I know it has been a looooog time since I last posted…I am still alive and well. I’d like to present to you not just one…but 2 finished knits. Presenting Rick & his Wall Street Cable vest…


A close up of the neck…

He likes it…he really likes it. He has already worn it twice. This is the first time I have knit a V-neck & picked up stitches. It is amazing how it is done with a nice finished look to the V.

Next up…Marina…

The only problem is I do not have enough yarn to finish the collar. I just ordered one more skein today from Jimmy Beans Wool I really like their web site & they are quick to ship. I couldn’t find the right dye lot…but oh well. Hopefully it willblend enough. I have 4 inches done on the collar & the pattern calls for a 7 inch collar. I’d be happy with 6 inches though. So…when I get the collar all finished, I will take another photo of me modeling her. I decided to go with the brown buttonsbecause I needed to break up the blue color. I love blue & brown together. Let me know what you think. Here is a close up of the button…

I think it is different & I do think it works…after all, it is my sweater & I can do anything I want!!! Right?

P.S. If you look in my gallery (Been there Done that)...all the information regarding the finished project is posted there.

New Project Update…
I decided to knit this beautiful cable sweater next…

This is from Jo Sharp’s Contemporary Knitting…the 2nd book. Donna is going to knit this sweater with me…actually she showed my the sweater. I’m such a copy cat! Actually we both knit our last sweater together also. Hers is called Magenta & she looks fabulous wearing her. Go check it out.
I’m going to use Jo Sharp Silkroad Ara Tweed in the color Licorice #119. I decided that if I was going to knit a long bulky cable sweater, I’d better use a soft comfy yarn & one that is also a pretty neutral color that will go with a lot in my wardrobe. The tweed in this color is very subtle. It has a little burgundy & a few different shades of grey speckled throughout. I have been craving a black sweater & now I will have one.

A close up of the yarn. Here is a photo of the full sweater…

I will leave you (not as long as last time) with some sunset photos…


Oh my…the sky was ever more gorgeous in person.

Hope everyone had a fabulous New Year!!
Have a fantabulous evening!!!

When you are young…time drifts slowly by. As you get older…time starts flying by so fast that you just can’t keep up with it. I guess that’s the case with me. I have been a busy girl lately, as I’m sure everyone is. I have been trying to get flights together for Jordan (son) for aforeign exchange program in Japan. Kansai Gaidai University to be exact. He has been obsessed with going there for a long time. Well his dream just came true. He is leaving in January for LA to visit some friends & is then heading off to Osaka, Japan for 4 months. I’m so excited for him. Then there is lots of Holiday shopping, plans for getting our Holiday party together, etc, etc, blah, blah, blah…

On the Knitting Front...
I have slowly been working on Wall Street. I have 4 inches to go on the front and then I start the V-neck separation. I can’t wait to finish this handsome vest. It is the only present that my DH desires and I HAVE to get it done for Christmas to put under the tree. He is a hard one to get any gift ideas out of.
I also knit up a Chemo cap for a friends relative…

I used Patons 100% Merino wool.
I have not worked at all on Marina since Wall Street has to get done. This is the only gift I’m knitting for X-mas this year.

Workout News...
There is not much to tell you on this front. My back is still hurting enough that I really can’t work out like I was…yet. I have walked a few times…very slow…on the treadmill. That’s about it! I feel so out of shape. I can’t wait till I can start doing my usual workouts.

Heres a photo of our Birthday lunch at Cafe De Paris…

Moi, Heather &Lauren had a fabulous time. All our B-days are in November. Now if only Donna could have been there. She was out of town. We missed you D!

Here are some photos I’d like to share with you…

Our Thanksgiving dinner table…Better late than never

Just a tree in my yard

My gorgeous granddaughter’s…what hams they are.

Another orchid flower

New Orchid buds

A little bit of snow on a pine tree

Thats all folks…have a great night!

Oh…one more thing…
Thank you to all the caring bloggers out there. You take my breath away!

First, I’d like to say thank you to everyone who wished me well regarding my back. I will surely heal more quickly with all of your positve energy!!! I have my good days and not so good days…but at least I can knit now! Plus my DH has been wonderful! Gotta love that. It is pretty much all muscular and I have been getting spasms on and off…not fun. I’m still on a muscle relaxer and an anti-inflammatory. Since I really can’t drive on these…I can and have been knitting…a lot.
Here is my progress on Wall Street…

I just have to do the shoulder shaping & the neck bind off to be finished the back. Then it is on to the front. I figure I’ll give this to my DH for Christmas. The sizing looks good. I’m crossing my fingers though. I didn’t have my needles for Veer yet, so I have started a different project…

This cable sweater is from the Debbie Bliss Simple Living book. I just can not get enough of cardigans. I’m using Jaeger Extra Fine Merino DK in color #986. This yarn knits up like a dream. It reminds me of Karabella Aurora 8, except in DK weight. That reminds me…I need to see if Karabella makes a DK weight yarn similar to their Aurora 8 for future reference. Most of my sweaters I have knit are in worsted and aran weight. I wanted to try something in a lighter weight yarn. It is too bad that Jaeger is not going to be around much longer. At least thats what I hear. Their yarns are fabulous. I just don’t get it!

