On the upside, it does give us more time to knit those stunning sweaters, hats, socks, mittens and scarves. By the way, CIC is still taking any and all wooly type items that you knit.

Last night was the monthly guild meeting. A couple of things came up that were very interesting and that I thought I would pass on. One is the yarn from KnitPicks. A member had already purchased quite a bit of their new line and brought it in for show-n-tell. The Wool of the Andes is really beautiful! Dallas had bought a purple and color was true with a lovely sheen, it didn't split when knit and the stitch defination was lovely as well. I would have to say, run don't walk to your nearest order form and buy a sweater or two. At $1.79 a skein you could knit a sweater for under $25.00! With shipping free for orders over $30 you would be crazy not to buy two sweaters worth of yarn.

No affiliation with KnitPicks. Really. I'm just an excited knitter trying to inform other knitters.

Want sweater help?? You can go to The Knitting Fool who has taken the guess work out of the numbers for simple quick to knit sweaters. Like drop sleeves, and sweaters from the top down.

Need cable graphing help? David Roth/Sweater Project has a brillant grapher (strictly IMHO). You will just need to add in the extra stitches and yardage when figuring your sweater. His grapher is called Visiknit. Go check it out, play a bit. You'll love it!

Not ready to knit a cabled sweater? Try a scarf. There are lots out there. Hello Yarn has lots of great yarn, patterns and help.

So, come on! Turn this thing off. Get those kneedles clikin'!

Secret Pal 4 Questionnaire -- the rest of the list.....

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
-- hmmmm, lets see I believe the SFH is now about 4 years old but the most current incarmation of it is a year old. It needs sleeves and to have it's steeks (EEK!!)cut.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
-- the goldfish in Pinocchio

25. What is your favorite holiday?
-- Halloween, I love making the kids costumes.

26. Is there anything that you collect?
-- Siamese fighting fish. I currently have 11.

I'll put the whole list together and put it here tomorrow.

I'm now off to knit a few socks to fit over his toes while they're exposed to the elements! In case you're wondering, he got a black cast so I don't even have to worry about matching colors!

Keep those kneedles clickin'!

Weatherbug says that we are under a severe storm watch until Noon today. Looks like a good day to stay inside, fix a cuppa tea, knit and watch movies.

More on the Secret Pal 4 questionnaire:

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
---- wools are my favorite, though I have been known to knit with anything within my grasp.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
---- acrylics aren't a favorite but again, if the need arises I'll knit with it.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
---- I think mittens, wrist warmers and socks.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
---- Anything that will bring a smile to the face of the receipent.

17. What are you knitting right now?
---- Cardigan using Cottage Craft 1ply and Fusion Mohair stranded together; wrist warmers (this pair I hope will be mine); CIC socks; SFH; and working on a pattern for a spring top using Elspeth Lavold's Silky Tweed.

18. What do you think about ponchos?
---- Cute, but not on me.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
---- I mainly use circulars, the only straights I use are double points. I also teach using circulars.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
---- yes.

21. Are you a sock knitter?
---- Absolutely!

So folks tune in tomorrow for fun frolicky fun! And in the meantime keep those needles clickin'!

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
-- Lavendar and citrus

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
-- Absolutely! Classic chocolate freak! Especially dark chocolate.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
-- Needle felting is quickly becoming a passion, cooking/baking have always been favorites. And working with beads.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
-- I haven't learned MP3s. I honestly listen to all music except Rap (I just don't get it) and gospel blue grass.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?
-- I love the whole color spectrum, there are colors I really can't wear but am always happy to work with the color and gift to a friend/loved one.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
-- A most wonderful family situation! We have two chaotic puppy kats and another that lives here part time. The part-timer belongs to my Aunt and Uncle who live next door.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
-- To one day own a successful yarn/music/cafe. But for now I'm happy knitting in other book shops and cafes.

I've decided to tag another with yesterday's music quiz. I'm sending it to the http://www.wrypunster.typepad.com/. She's a fun customer/friend at the yarn shop where I work. It will be interesting to see how she answers the questions.

1.Total amount of music files on my computer:

I know how to burn CD's, and how to listen to CD's, and I know that there is some music on the computer but it's not mine (it belongs to my DS#2) and I've really no idea of how to get to it.

2. The last CD I bought: 12 Girls Band Eastern Enery. This is a group of young girls in China who play popular type music using traditional Chinese instruments. The sound can be haunting but beautiful at the same time.

