Derek & Amy's Bear

Here is Derek & Amy's Bear for their new little addition, Tyler Richard. The pattern is from Sandra Polley's "The Knitted Teddy Bear". It was Red Heart Aran Fleck and he's adorable.

More picures HERE.

Tara's Greenie Cable Beanie

Finished! Tara's belated birthday present. Pattern free online at The Stitch Cafe. Yarn generously donated by my little sister, Holly. [p.s. thanks lady!]. Red Heart Brand, Giant Multicolor skein, Color 4040 Cabana Print 4ply held 4 strand throughout. I look mad tough with a beanie, by the way. More pictures --->HERE

Melissa's Baby Chunky Hat

I in my idiotness didn't take any pictures of Melissa's gift before I sent it. Even more in my idiotness, I thought I sent her the package containing such said gift. I bragged to her about how I finished it early this year for her for Christmas and then I left the package in my trunk thinking I mailed the thing on a Friday after work. Can you say vacation? Anyway, this is a picture of what the Tahki Stacey Charles pattern looks like. I used a similar brown yard that was not as chunky as this, but it turned out really cute. Maybe if I'm lucky, Liss will model such said gift and send me a picture for you all to see.

The Bruce - Victory at Last

It's finally done. A year and a half later it is done and it is beautiful. It's over 7 feet long and cozy. I finally finished it over Christmas break in South Dakota. Victory is finally mine and it's super, super warm. Yarn: Lion Brand Home Spun in various colors Design: My head Needles: 10 1/2 circulars that were very, very long. I must admit that I did a dance on the last stitch and yes, I looked like the complete nerd that I am.

MORE PICS ---------> HERE

Brit's Brown Felted Clutch

Finished after six months of waiting for beads.
Pattern: One Skein Notions: JoAnn's beaded trim Yarn: Paton's Wool in Brown

One Skein's Felted Clutch

Oh holy cow. Does anyone know how hard a new felter has to work to actually drop a finished piece sans felting into the washing machine? I could write for ten minutes on the saga itself. Well, it's finished. My first felted piece and she is beautiful. Enjoy.

FELTED CLUTCH PHOTO GALLERY HERE

No wrapping, no muss, no fuss

I have found the perfect gift for me! At Elann.com, the coolest yarn store ever!, you can give gift certificates to my account (michababy1@ hotmail.com) by clicking HERE. You simply register yourself, enter my email, and I than I get to think you are indeed the coolest person I know and knit until my fingers fall off! How cool is that? There is a god! Sorry, but $2.25 hanks of wool make me crazy excited! DAD, ARE YOU READING THIS???

New Projects Finally- One Skein's Felted Clutch

Between painting the house and trim on the windows and regaining feeling in my right hand, my knitting has been put on the back burner for a while. It shows, too. Yesterday I knitted 3/4 of my felted clutch project from my new book, ONE SKEIN, and realized I had the wrong needle size and guage. Izzy at least helped by gaurding my project. Too bad I had to wrestle her for it and rip it out and start over. I did almost complete another one last night and I hope to have it completed sans felting this evening, pending no other disasters prevail. LOL. Good luck to me!

Mommy's Surprise - Finished at Last!

After a long intermission and break from knitting (mandatory just for reference), I have finally finished my mother's day gift for my mom. I know it's June, but I hope it is still well recieved. It's a slightly felted variation of Jana Trent's bag with Loom Blooms. It turned out fairly well I must say. I think I may make myself or some other unsuspecting victim, er friend a new gift! I hope she likes it!

Started: About a month ago

Finished: About a month too late

Yarn: Wool Ease in Heather (one skein)

Flower: My own creation from my stash

Full photo shoot HERE!

UPDATE TO SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE

If you want to recieve updates emailed to you when they are updated on this site you can subscribe to this web site. Simply enter your email on the right hand side. You will receive an email from FEEDBLITZ giving you the details of the new post.

