Saturday, November 17, 2007

A New Set Of Wheels...

Well, you will be happy to know that DD's little socks have a new rearview mirror to call home! We made our final choice yesterday and picked up the car last night after we got home from picking her up at school. We looked on Carsoup; Craig's list; cars.com (Thanks Marianne!) and finally bought one from a local business who we've dealt with in the past.











We settled on a used Toyota Camry. We've had GREAT luck with our other Camry. (Well, until it broke down last week!) They run forever; get great gas mileage; have a smooth ride etc.. It should last her through college and beyond. (See the llama in the background? This is PERFECT llama weather!!)





I've been working on my sweater, but won't post a picture until I can 'WOW' you all with how far I've come. (It's not 'WOW' material yet!!) You will be excited to know that I started another set of fingerless mitts in a different patten!! It still has a cable in it, but only one that goes up the back of the glove. It has a different technique for doing the thumb which I really think is going to work well. I wish I had done them on slightly smaller needles, but they will be great for driving. Thank to Michelle for sending me this link which had a whole list of free fingerless mitt patterns! This one is called Cabled Fingerless. (It's a PDF download from the side of that link).





I continue to have the problem of wanting to cast on projects faster than I can get them knit up!! After recently doing a few more felted bags, I remembered how much I enjoy knitting them. So, I went through my stash and pulled this out to make a Vintage Bubble Bag. (From the book Pursenalities) I modified the pattern some and have to say it's one of my favorites to knit. I hope to cast it on during football tomorrow!







Sumo seemed a little sad yesterday. I can't help but wonder what he thinks about sometimes when I see him laying like this. Does he miss Nikko? Does he think she's coming back? Is he afraid I might get a kitten?

I'll never know, I guess. I just give him all the attention I can. It just never seems to be enough!! (Edit: Steve says he's thinking about when he's going to eat again....)


It is nice with the kids home, because they are able to love on him as well. And I'm pretty sure that we'll all bundle up later and take him for that coveted walk. He really does have it pretty good!




Well, today I start my Christmas baking. I'm going to try and get 3 Swedish Tea Rings made for our family Christmas which we will have in Minnesota in a few weeks. (Which comes with the side benefit of a pan of caramel rolls!) Will make Lefse on Wednesday. Busy week. But I have lots of help, both in making it and eating it. What does your weekend hold? Whatever it is, I hope you all have a wonderful one!

Until Next Time...

14 comments:

Allison said...

I just love those little socks! They are so cute! Funny how your white fingerless gloves are looking like a sock - are you sure you're not trying to sneak another sock in on us??? Happy Belated Birthday to our/your mom! Too funny that our mom's birthdays are so close together!

Marianne said...

It looks like you found a great used car for Kirsten! And, I'm glad that you found a local business to support. That is always best, when you can.

I love your new cabled fingerless mitts and pattern. Thank you for the link, and thanks to Michelle for sending it to you.

I bet your Swedish Tea Ring would be a hit at our house. I want to try it soon. Thank you for the recipe.

Is Sumo eating ok? He could be a little bit sick or something. Or, he could be missing Nikko? Or, he might be missing you, because you have been out of town a lot? It might be that a new puppy friend for Sumo might be just what the doctor ordered. I have heard a number of times, where a puppy friend can really perk up their older dog, making the older dog act years younger.

Anonymous said...

Marianne might have something there. I'm convinced Heidi lived 18 months beyond her cancer diagnosis because Clancy had come to live with us. Heidi wasn't going to let a pesky beagle take her place!
But now it's Clancy with head between the paws. Sometimes it's guilt from raiding the trash, but I think she needs to start the new year with a new friend.
Can't wait to see your sweater!!!

Anonymous said...

You continue to inspire me with your amount of knitting and creativity. How are you liking the Katmandu Aran yarn? I have been thinking about starting a sweater for myself (first one) after lots of sock knitting. Just finished the Knitting Pure and Simple sweater for my almost 2 year old grand-daughter. I'll be driving to Iowa City for Thanksgiving, enjoying my daughter's family there.
Let me know about that Katmandu yarn and I can't wait to see the next post on your sweater!

Anonymous said...

So glad to see that you found Kirsten a great car. I love your fingerless mitts. Yes, I will need to make some. I too have so many things I'd love to cast on...such as the ballband tote and Kirsten's Bag. I have the yarn for each, just not enough time. I'm hoping to make your Swedish Tea Ring this Christmas. It sure looks yummy. Kristi ~ Ohio (queenbee1958)

Unknown said...

I love your fingerless mitts.
I think I like the first ones
best. I am not well, but I
want to make everything I see.
I can't wait to see your new
purse. I see that you don't always
use the most expensive yarns for
your projects and they are beautiful. I saw Sheri today at
the Weaving Department and she was
spinning. She said it wasn't so
good, but I couldn't see what she
had done. You girls have got her
going. She's very nice. Gave me
a big hug. I am getting very jealous of all of you because I can't make what I want. Just like
a spoiled child.

Anonymous said...

my dad had a camry for years. at one point, he ended up getting a mercedes, but after a couple of years he went back and traded the mercedes in for a camry. the dealership was confused-- but my dad certainly wasn't. the camry was the better car. he even shipped it overseas when he moved to hawaii. i think he'd tell you it was a good choice!!!

your knitting looks fantastic and so does that recipe... i love the way they spiral in the pan!

rohanknitter said...

That looks like a great car for your girl, I'll bet she is excited.

As for Sumo, Steve may be right - at least, I've found with all the males around here are, that they are generally pretty worried about their next meal. ; ) (like I ever starve them or something)

The past couple days have me whipped (helping with a huge garage sale and helping mil move her mother) so I hope to do nothing but sit and knit tomorrow afternoon!

Anonymous said...

A camry is a good choice, Toyota makes goos cars.
Good work getting your baking started. I am going to hold off for a few weeks otherwise it is not likely to last until xmas.

hakucho said...

Good luck,Kirsten, with your new car. My son drives a camry '99 with tons of mileage on it and we keep hoping and praying it will last until he gets through school - 1 1/2 more years!

Your fingerless mitts look great...thanks for the free pattern link.

happy knitting and happy Thanksgiving :)

Jknits said...

Who knew there were so many patterns for fingerless mitts? I could spend far to much precious knitting time just perusing them! I love the little socks. What a perfect addition to a new car.

Karen said...

Your new mitts are looking great (I've started Monica's Ariel Mitts in one of the yarns she sent me). You should go ahead and start that new project (you can never have too many going you know...and empty needles are a sin...well that's what I've been told anyway). The little socks look great hanging in the "new" car.

Shelley L. MacKenzie said...

Congrats on getting the new-to-you car! I'm sure your daughter will enjoy driving it...especially having the cute little socks hanging from the mirror!

My friend Tiffany has hinted that she wants me to make her some fingerless gloves...I'll have to take a gander at that link you provided and see what I will make for her (or maybe I'll just try the fetching...). Can't wait to see your new ones all knit up. THey're looking great so far!

SwissKnits! said...

You seem to have a beige theme today... the camry! Looks good!

Your mitt looks great!!!! Again beige...

And Sumo... beige...
Pooo wittle Suuumoooo!! I can just imagine him thinking about rawhide, walks and snuggles...