3. What is the song you last listened to before reading this question?: Carl Stalling's Variation on Grandfather's Clock. (you know his music from Bugs Bunny fame)

4. Write down five songs you often listen to or that mean a lot to you: This one is a tough one! I like the simplicity of listening to the radio and not having to deal with changing CD/tapes. But I do have my favorites and can answer this. I think.

a) Passion sung by Rod Stewart. Actually anything by Rod Stewart, he is the personification of sexy to me.

b) Never Been Rocked Enough sung by Delbert McClinton. From the first time I heard this one on the radio I have just really loved this song. Good beat, I know the words, it just works for me. Actually I really enjoy the whole CD.

c) Put Yourself in My Shoes by Clint Black. I love his voice, and the lyrics of this song are wonderful!

d) Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw and the Dance Hall Doctors. First time I heard this song I was out with my daughter. I had to pull over the truck and dig out tissues. It certainly makes one think about what would you do if you found out you were dying. Very powerful song.

e) Proud Mary by Tina Turner. Yes, I am aware that I should have written Ike and Tina Turner but I firmly believe that her best music came after she left Ike.

In case you can't tell, I don't have a favorite type of music. I really love most all music. I can say I don't care for stained glass blue grass, and that blue grass isn't really a favorite. But it's a blast to watch live.

Like a lot of people my age (nope, I'm not telling!!) I grew up on the Beatles and Elvis Presley as they were my mom's favorites as well as the Beach Boys and Gladys Knight and the Pips. So they are also favorites of mine.

And opera, I do love opera (Die Fledermaus is a fav). And C&W is probably on the radio more then most anything. Bonnie Raitt is the bomb, next to KD Lang who's voice seems to get stronger and stronger as time goes, and Tina Turner who I wish would come out of retirement so I could maybe see her once live.

Bruce Springsteen still gives me hot flashes, and brings back wonderful memories of days past. I still listen to The River and Dancing in the Dark singing at the top of my lungs.

And David Bowie! OMG! I'll put in The Labyrinth just to watch him!

And of course Bond, Small Faces (with Rod Stewart), Rolling Stones, Sting, Motorhead, Cake, Moby, The Kinks, MC5, Redd Kross, are just a few sounds you can hear if you happen to walk down our street.

5. Who are you going to pass this to, and why?: hmmmm who would I send this to? I think I'm going to send it to Cheryl the Pearl cause I like to look in and see what she's doing. And I'm going to send it to the other Michelle. Cause again, I like her point of view; and Stef because I wanna and I like her point of view as well.

So, that's it for today folks. As always, stay safe and keep those kneedles clickin!

So, I've made my super secret email address -- no I'm not telling; decided on my first items to send out -- again I'm not telling; and now I have a questionnaire to fill out. Here are the questions I need to answer:

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high- a nd/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
4. How long have you been knitting?
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
17. What are you knitting right now?
18. What do you think about ponchos?
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
21. Are you a sock knitter?
22. How did you learn to knit?
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
25. What is your favorite holiday?
26. Is there anything that you collect?

Because this is such a loooonnnnngggg list I've decided to break it down into sections and answer them that way. Then when the whole list is done, I'll repost it in enmass from then.

In other news -- We've been hit with a snow bomb complete with thunder!! Last Saturday we got snow. And then we got more snow almost 7 inches. And it's really really cold! Even the puppy kats won't spend much time outside and poor lil Felix usually loves to play in the snow.

Since it was Saturday that we got the snow, I was asked by my boss not to come into work. She worries about my safety. I love my boss, she really is a great lady! Of course since I didn't go to work it's put me into a bit of a funk....a true case of CABIN FEVER. Then to top it all off, AA County cancelled school yesterday! WHY?

Yes, I've been knitting. Knitting even from my stash. I can feel it shrinking. hmmmm just may need to buy more.

Speaking of yarn, KnitPicks has their own line of yarn now. I received a catalog in the mail and not only are the prices really good but the yarn looks very nice and the colors are most enticing! I'll have to buy to test knit. Will keep you posted on what I purchase and my opinion on the finished fabric.

Wanna read my answers to the first group of questions? Keep reading....

Otherwise, keep those kneedles clickin'!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high- a nd/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
.......I'm not exactly a yarn snob, I do knit with some Lion Brand yarns like Woolese, and Thick n Quick Chinelle but I do try to avoid Red Heart acrylics. Though I do admit to being drawn to some of the colorways.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
.......I don't spin though I do try. I do crochet. I learned this art a few years after learning to knit. My aunt who taught me said it the "Hip thing to do" and that with crochet I could make some really "cool" clothes. Thus was born the first of many many granny square ponchos, skirts, beercan hats, and scarves.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
........no

4. How long have you been knitting?
........Learned from a babysitter when I was 8 years old. A totally wonderful experience for me as the sitter (her name was Donna) had to put my younger brothers to bed to get a calm to teach me. I didn't have any knitting needles but did have a "Kerplunk" game with plastic sticks that I used. Needless to say, it was the end of that game as I went thru many many sticks.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
........No, never thought about making one.