If you already are a subscriber to Knitter Nerd, our feed has changed from BLOGLET to FEEDBLITZ. Your new updates will in an email form from FEEDBLITZ. Please email me michababy1@hotmail.com if you have any questions. Thanks! - Michelle

Charlotte Dolcetta Lime for Lacey

I must really love my girls, because they both have gotten new "gifts of fun" from big sister in the last month. I don't think i mind much :o) Here is Lacey's new favorite wardrobe item. It comes in handy reading Harry Potter (ask her). Yes, I'm a little lagging in the progress department lately. Sorry goes out to those who were looking for new stuff to peek at!

Pattern: Charlotte By Rowan [getting use out of this pattern for sure]
Yarn: Sensations Dolcetta in Lime (Lacey says YEA!, it's her favorite) Doublestrand throughout shown here and it has turned out very summeresque over a tank top!
Started: March 2nd
Finished: March 6th
Finally sewn together: Um, April 4thish?

More peeks of this Charlotte #3 HERE!!

Charlotte for Holly

Started: February 25th

Finished:March 2nd
Pattern: Charlotte by Rowan
Yarn: Lion Homespun
Colors: Tudor & Baroque
(Doublestrand througout)
Modeled by: Coppertop Jane

View the full Shoot of Charlotte for Holly HERE

Can you spot the real me?

My Charlotte by Rowan Knits

Finally something for me. I haven't knitted anything for me almost a year. Charlotte (click HERE for pattern) by Rowan turned out beautifully. I used a bit thicker yarn than called for in the pattern, but I'm in love. I have started another one for my sister Holly. The poor girl just had her car totalled in an accident and needs a little pick me up. Her's is also turning out beautiful in purple blend. Rowan Knits Number 37, Charlotte, Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Charcoal. More pictures of Charlotte HERE. P.S. It even compliments my sweatpants on a chilly day. Who wouldn't love that?

My Sweetie & Me

Our new mug shot. LOL. Taken last Friday at a wedding dinner, I must say we are the epitomy of either very dapper and smug or just plain crazed. Enjoy!

Melissa's Super 70's Scarf

This fits my girl perfect. Sense of flair, a little 70's, perfect for owl necklaces with amber eyes, which believe it or not, Melissa DOES already own. One knitter nerd tag and its off to California for better things! Vintage Kentucky Brand Cotton Rug Yarn from thrift store! 18 rows, knit stitch in colors: Copper, Avocado, Oatmeal, Pudding, and Chocolate. Ok, now I am hungry...

Sandra Polley's Thomas

Started: January 9th, 2006

Finished: January 22, 2006

Total Length/Height: 10"

Thomas was a treat to create. With his scarf in tow, he's ready for the 11 degree weather we have today and has found a new home atop my desk at work. He's been learning many new skills including holding down important papers, but mostly he stares at me all day, which is actually starting to freak me out, come to think of it.

MORE PHOTOS HERE

Polley's Knitted Heirlooms

Sandra Polley has created a variety of knitted bears and toys in two books titled The Knitted Teddy, and The Knitted Teddy Bear, which I now own. I was fortunate to get a Barnes & Noble Gift Card from Mike's sister, Heather. It went to fantastic use. These bears are easy and Sandra is a genius. I highly recommend both books if you are an avid knitter or need a quick project or gift. I am a HUGE fan and so are family and friends already borrowing my copy. (laughs) If anyone on your birthday, christmas, or holiday list knits - don't say I didn't give you a great idea!

KNITTERSREVIEW.COM REVIEW:

I was feeling stressed and grumpy the day this book arrived. But within just a few minutes of opening the package, my cloud had lifted. Since then, every time I look through this book, I can't help but smile.The Knitted Teddy BearThe book lives up to its title, with 12 different patterns of knitted teddy bears. All the bears follow a traditional teddy style with subtle and unique modifications.Each bear has a name, such as Thomas, Robert, Christopher, and Rosie. The loving and compassionate photographs make you feel part of a secret teddy bear world.Abundant VarietyAlthough there are 12 patterns, each bear often has multiple personalities. For example, the sweet little bear named Thomas wears a knitted sweater, jacket, scarf, jeans, and hat to school. But when soccer practice arrives, he changes into his sporty attire complete with a player number on his hat and sweater.My favorite couple is Christopher and Rosie, with their tall goofy bodies with long arms, short legs, and matching comfy buttoned overalls.And then there's Ralph, the well-fed construction worker whose generous belly protrudes over a pair of droopy pants held up with a little tie belt.

