blanket

Just a quick note. I finished crocheting my first blanket for my youngest daughter. I had started it in January, and basically had it done in about 3 weeks, except for 2 sides of single crochet, which I did tonight. Why I didn't finish it much earlier, is beyond me! I will have to check my horoscope, and find out which planets were in retrograde (ha, ha.)

P2K

Back from Vacation

We just got back from a week long vacation from visiting family on Cape Cod and Nantucket. It was fantastic. We had great weather, wonderful company and a lot of time to hang out and not worry about anything. It really was a terrific family vacation. I don't think my girls really slept until today. This morning my little one (who is almost 15 months old) slept until 11:30 (after having a snack at 6:00 am - she has been running her little self ragged!)

Coming home is usually tough, but not today! I received a great gift from my "blue pal." Cass from Shut up I'm counting. She was so thoughtful! I was definitely spoiled! I love the yarn, especially the bamboo (which is the single skein) I've got to find a good project for it that shows off the colors! I also love the stationary. THANKS CASS!

I did get to do a fair amount of knitting this week, and my carpal tunnel is definitely better. I have been changing around the yarns, and trying not to knit with cotton for too long a stretch. Although, I did get a lot of work done on my cousin's scarf, which is in a cotton/silk blend, but it is not that wide, so I think the constant turning helps give my hand a rest. I have also been better about doing my stretches. I have a great book which gives great exercises. If you have problems in this area, this is a great book to try. I should be blocking the scarf tomorrow. I'll write more about it then.

All the best,

P2K

Random thoughts

Today I heard from Cass who received my swap items for the blue exchange. She seemed really pleased, which is great. I had a really fun time picking the stuff out, so I'm glad she liked them. I did include something with sugar, and then read that she doesn't eat sugar - ooops!
Today was my last day of school, which was very nice! My students left in the middle of May so I have been just surfing the net for a few weeks. This is the best feeling - all of you teachers out there know exactly what I mean. That feeling you have on the 1st day of summer vacation. Ohhh it is so full of potential! Don't get me wrong, I love teaching, and I love the kids, but I ABSOLUTELY ADORE summer vacation. I had 4 kids come see me today, so it was great to see them. I had such a great group of students this year. I teach 125 kids, and this year there wasn't even one that I couldn't stand. (Let me tell you, most years there is at least one!) I'm a very lucky person!
We had a busy weekend. I threw my husband a 40th birthday party. We had about 40-50 people here, and it really was great. I cleaned by buying 10 MORE Rubbermaid tubs, and putting all of the random stuff in them. I think emptying the bins is going to take me the next 2 weeks! Knitting has slowed a little due to carpal tunnel. It isn't awful, but I think my tendons need a little break.
P2K

Random Thoughts

Last night I was at knitting, which was always a lot of fun. The founder of Yarn Safaris was there. My friend and I really want to go on one of her trips. They sound like so much fun. Peta arranges a "field trip" for fiber lovers. They go to a festival, or to yarn stores in an area. She also charters a bus so everyone can knit and chat. My friend from the group and I want to go to the Rhinebeck festival next year. It sounds overwhelmingly fun!

Speaking of a lot of yarn, Island Yarn (which is located about 1 mile from me) is having a 50% off sale. I don't have to tell you that I have gone crazy. But it is all good. I bought enough for about 4 adult sweaters and 2 kid sweaters, plus about 3 pairs of socks and another odd ball or two (don't worry, this was over 4 trips.) and I think my total cost so far has been about $275.00. Not bad at all! I should be busy for quite a while!

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My buttons

You will notice that I have buttons now, instead of yucky boxes with "x's" this is because of my husband! He is an electrical engineer (he designs robots) and he knows how to read the code. Of course I felt so dumb when he pointed out that it said "URL IMAGE HERE". (tee hee). I guess this is the 21st century equivalent of the knight in shining armour and the damsel in distress. Ahhh romance!

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Virtual Vacation questionaire

1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why? I have travelled around a lot of the US, and like the uniqueness of all of the regions. I have never been to Oregon or Washington, and I would like to go to see what it is like there.

2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why? I would like to go to Greece, or the Amalfi coast in Italy, both because of the water. I also would love to go to Japan and China because the cultures are so rich and different. Denmark is another country I would like to go to, because I have never been. I would also like to go on a safari in Africa.

3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries? Yes - the US and parts of Europe

4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it? I felt that Costa Rica was pretty exotic when I went there. I also really loved Norway, Sweden and Finland when I went there.

5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why? My husband and I went to Italy in 2000 and had a great time. We spent a few days in Rome doing all of the ruins and touristy things. Then we relaxed at a beach community which had very few American tourists (if any) and then we went to Florence, and went to more museums. It was a great combination of learning, soaking in the culture, and relaxation.

6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain.
A little bit. We live right outside of Boston, and so we some times have friends that come and we go on a tour with them. It is also great to go to the sights now that we have kids.

7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker? I like museums, but I am a definite beach bum! I am NOT an amusement seeker!

8. What's your favorite type of yarn? I like yarns that have some "give" like wools or sythetics that have some drape.

9. What's your least favorite type of yarn? Acrylic

10. What items do you like to knit/crochet? I mainly do things that you can wear - sweaters, socks, hats etc.

11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation? Usually a sock and a sweater project. One that is stockinette, and one that is complex.

12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet? I've done a lot of cross stitch, needlepoint and some beading and paper crafts.

13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise) soy

14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite? I like most colors, especially those that are on the blue - ish side. I don't really like oranges, or avocado green, or mustard yellow

15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)?I like them both

16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know? I can't think of anything

P2K

Baby blanket again.

Last night people at knitting were asking me about the blanket that I made. The post is here. We had a great group last night. We meet at a library and get a lot of new knitters. It is great to see how fast people pick up knitting. I must say, I am a fine teacher of psychology - I am a BAD knitting teacher! I don't have words to describe what my muscles are doing. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I don't really know my left from my right. My daughter thinks this is funny and that I'm joking. Unfortunately I am not. My husband got me a GPS for Christmas. It is a life saver, but even with that, I still get lost on occasion.
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Knitting ADD

I have been working on lots of things, and not completing anything! I don't seem to have the attention span to keep working on something until it is finished! Perhaps I have a fear of finishing? I'm not sure what is going on, but here are some updates. The first is my dollar and a half sweater. The back is almost done - we all know how much I love backs! I'm thinking that the fronts and the sleeves will go rather quickly, because this back really has.

I also decided not to rip out my "socks that rock" sock, so I did finish one, and am working on the other. They are very thick, but the colors are beautiful. I may order another skein of this weight to make a hat and mittens for my daughter.

The final thing that I have pictures of is going to be my first foray into design. I have had this Fiesta boucle for quite a while, and I want to make a tank top out of it. The only way to make it without it being obscene is to knit it on size 2 needles. Well that is not going to happen. So I bought some yarn to double with it, but I feel like it hides the beauty of the yarn. I tried a little bit of lace, and then some other stitches, which is why the swatch is so funny looking. But one day perhaps I will find the right use for this yarn. However, this is where the ADD comes in! I have no idea WHY I am so concerned about this. (I have spent hours swatching and pouring over patterns, and I haven't come up with anything yet.) You would think that I don't have anything else on the needles. THIS IS SO NOT TRUE! I haven't even photographed another pair of socks that I am making or a tank top that I am sewing together.

Life besides knitting is fine. I am trying not to buy yarn for a while. My stash is quite large enough already. I am counting down the days until school is done ( 9 more school days.) I am very excited about this.

Thanks for reading.

P2K