"CORRECTION: In the Holiday issue, we stated that WoolWinders, located in Rockville, Maryland, is the only knit shop in the state open Sundays. In fact, most knit shops in Maryland are open on that day. (For store hours at establishments in your area, please contact the shops directly.) Vogue Knitting apologizes for the error and for any confusion this erroneous information may have caused."

Being one of many people who wrote an email to Vogue Knitting to correct the mistake I would now like to say: Thank you.

Anyone out there wanting information on shops in Maryland open on Sundays can contact me. In fact it doesn't have to be a shop open on Sunday, it can be one open or closed on any day of the week. If I don't have the information readily available I'll find it for you. Email me or drop me a comment.

This is currently the Wyldman's favorite movie so it is watched at least once every two days. Beats having to watch Mucha Lucha!

We parted ways after a funny incident at the Starbucks for some really good Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Being as the afternoon was still pretty early and I was riding the Metro anyway I flipped a coin -- heads; Stitch DC; tails then I head home. Needless to say, I flipped again and headed to Stitch DC for a bit.

The place was hopping! The front room was full of knitters, and the back was rapidly filling. So I sat and knit with a few new knitters. Now doncha just love new knitters?! They work so dilligently at completing projects and aiming toward the next. The knitting teacher at Stitch DC is doing a nice job and from the chat, is well liked. Of course Maria was in. Where does she get her energy? Do you think maybe the yarn emits positive energy and good vibes?

The weather has been perfect for knitting....that is if you stay home and knit. Yesterday, when hearing the weather report I was hit with a guilt that my kids are going to freeze while waiting for the school bus. So while preparing dinner I cast on for mittens for the youngest. I was very pleased to be able to put a completed pair of mittens on the table last for him before heading for bed. Today I think I'll cast on for my daughter.

The bigger kids are really bad at dressing properly for this weather. They don't have lockers at school so refuse to wear heavy coats. So I've been trying to provide them with light weight warm clothes that won't cramp their style. This is really not an easy task! Any and all suggestions are welcome!

So, I need to re-stock the wood stove (it's 14 degrees F here this morning and that's with the sun shining on the thermometer) and start the stew I'm planning for dinner.

What? Did I buy anything at Stitch DC? But of course! I picked up four skeins of some lovely Dalegarn called Ara. It's a thick/thin 100% wool in a cream with blotches of tan, gold and grey. The color is called Pralines and Cream (fits!!) and you can see what it looks like at SpinBlessings.

Be Well, stay safe and keep those kneedles clickin'!

p.s. Want the pattern for Nathan's really quick mittens? Email me. By the way, when he tried them on this morning before heading out I got a big hug and was told "They're beautiful"....I love that boy!!

I've been working a bit on my list. It's part of the extended entry if you would like a gander at it.

I've been working on a few knit projects lately. One is part of an exchange. I have a picture of what I want it to look like in my brain, now to get it to look like that picture. Can't tell you what it is cause she may be a reader here. Once the exchange is done, I'll post a couple of photos and the pattern.

Well, I think I'm finally clear of the sinus infection but still battling the upper resp. infection. So vertical time is still limited. I've decided to knit socks for CIC since I have quite a bit of yarn that would work for this project. Plus I feel a strong need to help.

SO, now I'm off to knit and possibly take a nap.

Happy Birthday, Dad! I love you.

I've been working on getting well and on some patterns I have knocking about in the grey matter. I plan on submitting some to a few publications this year in hopes of getting them published. Part of my 100 Things to do in 1001 days. By the way, my list is up to number 87. I still can't believe how difficult this list is for me to make.

I'm once again Project Coordinator for the Knitting Guild that I belong to. I like the challenge of trying to come up with ideas for each months meetings though I have to admit that this year it's a been a bit difficult. I'm going to be looking for outside help in setting up programs. I think a roadtrip to visit another guild or two is in order as well.

For now before the day really starts getting away from me I'm going to take down the Christmas tree and other holiday decorations. And make a list of cards still in need of my attention.

So, Happy New Year to you all. Thanks for stopping by.

Not too much knitting going on here lately. The CTS in my hands/arms has really flared up and to top all that off I've got pnemonia with a sinus and upper resp. infection. That means bed rest. YEA RIGHT! A week off of school with a little guy and I'm supposed to stay in bed. What a joke! The 10 program of meds from the doctor are now over and I'm still waiting to feel better.

Being sick makes one rather mean!

Tomorrow we venture to Virginia. Saturday is the ever popular annual Christmas Party! Most of the family shows for this and we have a really cool gift exchange that can go on and on for hours and at times get a bit "cut throat? even.

Then on Sunday it's dinner and gift exchange (the more domestic type) with my husband's sister and her family. I haven't seen my nephew in a year -- almost to date. So I look forward to that. Seeing my nephew that is.