READ MORE HERE

Trevor's Gift

A gift for my dear friend Trevor (so he didn't have to steal another scarf from me).

Yarn: Lion Brand WoolEase ThickNQuick/Fisherman
Size 17 Needles/Knit&Stocking Stitch
Pattern: Yarn Market Men's Ribbed Scarf
Started: December 25th, 2005
Completed: January 1st, 2006

Dogs in the liquor cabinet again...

My Little Super Hero

Name: Strawberry Pink
Hero Type: Good
Special Powers: Turning household items into useful props
Special Talents: Jazz hand manuevers
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Battle: Kicking Glinda the good witch's rear
Weaknesses: Tomatoes
Distinctive markings/knowns: Always dons a tiara
Last seen: Skipping towards McDonald's with wand in hand

Christine's Gift

I made this, but there is no proof! I forgot to picture it! OOPS!

Yarn: Patons Pebbles/Moon Stone
Size 15 Needles/12 Sts. Wide/Knit & Stocking Stitch
Started: December 22nd, 2005
Completed: December 24th, 2005

Peggy's Gift

A gift for my Aunt Peggy for Christmas. She just loves purple and me. I'm so lucky.

Yarn: Sensations Angel Hair /Purple 231
Size 12 Needles/20 Sts. Wide/Knit&Stocking Stitch
Started: December 20th, 2005
Completed: December 23rd, 2005

Heather's Gift

A gift for Mike's sister for Christmas.

Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun/Prairie
Size 15 Needles/12 Sts. Wide/Knit Stitch
Started: November 30th, 2005
Completed: December 23rd, 2005

Lacey's First Viking Game

Ah, sister rivalry...

Finally a Finished Hoody...

Finally a finished hoody for Baby Dominick John Zattler. Congratulations to my friends Suzy & Jason. It took long enough, but it turned out beautifully completed with blue dog buttons and my signature Knitter Nerd tag. Mission accomplished.

"The Bruce" Scarf

I finally started a new project. It's abstract, elegant, understated, sophisticated and probably my most favorite project yet. Best of all, it's mine unless someone steals it from underneath me. Let them try.

Stole took a demise.

I am sick of that thing. It's giving me nothing but a green headache. It's made its way into a ball of yarn for now. Stay posted.

Square Stole

So yesterday in my "power lounging mode" I started my Square Stole Project. I'm working on the pattern that has been stored in my head forever. It's got an alternating square pattern that carries over a bit on the opposite side of the work. It's turning out to be somewhat of a challenge, but hey, I'm up for it. I'm up for it especially after I ripped it out and started it over about 5 times yesterday and then muttered something that would have your kids putting on earmuffs - bring on the squares!

Hoody Victory!

One completed hoody with binding, button hole strip and button hole binding - minus buttons, homemade label and um, seams. LOL. And let me tell you that a yarnover is not exactly easy on the first try. It seems that "yarnovers" or YO is used to make the button holes on this thing. YIKES is all I have to say. I must have tried about 3 times to make those darn button holes and all I had was a mess. Somehow I figured it out though, so here you have it. Victory less a couple of details, but this lovely project will be meeting my seam sewing and button sewing fingers very shortly.

New Project for My Board

I came across this project book at the Yarn Cafe a few weeks back from Tahki Stacy Charles. I LOVE this company. They have the most beautiful patterns. Next on my list, this little cardigan number, marked simply #17. I found some Caron yarn in Taupe I am going to use to make one. I found it at Joann's Fabrics when I picked up more yarn for my baby hoody project. It's just a softer 4-ply yarn with a rugged feel. It's 4.99 for a pound, so if I don't like it when I finish it, who cares? Oh and of course I used those annoying little 40% off coupons, so essentially, it's going to cost me a cost of the two snickers bars to make this puppy. Not bad for my frugle rear. Not bad. And I'll never have to tell people that either. Or at least the ones who don't read my blog.

A Hoody with A HOOD!!!

