Wednesday, November 14, 2007

It's Inevitable...

Winter is going to come. It always does. I think it is one reason why I don't enjoy the Fall as much as I could. Because winter always follows!! I just hate to be cold. And I'm always cold. But, each year I finally resign myself to the fact that it is indeed going to come again and I might as well be prepared. So today I got out my winter sweaters and packed away my summer shorts and T-shirts. I fixed a cup of hot cocoa and said...'I'm Ready!!'

Speaking of sweaters, I do have some progress to show you.. but it is not on the Bubbles pattern. After getting help at the yarn store, I still was having trouble with the stitch. After pouring over magazines and the internet, I ended up back at the beginning and cast on the 'Gracie' pattern which was my original plan! I was feeling a little defeated, but better a little defeated than totally frustrated!! As a last resort, I went to the website of the company that publishes the sweater book (Ella Rae Queensland collection Book 7) and sent an email off for 'technical support'. And do you know what? The next morning I awoke to a personal email from their technical advisor who had found a blog that gave a pictorial tutorial on how to do my stitch in question!!! I was so excited. I understand now! So I went online and ordered yarn and am going to cast on that sweater as soon as it comes in. I can't wait to try the pattern now!!


I finished my pair of Fetching mitts that I made for myself with the Wool Bam Boo. I love the feel of them. (As you can see, I really like this color!) I'm thinking I even have time to make a few pair of fingerless mitts for Christmas presents. I may need to try a different pattern, however. (As is evident by my Monkey sock pattern addiction, I do tend to stick to something once I get the hang of it!)



Sumo decided he really likes the feel of these mitts as well as he laid down for a good rub down. He would be happy if someone would just sit and pet him all day long. He seems to have an enormous love tank that needs to be filled quite often. He does settle for sitting at my feet while I knit, however. (Or begging at the kitchen while I cook!)




Remember these? They are the little sock blockers I knit for Kirstin to hang from her rear view mirror in her car. They are temporarily hanging from the lamp I knit by as they are awaiting a new home. So far we haven't found anything, but have several possibilities we are looking at. I think we are going to go with a Toyota Camry. They are such great cars and run forever.









Well, I think I may just make another cup of hot cocoa and grab my knitting, have Sumo sit on my feet and 'practice' for the cold snowy nights that are sure to come. Hmmm, I wonder if I can knit with my new Fetching mitts on?? I'll have to try it. Are you ready for winter?? (Those in sunny, warm places PLEASE do not rub it in!!)

Until Next Time...

P.S. Sumo seems to think I'm knitting the sweater for him! I don't think Steve will let him wear a doggie sweater, but he sure would be cute in one!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I bought that same Ella Rae book a couple of weeks ago after seeing a store sample of the bubbles cardigan. It looks so nice and comfortable. Can't wait to see how yours goes! :-)

Jknits said...

I'm with you on winter! I hate the cold. So I move from Wisconsin to New England? I love the half mits. I'm glad ou were able to figure out the stitch - that's a very satisfying feeling.

monica said...

So glad you understand the stitch now and looking forward to seeing the sweater in progress. Looks like you have a good start the alternate one.

I love winter, I hate being hot. I am alone in this thinking in my house though. 2 of my kids love the heat, and my eldest and hubby would like a controlled 72 year round I think.
At least you have a wonderful, and willing, foot warmer.
Happy knitting:)

Mitchypoo said...

Camry is a good choice. My mom loves hers. Those sock blockers are adorable. I got your package! Thank you so much! Yours will be on it's way Friday or Saturday!

Anonymous said...

don't feel defeated! there's always more yarn and another day. i love that tweedy yarn you're using...

Shelley L. MacKenzie said...

The fetching look smashing! I'm going to have to make that pattern. A friend of mine from here in Korea (a fellow foreign English teacher...which is what the Koreans call us) wants me to make her some wrist warmers because her hands are cold at her school as well. I told her I could probably get a pair made for her. She's going to get the yarn I think...either way I think I'll make her a pair of fetching instead of plain ones like mine.

The sweater is looking nice. I think that colour is going to look great as a sweater.


Happy Belated birthday to your mom!

AR said...

I love that color, too! It is winter here. :( I miss the warm weather. Lucky I have a dog to keep my feet warm, too.

Marianne said...

I will leave you 2 messages, so the info stays separated; I hope that's ok.

Have you tried cars.com? I just played a game, inputting 50701 for the zip code, Toyota Camry, $15,000 max, within 100 miles of that zip code. That brought up 52 vehicles. You should be able to narrow it down somewhat quickly, sometimes by looking at who currently owns it (like I would not want one that had been a leased or rental vehicle, etc.), by the photos online (is there visible damage), etc. You can put in your own zip code, the price range, etc. We used that here in Michigan to get my son's first car in May. Also, I wanted to buy it from a car dealer, since technically, I was buying & insuring the car, even though he was paying me back. If someone runs the plates on it, my name will pop up on it, not his, as that saves a bunch on the insurance for us. :-)

Marianne said...

I love your sweater. And, I am happy for you that you got help from the publisher on how to do the style that you wanted to do.

I freeze in the winter here, too. That's why I am not a huge fan of Autumn, especially once the leaves are off the trees. We won't see leaves on our trees again until May. :-( I bought several patterns from Sheri at TLE (and the yarn) to make fingerless mitts. I'm figuring they should be great for computer work, etc. I will be interested to hear how you liked them for knitting.

I'm really glad that Sumo will lay by your feet and keep them warm. Please give him a big hug from me. My little Lhasa girl will be in whatever room I am in, but she won't normally cuddle much, except for a few minutes at bedtime, or if it is pretty cold outside, etc.

Robin said...

Janice, get some of those Candy Cane Hershy's Kisses to put in your hot chocolate. Yummy. Don't feel bad about the sweater thing. I haven't even tried yet. Did you get your sock club yet?

Unknown said...

Don't worry mom, we still have the Caribbean cruise to look forward to this winter! Can't wait to see everyone for Thanksgiving!

hakucho said...

Your sweater looks great so far and oh, my goodness no wonder you were having trouble with that stitch in question...I never heard of that one. Looks interesting...can't wait to see that sweater knitted up.

You should knit Sumo a sweater for when it gets super cold. I bet he'd love it :)

happy knitting :)

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see your sweater when it's finished. Beautiful color. :) Thanks for posting the k5b tutorial. Very interesting. I have a Camry Hybrid and absolutely love it. I drive 50 miles round trip to work and buy gas about every 2.5 to 3 weeks. I may have to try the fetching pattern. Yours turn out so pretty.
Kristi (queenbee1958 on Ravelry)

rohanknitter said...

Both those sweaters you had picked out were really cute. And I like that color yarn too! I bought some malabrigo in a similar color for a sweater but I can't decide on a pattern. May need to wait till after Christmas anyway!
I've never seen that stitch before,either.
Sumo would be cute in a sweater! My next project is supposed to be a sweater for Max, but knitting for a 9 lb dachshund will be much quicker than knitting for Sumo would be!

ladyoftheloom said...

Janice! I love that Sumo!
If you can do those fingerless mitts you can do the sweater. I love it that you are not giving up on it!
Happy Fall from the Great Pumpkin!