Workout news...
NIL…I can’t wait to start doing something. I hate not being able to do anything!!!

Here are some answers to a few of my emails...
Brandy...I printed out Cabling without a needle from Wendy’s archive. These are great directions. Good luck!

Diane...My Wall Street Cable vest is from ‘The Best of Knitters Arans & Celtics’

Donna...Regarding Eloise. I think if I used one size smaller needles than I did,  she would have worked…but I like a fitted sweater. Eloise wasn’t way too large, just more roomy than I would have liked.

Have a great one and hopefully I will be all better next time I post!

Here is Wall Streets progress so far…

I feel like this is the neverending vest. I have 4 inches to go on the armholes & then I start the shoulder shaping. I love not using a cable needle for the the cables. I have gotten really good at doing it this way. It is much faster without a cable needle. Now I need to unravel the first attempt at this vest to reuse the yarn.

My DH and I played golf last Saturday. We walked the course. Feeling really good about this, we were on hole #18 (last hole) and I totally messed up my lower back on the tee with my drive. Sunday, I couldn’t even move. I called the Doc & he called in a muscle relaxer and an anti inflamatory. I slept & cryed all day & night. Because of all the meds…Monday morning I was feeling about 30% better. I could at least get up & go to the bathroom. I couldn’t even read or knit. Damn it…it would at least be better if we could knit when we hurt ourselves! I will not be exercising for at least 2 weeks. I want top make sure I heal all the way. Lesson learned...never put off what you can & want to do today…as tomorrow you may not be able to do it. Never take anything for granted…ever!

New Purchase...

Why it’s a new Offhand designs knitting bag. It is the Moss Crewel Zelda knitting tote. I love these bags! All their bags are made with vintage velvets and fabrics. I also have the Zelda Grande! They are very well made with lots of packets & pouches. I was looking for this at Stitches East and Dreamweaver yarns went out of their way to find one for me. Not only did they find this bag for me…they gave me the show discount and did not charge me tax or shipping. That’s what I call fabulous service!!!

The inside has 3 big pouches on one side andv5 pockets on the other side.

Open the Crewel front and there are 5 more pockets, plus the whole front. I LOVE it!!!

Have a great day!

I have been craving to knit one of these after seeing all the very cute ones out there in blogland. I finally broke down.

I used about 1 1/2 balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in color #300102.


I know…my head is slightly chopped off!

I decided that I wanted to add a pretty stitch to the arm edging. This is called the Bead stitch and is from the fabulous book ‘Knitting on the Edge’
The fact is that I really needed to knit something easy and quick as I’m waiting for Donna to return from her cruise. We are going to have a cast on party (a little wine, some cheese & crackers, olives) next week for Veer

Remember this...

And a close up…

I held up what I had knit of Wall Street Cables on my DH & it was way too large. I was making the small (41 1/2 in. chest) The ribbing was way too wide and he likes it to fit a little snug at the hips. So…I just restarted the whole thing. I was pretty aggravated after all that cable work. You know you LOVE knitting when you end up redoing what you have already done, all out of love for the hubby. I’m now knitting the extra small and going down a needle size. All I can say is that it better fit him! I would rather it be fitted that way too big.

I saw this on Heather’s blog and I LOVE it…

Lets see…Kidsilk Haze, lace, a cari…a perfect sweater! I have to knit this one! I can’t wait to get the new Holiday Vogue Knitting.

Well…got to go knit Wall Street to catch up to at least where I was. Have a fabulous evening!

a lot less blogging. I just can’t help myself. There is so much to do in the nicer weather & lots more daylight to do it in. I absolutely LOVE this time of year!!! When winter is here & it gets dark at 5:00…I could easily put on my PJ’s, knit & watch TV. I get tired earlier, but seem to stay up later. In the summer it is…run, run, run, come home & cook dinner, and I have lots more energy. Then all of a sudden…BAM, I’m pooped & go to bed earlier. One reason I’m more tired…I’ve been working out alot. 5-6 days a week. Last week I took 2 private Pilate’s classes for 1 hour each, worked out with weights 2 days, did cardio 3 days & played golf 1 day. I get really tired at night & I have to say I have been sleeping really well from all the excercise & runnign around. Allright now…lets get into the
Knitting News....
I’m steadily working on the Love Vest & really enjoying it…

I have 10 1/2 inches completed so far. At 15 in. I start the armhole shaping. Can’t wait! This yarn is fabulous. In the skein, it looks different then when knitted up. It is much more full and fluffy when knitted up. It is a very odd occurance that I have never experienced before. Have I told you that I really like this yarn?