Can you believe it? Yea, me either. My baby hoody has a HOOD! I started the hood for this beast on Friday lunch before I had an MRI. I knitted a row then put it away. I picked it back up on Saturday and worked on it a great deal while watching the friends play poker at my friends Robin and Ian's house. I picked it back up on Sunday and finished the hood with a vengeance. I unfortunately finished the skein of yarn that I had, too. With only ten rows left to create the button hole band and the button band, I was super bummed. It was victory waving in front of me and I could taste it. Almost.

Severe Craziness

Tada! Told you they pictures were coming soon! Today I shall find that energy to build a hood. If you built it, they will be warm. (Sorry, full of movie lines this week). So life with ferrets is pretty much hilarious, but takes some getting used to new pets in the house. I've been keeping so busy lately, that I don't think I notice much that they are around. Except of course when they dive in my knitting bag and pull out my yarn or walk by and chomp on my toes. THEN, I notice. LOL. I wonder what my Mom will think this weekend when my sister and I show up. Her house = 2 more sisters, 2 more dogs, mom & dad. Our additions = sisters 3 & 4, dogs 3 & 4, and ferrets 1 & 2 and a partridge in a pear tree. Oh, she's in for a treat. Good thing she REALLY does love us or we'd be in a world of trouble.

Finally A Nibble!

Finally a post! I know it's been over a week and a 1/2. I apologize to my growing fan base. I've been battling some medical stuff lately that has taken my focus away from knitting and even a little every day life and placed my focus on my MS blog journal. I with gusto (of course I still have gusto!), announce that I have done it! I finally finished sleeve #2 today! I also looked the part of the pattern with the hood directions REAL HARD. I know, I should have started. I am just happy that I have something to present to you avid fans so you don't uprise. Pictures coming up soon, I promise. I have to find some batteries because my camera just died. Isn't that just my, or your rather, luck?

My Old Friend Mel

My dear, dear friend Melanie at her wedding on August 20th, 2005. She is now happily married and a stay at home mom! I don't see her nearly enough, but that is life. I miss her though!

Meet Diesel & Turbo

Meet the twin additions! Turbo (on the left) and Diesel (on the right). So far, Lacey and I have got the following profile information logged into mental note: Turbo - likes under the couch, don't know what he does under there, but he likes it, likes Lacey's white socks, bath #1 not such a big hit in the shampoo department (Johnson's baby makes 'em smell pretty), but will swim around the tub, likes slow exporing, rastling with the smaller dog, Isabelle, and loves plastic bags - they are good fighting partners. Now for Diesel's highlights: He is the quick explorer, loves climbing into my shoes and has been under the gas stove already (big no-no), doesn't really like any part of bath #1 at all, Turbo will bury himself in the dogs toy basket. Both will do the "ferret dance", remove their bell collars without a sound, are held pretty easy, and like antagonizing my bigger dog Neige with the "hide under the furniture game" and haven't "bitten" anyone, per say, more like playful nibbles. One has the litter box thing figured out and the other has not, we haven't figure out which one yet as of now. They both are daily getting more exploratory and comfortable and they are QUICK learners. They both figured out how to get out of the box from PetCo in about 5 minutes departure time. They are awesome so far, so I guess there isn't anything not to love. They say you must have one BIG sense of humor to own a ferret and I think we must be crazy for having two. In the end though, don't we all go crazy???

Progress & New Additions!

Tada! Here's the product of my hard work. A baby hoody for a one armed baby. Kidding. Sort of. It happens in places like Chernoble (or at least I heard anyway). Ok, enough about one armed babies. Started finally sleeve #2, but haven't gotten too far this week. It's been filled with lots of surprises and changes. I welcomed three, YES THREE!, new additions to my cute, little condo since last Friday. The first being Peanut, my next youngest sister. She finally graduated from college (MSU) and by finally, I mean her exhaustion, not mine. She moved in Friday evening and has finally settled into a place of her own where her belongings are not in a closet that is 3x5. [I'm sure she'll point out all the highlights of college living in a full thesis, if you like that sort of thing, just ask her]. She's pretty happy about that, strike that - ecstatic that her toothpaste and underwear don't share the same abode - and I'm happy to have her here in the cities with me. I think the mother hen thing just shined through a little bit. The next being two little furry creatures adorned with the names Turbo and Diesel. Two little ferrets. So far, so good. Oh yes, there is a lot of love in our house and let's hope there is a whole lotta patience in there somewhere, too!

