Jewel's Purls

The Never Ending Part

2010-01-07T12:32:00.000-08:00

While my other fellow knit-a-longers are well into the upper body charts I'm still whittling away on the body. Did I mention this is the XL size? Sigh.

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

Lappland at First Glance

2010-01-04T12:50:00.000-08:00

Here is my Lappland so far. 10 inches to go. Ugh.

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

First finished project of 2010

2009-12-31T12:20:00.000-08:00

Well, hopefully it will be. Tonight when I get home from work I will be casting on for the Norwegian Knit-a-long we're having at Ravelry. I'm doing the Dale of Norway Lappland out of Dalegarn Falk. I've chosen the adult sweater knit in the colors of the child's sweater. I've knit one of these before but out of Brown Sheep Naturespun sport. I really didn't care for the yarn knitted for this project. But, it's all I had at the time. This time it should be a lot different as I really like this yarn. Falk is the superwash version of Heilo, for all those who were curious but afraid to ask. ;-)

Here are photos from the Dalegarn booklet:

No New Year's Resolutions For Me

2009-12-31T12:24:00.000-08:00

Two thousand and nine was a year of challenges for me but I learned a lot about myself in the process. I learned to let go of a lot of things too.

In July my job shifted so that I ended up acquiring more work. A lot more work. However, with the economy the way it is I am most grateful that I still have a job. I learned that I could handle the work load and challenges that came my way.

I also learned that I like having my blog and it's okay to write whatever I want. I am not here to please everyone. It is important to make myself and my family happy. Okay, the cats too. But other than that, I honestly don't care any more. I let go of wondering what others think of me.

I'm also learning to let go of the things that just don't matter. I'm letting go of the fact that I have such a huge yarn stash. I enjoy looking at it and it makes me happy, so isn't that what matters? Several years ago I sold some yarn that I just wouldn't use and I haven't missed it one bit.

This year I am not going to make any resolutions. I am not going to make a promise that I will not buy yarn. I am not going to make a promise that I will knit projects A, B, and C. I plan on knitting whatever the heck I please when I please. Knitting is very pleasing for me and I find it a great comfort when I come home from a long day at work. Spinning is another pleasure spot for me too. In fact, I've been spinning Ernie. I will tell you about Ernie later.

This year I'm going to do whatever I feel I need to do. Losing weight is going to be a big thing for me in 2010. I'm not setting a weight loss goal. I'm just going to lose what I can when I can. Life isn't a race. Sometimes I try to make it so, and get frustrated in the process.

The bottom line for me is to enjoy 2010 however it may happen. I wish you all a very Happy New Year and hope it is a great one for you too!

Handsome Men of the Silver Screen*

2009-12-29T12:43:00.000-08:00

I was reading a blog and there was a post about the handsome men of the silver screen. I just love the classics (black and white especially) and I have my own silver screen hunk favorites.

How about Cary Grant? The dimple in his chin. :swoon:

I loved An Affair to Remember (1957) and Bringing up Baby (1938)??

And then there's Rock Hudson. What a hunk. Pillow Talk (1959) with Doris Day. I loved that movie!

......... and then there's Sean Connery. There must be something about Scottish men. I married one. (hee hee). Sean is my favorite 007.

Okay - there you have it. My top three movie hunks. They don't make em like they used to. :sigh:
*This was post was inspired by C-Dot.

Giddyup!

2009-12-27T17:44:00.000-08:00

Santa was nice to me this year. He brought me a new iPod and yarn. Lots of yarn! He brought me some Hebridean 3 ply for St. Brigid and yarn for two hats. One hat is the Appaloosa Hat. I was so anxious to start it that I cast on on Christmas Day and finished it the next morning. The yarn is Dalegarn Falk in colors Copper and Off White.

I am a loose knitter and went down a needle size. The resulting fabric is a bit loose for my taste even going down a needle size. This was a great exercise for me to work on gauge for the upcoming Norwegian Knit-a-long. The pattern calls for one skein of yarn of each color and this photo shows how much was left.

I finished the "Oh Ruby" scarf but haven't taken photos yet. That and the details of the upcoming Norwegian Knit-a-long on Ravelry will be coming soon.

I hope you all had a terrific Christmas!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2009-12-24T12:38:00.000-08:00

Finished Knitting Update

2009-12-19T12:42:00.000-08:00

If you follow along on Ravelry, you will have already seen these finished knitting projects. Several years ago I started Luskentyre. It sat for one year only needing one sleeve. One day I decided enough was enough! I picked it up and decided to "gitter done".

Here is Bee Fields Shawl by Anne Hanson. It's knit from The Woolen Rabbit's Tupelo Honey.