So, I wanted to wish all you who actually read this a Happy New Year and to keep those lights lit so the New Year will find it's way to us and burn brightly.

It's a fleece boa and here's what you do:

Materials needed are:

Fleece material - at least 1-1/2 yards long by 6 inches. You'll need two pieces.
Thread
Scissors

Place the fleece pieces on top of each other lengthwise. Now stitch up the middle of the fabric from end to end lengthwise. The zig zag stitch works best here. Now cut fringe up both sides of the scarf apporximately 1 inch wide. When you are done this looks like a very cool boa without the feathers.

Mix and match your fleece. With fleece being approximately 42 inches wide, you can get 7 scarves from two pieces of fleece. That would be 7 gifts for under $20.00.

Now if you get together with a couple of friends, each of you can buy different pieces of fleece so that you can all have 7 different scarf boas.

These would also make great items for donation.

Merry Holidays to you all!

1. Scrap, sand, and paint the bathroom ceiling
2. Rip up and replace the bathroom floor
3. Rip out and replace the walls around the bathtub. (seems my bathroom needs lots of help!)
4. Spend more time with my folks
5. Organize my yarn stash
6. Submit 3 of my designs to magazines
7. Make my designs available to other knitters
8. Organize my books
9. Organize my family's books
10. Empty out the junk drawers (I have three)
11. Weed out the closet
12. Clean off the deck
13. Clean out the storage bin
14. Learn to take better care of my car
15. Teach my teenagers to drive
16. Teach them to take care of the car
17. Save more money
18. Visit my friend G1 in FLA
19. Write more letters
20. Go to New York City
21. Go to Boston
22. Re-tile the chimney floor
23. Hang my 2 sided mirror
24. Spend less time wondering “what if” and more time doing
25. Learn to spin
26. Learn to felt
27. Take a business class
28. Volunteer more at the school
29. Start a workout program and stick with it at least one month
30. Go to Canada
31. Get CPR certified again
32. Take Nathan to a baseball game
33. Go to Mardi Gras
34. Visit my cousin in South Carolina
35. Finish more projects
36. Frog what won’t get finished
37. Repair the screens on the front porch
38. Visit a dude ranch with Myla
39. Spend more time with friends
40. Make more desserts
41. Take the kids to see the National Christmas Tree
42. Learn ASL
43. Learn to drive a bucket of balls
44. Design and knit more mittens
45. Successfully design another adult sweater
46. Blog at least 3 times a week
47. Use up more of my stash
48. Visit and write reviews of more yarn shops
49. Fix the kitchen faucet
50. Kayak further
51. Attempt to leave a comment on blogs that I read
52. Be a better housekeeper
53. If 52 fails then be a better knitter
54. Stop binge shopping
55. Spend more time on my bicycle
56. Open my own bank account
57. Pay off my credit card
58. Buy a fleece
59. Re-write my Resume
60. Re-write my patterns
61. Organize my knitting diaries
62. Make a slip cover for the couch – that I like
63. Go on a date with my husband
64. Talk more with my neighbors not just the family
65. Launch my website
66. Take Nathan to all the Smithsonian Museums
67. Go horseback riding with Myla
68. Stop complaining for 3 weeks
69. Take a knitting class
70. Organize my magazines
71. Learn to understand the computer
72. Program the VCR (really)
73. Bake more cookies
74. Knit 45 hats for charity
75. Organize a family vacation – and then go on it
76. Repaint the hand rail
77. Build a new step
78. Call my SIL once a month
79. Learn Fencing
80. Read more books
81. Brick in the flower beds
82. Re-plant the flower beds to be more useful (herbs)
83. Find another part-time job
84. Keep a daily journal

I realise that some of these items seem trivial but they aren't to me. I mentioned the list to my DH and looked at me it was another of my wild ideas. We shall see. When making the list I have actually placed a sort of value on each of the items. This way when something is completed it will be more like having accomplished a real task.

HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE FINGER

or Giving the Finger

Before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French, anticipating victory over the English, proposed to cut off the middle finger of all captured English soldiers. Without the middle finger it would be impossible to draw the renowned English longbow and therefore they would be incapable of fighting in the future.

This famous weapon was made of the native English Yew tree, and the act of drawing the longbow was known as "plucking the yew" (or "pluck yew").

Much to the bewilderment of the French, the English won a major upset and began mocking the French by waving their middle fingers at the defeated French, saying, "See, we can still pluck yew! "PLUCK YEW!"

Since 'pluck yew' is rather difficult to say, the difficult consonant
cluster at the beginning has gradually changed to a labiodentals fricative ?Ǭ?F?Ǭ?, and thus the words often used in conjunction with the
one-finger-salute!

It is also because of the pheasant feathers on the arrows used with the longbow that the symbolic gesture is known as "giving the bird."

And yew thought yew knew everything ?Ö !

So now you know.