Tuesday Universal Answers

Answer #1. It's that way.
Answer #2. He went that way.
Answer #3. She went that way.
Answer #4. Ha, good one buddy.
Answer #5. He did it.
Answer #6. She did it.
Answer #7. It was that nerd.
Answer #8. Look over there.
Answer #9. It's around there somewhere, look harder.
Answer #10. No way do I look like that moron.

Baby Hoody Progress

Here's a quick update on Operation Baby Hoody. So far so good! I completed the front right piece and front left piece this weekend. It only took about an hour and a half for both. I'm starting the sleeves today at lunch. More to come this week! Only 2 sleeves, the hood, sewing together, and the botton hole finishing left! P.S. I know I've posted up Suzy's Baby Hoody, but she saw it at the yarn cafe, so I guess all's fair in love and war now! LOL.

What you want a slideshow??? Ok! [Click here for Slideshow]

Operation Weekend Fun

So Crissy's birthday party was a success on Saturday that we attended and a bunch of fun. Crissy & Robin made homemade stohli dohlis for the occasion (yum!) and they were nothing less than delicious. Earlier that day Crissy and I took a shopping excursion before the big shindig and it was really tiring window shopping in 90 degree heat. We decided to take a quick nap in Linens & Things. Boy did we get a dirty look, but hey! It's hard being a shop-a-holic. The Yarn Cafe on Friday night, I might add for me at least was a blast. Suzy, Svetlana & I had a great time. [NOTE: They serve beer & wine] We didn't drink, but with all the wonderful yarns, service, and things to peruse, we were all yarn drunk, so to speak. Big kudos to Michelle, the owner for making us feel right at home. I must note also that Suzy & I taught Robin to knit this weekend. She's doing great & practiced all day yesterday at a house showing (she's a new & budding realtor: Go Robin!) Oh, and we finally got that picture of all of us lovely girls together!

Dad & His Girls

Here's a little snapshot of Dad & my sisters right before we left the wilderness! (LtoR: Tara, Lacey, Dad, Michelle, Holly, not pictured: Dopey & Sneezy) P.S. Lacey is still the "favert" in this picture. Dad loves us all the same though, just ask him!

NEW LOGO Test Drive

And so it's almost done! A few more tweaks and there you have it - The new "Knitter Nerd" Logo. It only took all of my lunch and a little talent, but here it is. [Ok, it took some photoshop as well from some genius other than I, happy?] Hope you guys like it. Well I'm off to tackle some manual labor here at the office and then off to the knitting nerd circle I've started. Anyone care to join?

The Yarn Cafe
July 29, 2005 6:00pm-ish
www.yarn-cafe.com

Have a great weekend everyone and hopefully by Monday, voila, baby hoody! Big shout to all of you who were inspired this week to create blog/web pages. The latest friends to shout at: Colleen at Cole's Blues. and Angela at The Albros. Well I'm off! Have a great weekend everyone!

Baby Hoody Sneak Peaker

With some hesitance, I'm posting up a sneak peak of the hoody for those of you who are the curious fan type, lol. Not too much to see right now, but you get the idea. I've had so much energy today that I woke up on my own at 7:00am. Mornings and I do NOT agree, but apparently today we were on a first name basis. I was at work by 8:20 and I don't work until 9:00, so I guess you could say I was a little bright-eyed & bushy tailed. I must have gotten that sleep I needed last night and then some. [INSERT RANDOM THOUGHT HERE -----> Do you ever get a craving for something that literally drives you crazy if you don't eat just that? Today it was a Subway tuna sandwich and they 86'd my sweet onion sauce. It just didn't taste the same. Maybe I'm picky, but when I eat I eat for the taste, not because I'm hungry. I ate half of my murdered sub and I'm still hungry for the sub I ordered. Grr. <-----END RANDOM THOUGHT] This morning I realized that I'm turning into my mother. I figure at the rate I'm going, I'm going to have one of those craft rooms that I dread. We all know those rooms take over the basement eventually at some point as much as SOME of us would never like to admit.

