Another knitter in the family

Mr. Aitch and I visited with our son and his family while on our vacation

This was the first time that we met our daughter-in-law in person.  She is a delight, very down to earth, generous, super nice and a knitter.

She and I were both pleasantly surprised to learn that we were both knitters.

When my grandmother taught me to knit, it was (what I’ve since discovered) in the “cottage” style of knitting where the knitter would prop the right needle against their hip/waist/underarm for support and move the left needle.  Circular needles don’t offer that type of support.  Dpns don’t really allow for that either as they are usually 5-8 inches long.  Plus they are pretty thin (US 0-2) and very pointy.  Sometimes I stick one end of the dpn into a wine cork so I can still support the sharp point against my body and not poke holes through my clothes (or skin).  I just need to remember to move it as I knit from one needle to the next.

My daughter-in-law has mastered the two-at-a-time socks on circular needles.  I am a double point needle (dpn) sock knitter, however, I want to learn this technique.  During our visit, she gave me two sock knitting books:

The Sock à la Carte (c) 2008 by Jonelle Raffino, Katherine Cade and the SWTC Staff is so unique. 

The book has 17 cuff patterns, 20 body patterns and 18 heel and toe patterns that one can mix and match to create hundreds of different socks.

Part of the book contains flip pages to design your own unique combinations for the cuff, body, heel and toe that refer back to the directions for each section.

The other book 2-at-a-Time Socks (c) 2007 by Melissa Morgan-Oates explains the technique so well that I am going to give it a go. 

With 17 sock patterns included (and the patterns in the other book), I will have many to choose from for my first pair…just as soon as I finish more on my To-Do list.

Are you a sock knitter?  Do you use double point needles, circular needles, 2-at-a-time, or knit flat socks and seam?

Card carrying member

I’m an avid reader or at least I think I am.

I like mysteries, autobiographies, biographies, history, humor, and classics. I can tolerate some women’s literature and chick lit as long as it isn’t too morose or giddy. I’m not much into sci-fi, fantasy, or romance.

I can read while knitting or walking but I prefer to listen to books when I’m doing those things as I sometimes need to look at what I’m doing or where I’m going.  If the story requires close attention, I just listen and walk.  No lace knitting or counting stitches.

Free ebooks and audiobooks are my go-to choices.  Keyword being FREE.  You can easily for sources in any search engine.  My local library gives me access to many books in the eastern part of the state.  But not ALL the books in say a series.  So I joined the library just across the Potomac River in the neighboring state.  My annual membership isn’t free but at $10, I thought it was well worth the price of admission especially since I can get access to all the books from the entire state.

So now I am a card-carrying member of two libraries and I’m loving it!

Do you read actual in-your-hand books, ebooks, or audiobooks?

Goodbye…

…to 2013.

Hello, Twenty Fourteen!

May your new year be full of joy, health, friendship, love, peace, prayer, thankfulness and comfort.  And finished projects.

I want to be more positive this year, however I need to wrapup last year.  Referring back to my previous post, these are what didn’t get finished for Christmas:

  1. The quilts.
  2. Two of the four pencil/marker cases.
  3. Snowman kits and drawstring bags.
  4. The taggie ball for our baby grandson.
  5. The second slipper.  (It’s finished now but not for Christmas.  It wasn’t a gift so why was I even worried about it?!  Duh!)

On the positive side I did complete two pencil/marker bags and flannel marble mazes (idea from Serving Pink Lemonade) that weren’t on my list.  Extra credit, maybe?  And, of course, all the gifts were wrapped.

Christmas-2013-E&Z

Two box bags, one with a pink zipper and orange lining, the other with a purple zipper and blue lining.   (Even added names to the straps with my new sewing machine!)  The pillowcases that match the quilts.  Six flannel marble mazes using scraps of fabric.  Only three are shown here.  They were actually a bigger hit than I thought they would be.  The marble is contained inside so no worries about losing it or getting into the wrong hands (or mouth) of a baby.  The reverse is printed.

We had a very merry Christmas.  Did you?

Sorry Mr. Aitch.  I’m not showing the gifts you received.

Christmas-2013-all

Christmas-2013-book

Yes, I know I have another sock book that I “planned” on knitting every sock in order but the first sock was so intimidating that I haven’t opened up the book for a long time.  (Purchased in 2010!!)  This one will be different.  I hope.

Christmas-2013-dvd

I’ve only seen Season One so don’t tell me what happens!!

Christmas-2013-calendar

I love these kinds of calendars.

Christmas-2013-bag

My new knitting bag is the Retro Metro from thirty-one.  I think this will be large enough for my travel knitting.

The rest of the gifts were already eaten or in use.

I’ve started knitting a sweater for our grandson’s first birthday on the 17th.  I’m making up the pattern as I go.  It will either be a learning experience or it will be the perfect gift.

How’s that for a positive attitude!

Getting…

gloves

…a grip.  I have taken up quilting and am almost ready to machine quilt my first one.  Question for quilters: Do you wear special gloves to get a grip on your quilt as you maneuver it while machine quilting?

cake

…older.  I had another birthday at the end of October.  Funny how they keep happening year after year after year.  I know age is just a number but I have a hard time telling people how old I am.*  My finite existence is starting to weigh on me.  I’m not as quick physically or mentally.  I forget things so I have to write everything down…that’s not really new but having to go back and refer to my notes is new.  Sleep issues have been a part of my life for 15 or so years.  Our new mattress has helped the past two weeks as I’m getting better sleep, just not enough.  Planning for the future is a real eye-opener.  We’ll need a new roof on our house in the next five or so years.  Do we look at the 20-25 year life shingles or go for the 50-70 year metal roof?  Is adding a craft room in the basement worth the time, effort and expense?  These are things I just don’t want to think about.

pizza

…a chance to goof off.  Last evening I allowed myself to goof off.  I brought home a pepperoni pizza for dinner.  That’s really a big thing for me as I’m not a much of a pizza fan but it was a quick no-brainer option and I actually had some cold paper cash with me.  After washing the dishes and reading a few emails (some I answered, some I did not), I fixed myself a pot of peppermint tea and started to read a book a friend sent me.  Thanks Leah!

tea-pot

*BTW  I’m fifty-eleven.  Ouch.  That hurt.  I need some ice…and an R&C.**

**Rum and Coke