Knitting Dilemma-It's Always Something!

New dilemma! I know that's hard to believe in the world of knitting. Sometimes when I knit, I don't really think about how I'm going to do something before I set out and start on the project. This is where I am with my newest project the Anthropologie Inspired Capelet from Peony Knits. The only size 11 needles I had were 16" cables. Umm...after I began increasing for the raglan increases, I'm quickly running out of room on my needles. I want to hit my head against the wall for not thinking that this might happen. Duh! 16 inches???

I did get some more knitting done from the Mason-Dixon knitting book. I actually took pictures too. I am completely obsessed with this book. I've renewed it from the library to hold onto it a little longer. Eventually, I'll have to have my own copy since I can't keep it forever. I digress! I've finished the burp rag, the bib, and 4 dishcloths. I'm working on the log cabin blanket too. I don't want to post all my UFO's on Ravelry for fear of actually admitting that I have a problem.

Cold + Rain + Wind + Bored Teacher = Yarn Store Spree

Today, I wasn't in my classroom. Instead, I was in a workshop. I was pretty pumped up about this workshop since it was for AVID. If you know me, then you know how much I LOVE AVID! I love teaching it, the kids, and the whole philosophy. I went to my workshop today and before lunch I was pumped, excited, and couldn't wait to try some new things in my classroom. Lunch came and went and we got back to work. Only this time, the session was the most boring and disengaging session I think EVER!

The final 3 hours of the day dragged on and on. All I could think about was some yummy yarn. How nice it would be to go to the Woolie Ewe and buy some yarn and hold some yarn. It would be so nice to walk in and hear the peacefulness and look at all the yarn just waiting for someone to buy it and knit it up. These are the thoughts going through my head while in my workshop. Yes, it was hard to concentrate.

After the workshop FINALLY ended I made my way to the yarn store and bought 7 hanks of Cascade 220 in this beautiful jewel toned teal. In case you're wondering it's color number: 7920. The problem I now have is what am I going to knit with this? I'm going to go and get on Ravelry and try to find some patterns that I may be interested in. The main thing is that I don't want to waste it. I want it to be good. Since it is cold here (well...at least for Texas...57 degrees with rain), I was kind of in the mood for sweater knitting. I'll be sure to let you know what I come up with but if anyone has any ideas, please let me know!!

Late Night Knitting with The River Wife

Have you ever knit so much that you have a sore neck? That's where I am right now. My neck is so sore from knitting and listening to an audiobook. The main reason that I knit for about 9 hours straight stems from wanting to finish the book The River Wife by Jonis Agee on audiobook. I think my couch has a permanent butt imprint from where I've been sitting and knitting.

I had planned to knit on Friday night with my knitting compadre, Rose. However, we went out to eat and had drinks and well you can't very well knit after drinks. You CAN but not well. So, I came home and went to bed. Saturday morning I woke up at 6 AM!! I have no idea why. But once I'm up-I'm up. I couldn't go back to sleep so what to do? KNIT!

I began The River Wife last weekend but didn't finish. Mainly because I didn't sit on my couch the whole weekend knitting. This weekend was different though. After getting into the Mason-Dixon knitting, I've become so addicted to it that I've made 3 washcloths, working on the baby kimono, and also starting the Log Cabin Blanket. Maybe I'll actually run out of yarn and have to buy more(much to the dismay of my husband).

Saartje's baby bootees found a home on Friday. One of the pregnant girls at work was the new owner. Of course, the ones for the twins are now 75% done-the twins are now 4 weeks old. The next baby shower should be in about 2-3 weeks so that will be plenty of time to finish the baby kimono. Oh...and another girl I work with is pregnant. Just like I said in the last post...there must be something in the water at our school.

If you aren't on Ravelry yet...you really need to be on there! I think I mention this every single time I post. It is my newest obsession and I love looking at all the projects. The best thing about Ravelry is probably that it's all on one website. That's the greatest thing!

Ok. Well, since I do have to work tomorrow I should probably log off soon and go to bed. So, until next time when I get the urge to blog-but you can always find me on Ravelry(mandijb)

Mason-Dixon Knitting and Me

At work it always seems as though someone is pregnant or getting married. Maybe that happens to everyone who works at a school. Last school year, we had approximately 4 babies and 7 weddings. I don't think I'm exaggerating too much. With all these births and marriages I felt (no pun intended) the need to knit some gifts. You know how knitting is though. Weddings and births may pass and you may still be knitting away on those gifts. I am determined that this will not be the case this year! But it seems to have already happened. One of the births was 3 weeks ago to twins and I have knit only 1 pair of baby bootees. My only saving grace is that they are premies and the bootees probably won't fit for a little bit. So, I might be safe.

The next two births are in 4 weeks and 8 weeks. The first shower is this Friday so I have to have something for the shower. To my local library I go to get the book Mason-Dixon Knitting. Thank God for this book! The knits are so quick and EASY that I can get some gifts together for Friday and for the shower that follows. Right now, I'm working on the One-Piece Baby Kimono. The best part of the kimono is that it's all in garter stitch!!!! I know some people like to purl but purling slows me down. When you're knitting gifts for people there is no time to slow down and purl! I am also trying the Ballband Dishcloths. Michael's was having a sale on their Sugar 'n Cream yarn ($1/ ball) so I bought a good sized stash. I plan on making some burp cloths, bibs, dishcloths, and bootees. Hopefully, I'll get it all finished. We shall see.

Thank you Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne for Mason-Dixon Knitting!!! I can't wait for the new book!!

I was asked last week to knit someone at work a scarf. A co-worker asked me how much it would cost to make her a scarf. I'm sure you've had this same experience. Little did she know that I really hate making scarves. I actually would rather not knit someone anything unless I decide to knit it for them. I know that sounds selfish but if I'm not into it I won't knit it. I did answer her with, "You buy the yarn. I'll charge you $.10 per yard of yarn I use." She thought I meant how long the scarf would be (about 4-5 feet). I corrected her. She hasn't asked me again so I hope that this was the end of it.

Back to Ravelry, knitting, and audiobooks.

It's Fair Day

Today is Fair Day. I don't mean it's a celebration of Fair Isle knitting even though that would be cool. Fair Day is a day I actually have off in celebration of the Texas State Fair. You all read that right. Schools in my district actually get 2 days off to celebrate the opening of the Texas State Fair. I am not going to complain though because this means that I have some time to spend knitting! I wouldn't mind going to the fair today and eat all the fried goodness but 90 degrees doesn't say fair weather to me.




Today I'm working on the 2nd sock to a pair of socks I'm making. I'm not sure if I will keep them on pass them on as gifts. I'm making them using the elongated corded rib in Charlene Schurch's book Sensational Knitted Socks and Knit Picks Essential Solid in Grass. I absolutely love the feel of this yarn. It's soft and squishy and the color is beautiful. They are definitely greener in person.


I also finished a pair of Saartje's bootees. The pattern is super easy and they are probably the sweetest little bootees EVER! Easy and cute. What else could you ask for?

I guess now, it's back to the knitting and listening to audiobooks. This is my new obsession. Now that I know I can download books to my PC from the library, I'll sit here all day and knit and listen to books. I do tend to neglect other things though. Oh well...it's Fair Day!