Lesson #2

Do NOT knit in bed. This one I'll explain, but never lesson #1. So last night, I crawled into bed. I was thinking I would knit a couple of rows on the front of Suzy's baby hoody and curl up under the covers. The weather has finally cooled down here to a decent, cool breeze instead of 90 degrees still at 10:00pm. It had been that way for almost a month. The heat is getting old. I crawled in, knitted a row and bam! Asleep I was and fast. I woke up once briefly to a needle poking me in the face. Instead of just getting up and putting it away, there I slept, needles and all until I was woken up and cleared of all possible worse case scenarios from my boyfriend. My luck, I would have poked an eye out and we all know that ruins the fun. I think I need some major sleep tonight...

Back to Reality

Back to reality! I came back to work yesterday, but haven't gotten back to the mental mode of actual "work and progress" until today. [laughs] The new project I started this weekend: Suzy's baby hoody. It's going pretty well and I managed to finish the back piece last night. I hope to tackle the left front today at lunch or at least start it. I'd post it up, but I think Suzy may see. Maybe I'll give a small peek later this week to satisfy curiosity. Anyway, the reunions were both a success and Mike didn't go insane as of yet so I think he's a keeper and actually had fun. My family thought he was great, so that made it kudos for sure. My class reunion was a blast. Lots of people I hadn't seen in ages, lots of catching up, lots of private snickers, and a whole lotta laughs. Fantastic weekend indeed!

My Ten Year Class Reunion

Ten years has gone by since my high school graduation.Does that make me wiser or just older or both? Who knows. I guess looking back, maybe a little bit of both, but not without some surprises, good times, downfalls, trials, and tribulations. My reunion is actually Friday-Sunday, but my Mom's family reunion is the same weekend. I'll be happy to see everyone in both places. It was exactly almost a year ago that my family was together for our last reunion and then two weeks later, my cousin Jeremy passed away suddenly. There should be a lot of emotion and happiness at the same time. LIGHTER NOTE: Here's the snazzy dress I bought to go to my ten year reunion. Anyone have any comments? I'm not sure of it yet. UPDATE: P.S. Here's the shoes to match. For those of you who were curious. Yes, I bought them specifically to match...I know, I'm pathetic.

Drawing Board

I finished the ribbed scarf #2 last night. Deep breath. I also can't figure out what to start next now. I'm thinking I've narrowed it down only about ten things. Camping this weekend should give me some time to whip up some things I've been waiting to finish. My growing list...

1. My Scarf
2. Lacey's Graduation Gift
3. Holly's Scarf
4. Melissa's Scarf
5. Men's Ribbed Scarf #1
6. Men's Ribbed Scarf #2
7. Preppy Bag
8. Purse relatively similar to this one by Margaret Nicole.
9. Baby Hoody for Suzy's Baby (Congrats Suzy & Jason!)
10. Men's Rustic Scarf (another www.yarnmarket.com inspiration)
11. Another clutch purse living in my head (grey wool & mohair)
12. Kool Kid's Hat for TaraLee
13. Heather's Scarf (leftover yarn from Melissa's scarf)
14. My Oversized shawl (own block design pattern)
15. Purse to replace project #8 (above) once Robin steals it from me
16. Purse for Chrissy once she sees the one that Robin stole from me
17. A sweater for Erin, because she said so!
18. A something for JIll cuz she feels left out, too!
19. Something for everyone I left out who is standing over my shoulder as I type this.

Monday Progress

So finally, here is my progress on my Ribbed Scarf #2 and a lovely snapshot of my deck [for those of you who actually find that interesting.] It's going along pretty well, considering my busy social calendar. My goal is to get it done before I leave for out of town to go camping at my Mom's family reunion on Wednesday. We'll see how it goes. I'm really slow lately at pictures and updates on projects. Guess I'll have to work on that. Have to keep the readers happy or they may revolt. Ha ha.

