themselves' yet loud enough for us to hear, saying things like "they are 'yarning'". What exactly is Yarning? The act of yarn? Let's see what the experts have to say about yarn.

(Thanks to www.m-w.com for the following)
Pronunciation:\ˈyärn\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English gearn; akin to Old High German garn yarn, Greek chordē string, Latin hernia rupture, Sanskrit hira band
Date: before 12th century
1 a: a continuous often plied strand composed of either natural or man-made fibers or filaments and used in weaving and knitting to form cloth b: a similar strand of another material (as metal, glass, or plastic)
2: a narrative of adventures ; especially : a tall tale (a roaring good yarn)

Yes, in fact we were yarning. We were yarning and knitting.
"'Frosty the Fiberman' became a yarn told for generations past from mother to child in a time honored tradition at coffee shops around the world."

We saw the happy accident when a lap blanket goes bad.











We also saw what happens to a baby blanket that gets frogged. Boy do people stare at you then! Frogging worries others. They could just not let that go by without direct questions. "why are you doing that to all of your hard work?" they questioned. Not truly wanting the answer. 'Well let's see. This is a baby blanket that got out of control by the addition of hundreds of extra stitches.'
Let's just call him Frosty the Fiberman. With the addition of Kyla's sock-in-progress as a hat he looks perfect!


One thing we know for sure is that Dena finished M's hat! It looks great on T. I just think her head is too big.


Thanks for the laughter!
Knit on

Loopy Ascot Pattern

Yarn Requirements for Ascot:
140 m of any Boucle type yarn, worsted or bulky weight
Needles: Use needle size recommended for yarn. One set of straight and one double pointed.

Yarn Requirements for Scarf:
350 m of any boucle type yarn, worsted or bulky weight yarn.
Needles: Use needle size recommended for yarn. One set of straight and one double pointed.

Example yarns:
Bernat Super Stripes 100g, 166m
Bernat Masala 100g, 141m
Berroco Trilogy 50g, 74m
Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakhan 50g, 70m
Alchemy Pagoda 40g, 167m

Loop Stitch

Right side row: * K1 but do not drop st from left needle, bring yarn between needles to front of work, take it twice around left thumb and back between needles, Knit in same st, allow st to drop off left needle, on the right needle lift the first st over the second st as if to bind off. Repeat from * until all stitches are complete.

Loopy Ascot

Pattern Notes: There are two methods to making the keyhole loop at the end of the ascot. The three needle bind off method is described below or you may decide to bind off all stitches and sew bound off end wrong side allowing enough room for the Loopy end to pass thru. The choice is yours.

Cast on 15 Stitches
Row 1: Loop stitch to end.
Row 2: Knit
Repeat Row 1 & 2, 7 times
Row 17: Knit Loop stitch but only wrapping yarn once around thumb.
Row 18: Knit
Row 19 (decrease row): Slip stitch knitwise, ssk, knit until last 3 sts, K2tog, k1.
Repeat row 18 & 19 once again (11 sts)
Knit all rows (slipping first stitch knitwise) until 25 inches from beginning of decrease or desired length.
To make keyhole:
Go back 6 1/2 inches into scarf, on the wrong side, pick up 11 stitches with dpn. Don’t get worried, just pick them up! Use 3 needle bind off method with the 11 stitches picked up on the dpn and 11 live sts to make keyhole loop.
Weave ends. Wear.

Loopy Scarf

Pattern Notes: Loopy Scarf is just an extension of Loopy Ascot.

Cast on 15 Stitches
Row 1: Loop stitch to end.
Row 2: Knit
Repeat Row 1 & 2, 7 times
Row 17: Knit Loop stitch but only wrapping yarn once around thumb.
Row 18: Knit
Row 19 (decrease row): Slip stitch knitwise, ssk, knit until last 3 sts, K2tog, k1.
Repeat row 18 & 19 once again (11 sts)
Knit all rows (slipping first stitch knitwise) until 44 inches from beginning of decrease or desired length ending with wrong side row (remember that you need to add the other Loop Stitch section).

Loop Stitch and Increase Section:
Increase row: K1, Ktfb, knit to last two stitches, Ktfb, K1.
Next row (WS): Knit all stitches.
Repeat last two rows twice.
Next Row: Knit Loop stitch but only wrapping yarn once around thumb.
Next Row: Knit all stitches.
Loop stitch section: Loop stitch to end.
Next row: Knit all stitches.
Repeat last two rows 7 times.
Bind off. Weave ends. Wear.


All rights reserved
Cables Yarn © - Maria Campagna
Copyright laws apply.
Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited if used for distribution. (You can copy if you need to enlarge or if you need to write on it.) Cables Yarn©- Maria Campagna designs are not to be knit for resale, give all you want. Yarn requirements are approximates and may need to be adjusted.
Maria’s Designs assume that you know basis knit and crochet techniques as well as basic abbreviations. Please me at via email at mvcampagna@yahoo.com for questions or contact your local yarn shop. Buy from your LYS. Buying their yarn allows the owner to provide you with support! What a wonderful relationship!

Trying to work out the kinks

My kinks today lie within the computer world. PDF files. Http links. I have little idea what all this means but I am attempting to have my blog more 'user friendly'. If it does not accomplish this I am sorry. I have spent hours working and learning.
Let's see if this links to a pdf file. Loopy Ascot.
OK. Breathe. I swear I could scream! I need to link a pdf file and I have no clue how. It should be easy click on a link and a pdf file pops up. Crap. HELP!!!

The snow is almost gone

I have pictures of our snow day!

Look at the beautiful handknit hat and sweater keeping me warm. I didn't want to overdo the knit look so I added the fleece scarf.

My boys riding on their Grandfather's sled! They didn't have to go far to have fun either. Over forty years of fun on one sled! I guess sledding is one of the forever favorites. I have no idea why it looks like we are playing in the dark it is 8am! I am glad we got the snow. I have been saying for months that we would. I even bought the boys snow boot. They work great. Gotta love Lands End!

It should not be too much longer and it all will be gone. As I type I can hear the runoff in the downspouts.

I can't write about knitting right now because what I am working on is to be submitted for publication and that means no talking about the piece. And everything else just is in the back of my mind. Maybe I work on my sweater tonight. Actually my MIL took my boys for the afternoon, I will work on it now.

Vote for WWKIP

I have added a poll! Please give your opinion. I have time to decide but I want the word out by May. We need to get Knitters and Crocheters alike to come together. If you have another suggestion please feel free to comment to this post. Make sure your suggestion is a location where we would have indoor and outdoor access, in case it rains. Also we need to have access to bathrooms! And coffee helps---maybe just caffeine.

Another shipment .....

Of caps leave to Duke University!
I know these are a lot of photos but so many people helped and I wanted to make sure everyone's work is seen. Thanks to everyone!!!

I want to say a special thank you to Mary Jane for a donation toward postage.












Don't forget....
Tonight is knitting at Lowe's YMCA at 6pm. Join us!


I also want to give a special thanks to our models. I know the photo shoot in a difficult location!
















That is a table full of hats?