I got a lovely present from Lolly...

This beautiful, colorful yarn is Woolarina.com Handpaints. It is a superwash sport weight yarn & feels fabulous. Thank you soooo much Lolly. I have been trying to think what to make with this yarn. I think I have an idea. Tell me what you think…Knit up a long thin scarf from all of the yarns that were gifted to me. I would knit different lengths of each yern right after the other until I was satisfied with the length. They are all very different yarns also. Some are shiny, some are fluffy, some are lumpy & some are smooth. It could work, don’t you think?

Knit night Update…my girls & I...


Donna, me, Heather & Lauren. Last Thursday we went to El Azteca (Mexican) for dinner. I love Mexican food. Yum!!! We really got carried away & had 2 Cadilac Margerita’s each!!! Damn they were great! Then we went back to my house to knit. It was another fun knit night. Duh…so what else is new. Donna is going away this Friday so we won’t get to see her for another 2 weeks. :-(
Please don’t get sick of our poses…we are goofy girls & like to have lots of fun! Come join us any time you would like!

Make it a fantabulous week…will ya?

Knit Night Photo Update…Last week…

This photo was taken last Thursday. Lauren, Donna & I went to Don Pablos for some Mexican food, Sangria & Margaritas. Yum! Then we headed off to Borders to knit & chat…though we actually ended up giggling more than anything. This is why…and of course a couple drinks didn’t help…

The new Knitters magazine. Could this mag get any more awful? To top it off they put the ugliest sweater on the cover! Here is Donna & my reaction to this magazine…

What a fun night! Here’s some photos of last nights knit night…

Donna invited us over to her house. She made up a pitcher of Hpnotic martinis to start. For dinner she grilled shrinp on the barbie & made Chinese chicken salad lettuce wraps. It was fabulous

Heather & I…but of course you knew that!
I always look so forward to knit night.

Knitting Update...
I have been so busy that I didn’t get to knit for a whole week until yesterday…can you believe that? I haven’t gone that long without knitting for years. I can’t tell you how great it felt to get some knitting in. It was like I got my fix!! LOL I worked on Wall Street Cables. Have a look…

Have a closer look…

I love the way it looks so far. This yarn (Dalegarn…Tiur) is really nice to work with.

Hope everyone had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend. We had a BBQ at our house & it turned out to be a BEAUTIFUL day!!! It’s been years that it has been really nice for this holiday. It always rains. We got soooo lucky! I will leave you with a couple flower photos…

This is the view on the left side of my house. This picture does not do the beauty of this view justice.

A close up of our Iris’.

Have a fantastic weekend!!!

You know…all this hype leading up to the MD Sheep & Wool…well it’s damn true. I had the best time. It was a beautiful weekend weatherwise. To start the very long & fabulous day on Saturday was breakfast at the Double T Diner. I met Heather, Donna

& Kelly there. Kelly…it was really great meeting you…finally…after all of the fabulous things that I hear about you from Heather. Boy was I shocked when in walked Carrie, Jenny & Anne Marie, Cheryl, Sara & a few others. We talked & ate…


Then everyone (except me…went to my Granddaughter’s First Communion) headed off to the festival. I met them later in the afternoon.

And of course I met Stephanie & got my book signed. Thanks Lauren for taking this great photo of Stephanie & I.

This is Tanya’s adorable little Zira. She is the cutest handmade amimal I have ever seen! And speaking of animals…

This baby Alpaca is such a cutie. Help me!

I’m the MAN!
After the festival we went to Strapazza’s for dinner…

We met up with Kate, her Mom & a friend, Rebecca, Beth, Elisa & Lauren. Here is Donna & I showing off our newly finished Cardigan’s…

What a fabulous day!!! I’m so happy that I got to meet lots of bloggers…but sad that I missed some that I really wanted to meet. Then on Sunday I went with my DH to the festival. I didn’t buy much yarn…but here is what I got…

This is Morehouse Merino. I like that they come in kits. They have beautiful yarn in gorgeous colors. These will knit up to a very lightweight scarf & wrap. Perfect for the warmer weather.

This is Suri Elegance. It is beautiful Laceweight Alpaca. I will probably make some lace shawls with these.
Last but not least, I bought this beauty…

She is called Swan Lake. This is from Golding. It’s great for travel & bringing along on knit nights!
I already can’t wait until next years Festival. I WILL make a point to meet up with lots more bloggers…you can bet on that!!!

Knitting News...
I have not had time to knit too much, but this is what I have done…

Wall Street Cables…also ‘Labor of Love’ for my DH. This baby has 186 stitches cast on just for the back. This sweater will take me a long time as I am knitting a couple other things at the same time.

Now that’s a lot of pics. Hope you enjoyed them!

We are going away tomorrow to Naples, FL with some other couples. It’s golf time & we are going to play 3 days in a row. I’m really looking forward to this trip. I’ll catch you all next week when I return. Have a fabulous week!!