The Clan

Here's Ian [see Ireland Jersey] and his birthday clan Saturday at Prokart Go Kart Racing in Maple Grove. The competition was stiff. Aren't we a bunch of goofballs...anything to amuse the boys though. Happy Birthday Ian! Photo courtesty of crabby girl at go kart track.

Holly's Scarf UPDATED PHOTO

Finally an updated photo of Holly's finished licorice scarf. I have to tell you that it looks a lot different in sunlight & I've noticed that colors actually don't photograph well in indoor lighting, especially on Melissa's Scarf. If I have time, I'll snap a shot of just the leftover yarn and post it up. Note to self: take pics outdoors. Here's the indoor picture of Holly's . See what I mean?

UPDATE: There's now a pic of the yarn on Melissa's scarf vs. the scarf pic indoors. See the "true colors shining through". A little Cindy Lauper fun for those children of the 70's such as myself.

My favor for Kimmy K

So tonight I exchanged a cold, free alcoholic drink for setting up a webpage for Kimmy, a coworker of mine, her husband Rob and their daughter Sunny. Considering it was over 90 degrees again tonight, I figured it was a fair trade. Oh, the taste of hard work. When I got home, I figured I would get some sleep tonight. I still ended up going to bed at 12:30 am. Grr. It was good purpose (a call from the old roomie, Melanie) which was an hour filled with catch up, but man I needed some sleep. I was getting cranky.

Question?

Did you ever want to play with things you never could? I get to play on the firetruck this weekend with my boyfriend and hang around the fire station for a little while. He's a volunteer firefighter. I acted like it was no big deal, but my mom never let me play with matches so... anyone think this is cool, or am I a geek?

Friday Surprises & My Mind

I keep forgetting to bring my camera to work to show a little progress on scarf #2 , but it's almost half done as of now. In the midst of forgetting my camera this week, I forgot to bring my whole purse today. I think I'm getting old. On top of that, it was 90 degrees last night and so of course I had to enjoy a few drinks with my friends Robin, Ian, Chrissy on the lakeside. I just couldn't resist. It ended up being 12:00am before the ruckus subsided and let me tell you...it's not much fun knitting with a headache. Grr. Remind me to go to bed early tonight. My nice surprise #1: My girlfriend Melissa [Main page] sent some pics of us together. She was visiting during the month of June with Bob, her boyfriend and another friend of mine. See how cute Melissa and I are?? Hmm?? My nice surprise #2: My thoughtful boyfriend picked me up some yarn yesterday when he traveling for work and happened to be cruising by the Hobby Lobby. He must REALLY like me, cuz I don't think he's bragging to his friends that he picked me up a nice green, wool blend, if you know what I mean.

Lesson #1

Do NOT knit in traffic. Enough said.

Rib Scarf #2 & Izzy's Noose

So tonight I really started on the "bulk" [some of you will get that joke] of ribbed scarf #2. It was going along just great when my dog Isabelle, see what resembles an Ewok and/or the Cheshire Cat in the picture on the left, found her mini tennis ball. The Itty Bitty Ball as they are named for little dogs, such as Isabelle, are wonderful. She's a 7 pound ball of fury, naturally you can see the attraction to something her size. In my meditation and own world of calmness and knitting, I failed to see that my highly-amused dog had wrapped herself in my yarn. She had managed to manuever the yarn around her neck like a Chinese Finger Trap and knew that she was going nowhere fast. I finally realized what she had done just in time. It scared me more than anything, but maybe it's time for one of those retarded "yarn barns" before my dog strangles herself.

The Preppy Bag & Dilemma

Here's my latest creation that I started on Friday, July 1st and just shy of completed on Saturday, July 2nd over the holiday weekend. I call it "Preppy". I created this bag from cotton rug yarn, size 9 needles, and too much time on my hands! I finished it around 3 hours time and then it hit me. I need handles for this thing! I had the design living upstairs in my head forever, but I just can't find any purse handles I like for this thing. If anyone has any ideas, I welcome them. I did pick up some buttons and a dowel, which may convert this thing into a clutch instead of a purse if I get frustrated enough...

The Introduction of Beans

Holly, my other lovely sister, so known as BEANS had a small request. If Peanut got to show her face on my blog, she wanted equal exposure. Careful what you wish for, you may get it! This is her new boyfriend, um, Kirby I think his name was... Note how content they are with one another.

YEA MY WEB PAGE IS UP!!!

FINALLY, my blog is up!!! I'll try and keep everyone aprise of my "insanity". My knitting is getting more fruitful by the day. It's rewarding, it's calming, it's mine, all mine. Hope you like the blog site! My blog name was inspired by Mike, my boyfriend and his taunting of my hobby. Good thing I like him. It helps that he's cute, too.

That's him ------------------------->

[I told you he was cute.]

-Michelle

Ribbed Unisex Scarf

I love this thing. I found this pattern on Yarn Market. It's so easy, it's actually pretty unisex and consdering I'm on scarf #2 in the same color, needless to say it's pretty popular with the friends, too.

Yarn: Lion Brand/Wool-Ease/ThickN'Quick
Size 17 needles/pattern from yarnmarket.com/ribbed mens scarf
Started: June 3, 2005
Completed: June 7, 2005
Nabbed by random suspect: June 25, 2005

Holly's "Damned Yarn" Scarf

And here is the pretty scarf I made for Beans (Holly). I hope she likes it! It was a snap to make and will go great with jeans and a tee. Don't tell Holly, but I missed a stitch somwhere between rows, oh 15 and 58. I ended up with a big hole in the middle. I finally caught it after I used the whole skein and ended up pulling out some weaved ends, cutting some yarn out and pulling the stitch back in and fixing it. Grr... I REALLY hope she likes it after that fiasco! Oh well, I guess it was a learning experience. This "damn yarn" earned a nick name from my mom. I kept asking her to send the rest of 1/2 of this skein. I must have asked a few times, because it went from yarn to "damn yarn". Hmm...lol.

Red Heart, Big N' Lofty in Licorice
Size 15 needles/10sts/knit stitch
Started: May 14, 2005
Completed: June 25, 2005

Melissa's Must Have Accessory

Ok, maybe it's not a must have, but I must have one like it. After I made this scarf, I figured I needed one, my boyfriends sister Heather figured she needed one (I agreed) and a couple of other people figured they needed one, too! I really like this one, it was super cute and held my lunches down for a week or so, or lunch hours rather [laughs]. These pictures actually do it no justice at all. It's filled with purples, red, turquoise and greens. It is absolutely beautiful. It inspired Melissa to start knitting too, and I finally learned to weave in those ends.

Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun/Prairie (YEE-HA!)
Size 15 Needles/11 Sts. Wide/Knit Stitch
Started: June 8th, 2005
Completed: June 20th, 2005

Peanut's Graduation Gift

This is my most fabulous sister Lacey (Peanut) and her most fabulous graduation gift. She simply states it "kicks ass". [I think I may agree, but hey - I am biased.] She made sure to note that she is, indeed, entirely worth the 30.00 dollars plus I spent on her to make this silly, fur concoction. I guess, the kid graduated college this April, she must have some sort of smarts...

[Yarn: Incredible-Accent on Black/Lion Fun Fur-Lava/Size 11/ 12sts/ Knit Stitch/Started: May 13, 2005/Completed: May 19, 2005]

My First Project

And So I was bored one day and I taught myself to knit at work. I've always wanted to learn, but never really put the effort into doing it. I went to lunch, bought a book and hashed it out. It wasn't the prettiest site at first. It can really cost you a ton of money to start, and unless you have a bit of advice, it can be really overwhelming. Once you get a little more reading and advice in, it's clear sailing on at least the basics from there. My advice, search as much as you can on the internet and check out Hello Knitty. Needless to say, this scarf was my first project. It really was neat to see something develop before my eyes, that I actually liked to wear and that other people actually thought they would wear, too. I guess it wasn't that bad of job for the first go round. I have to admit, I didn't weave in the ends, though :o) I wasn't that experienced yet (laughs).

[Yarn: Lion Brand Home Homespun/Mediterranean/Size 15 needles/10stitches/knit stitch/ Started: May 11, 2005/Completed: May 14, 2005]