That's about it for this update. If I remember to get pictures of the other projects I'll add them.

Kisses For Everyone

2009-12-16T20:28:00.000-08:00

There is much holiday-making here at chez Purls. We got the tree decorated and this is one of my favorite ornaments:

I've made two batches of my mother-in-law's shortbread but they're in an air tight container hidden away from sneaky hands. Here are two batches of Peanut Butter Blossoms.

Go ahead. Take one. You know you want one.

And now for another reason why I started blogging again: Cat Cuteness. Here is Meemers with trying to take a nap with her Serta Sheep #5. Sheepie #5 is in her bed in the living room. Sheepie #2 is in her bed next to my side of the bed.

Time to get ready for bed and tomorrow off to work for a lot of merry making with my coworkers. I hope you are all having a great holiday. Next time, photos of projects I've recently finished.

A Missing Spot

2009-12-13T20:53:00.000-08:00

Several months ago I discontinued my blog at Typepad because it just became too much. At first it was a relief - kind of a vacation. Here and there I found myself saying to myself, "Wow! This is blogworthy." Oh. I don't have a blog any more.

Some of the things I wanted to post weren't necessarily interesting to all of my readers but it was interesting to me, maybe my husband, and perhaps a knitter friend here and there. I'm only blogging for myself so who cares if what I write isn't entertaining? Sometimes I write about things that are stupid, silly, and corny. However, that's why my husband loves me and I love that I can be my silly goofy self with him. (Because we all know he's done some mighty stupid stuff too.)

I have some dear knitting friends that blog too and I miss sharing my stuff with them. I'm very thrilled that another dear knitter is back on the blogging wagon again and I can see the funny stuff that goes on in her life too. It makes the eleventy million miles between us shorter.

We are in the holiday season now, so be of good cheer! I'm back.

Tudor Roses Knit-a-long

2006-05-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

This is my old blog and boy was I surprised to find it was still up and running! As you can see from my old posts it's been a while.

I needed a Blogger account to be able to join the Tudor Roses Knit-a-long, so this fits the bill!

I am going to be knitting Henry VIII. In fact, I have already started and I hope by being in this KAL it will cheer me along to finally get Hank finished. I am about 10 rows from beginning the arm steeks.

Is it a sleeve?

2004-11-29T21:15:00.000-08:00

Here is Mia, modeling the Sparkle Plenty sleeve. Not many can pull this off, but doesn't Mia look gorgeous in her poncho?

We have all recovered from the hustle of the Thanksgiving holiday. My MIL visited us and Tippi made it clear she loved having her Granny visit!

Hope you all had a terrific Thanksgiving. The countdown is on for Christmas!

I was just reminded by my 20 year 11 month and 15 day old son that his birthday comes before Christmas and he will be 21. :gasp: I feel so old.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2004-11-25T11:43:00.000-08:00

A very happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

It's 1 year old!

2004-11-21T08:25:00.000-08:00

Yup. My blog's first birthday was Nov. 13. I missed it. However.......

Unconscious Mutterings

2004-11-20T22:50:00.000-08:00

Reconnect:: Modem
Gearshiift:: grind
Mania:: crazy
Manhattan:: drunk
First date:: too young
District:: school
Yearbook:: long ago
Breakup:: adios
Episode:: again?
Costume:: halloween

Play along! Go to Unconscious Mutterings.

There's a whole lotta sparklin goin on!

2004-11-20T21:02:00.000-08:00

I sparkled in traffic yesterday.
I sparkled in my office at lunch too.
At breakfast this morning I sparkled with my coffee.
I even was prepared to sparkle at the DMV this morning, but I didn't have a chance.

Tonight, I sparkled at the dining room table with my husband!!

This is Dale 9006. I don't want to call it 9006. My friend Junie showed me this and I fell in love! I like how there are white lines going up - like rays of light. I have named this sweater "Sparkle Plenty" in honor of Junie's baby doll she had as a little girl.

I am doing the sweater in Dale Heilo with Indigo bought from Elann. I am making the contrasting colors in off white, light brown heather and medium brown heather. There will also be a light celery and medium celery color. Right now, I'm just at the stockinette stitch phase. Boring, but ya gotta do it to get to the good stuff.

I'm sending get well wishes to Junie! She has PINK EYE!

I'm going to go sparkle for a little bit and get to bed. I cleaned carpets and upholstery all day today. I'm exhausted!

3 years in the making

2004-11-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

I knew when I saw it I just had to make it. I didn't know who it would be for, didn't know how long it would take, but I just had to make it.

That was 3 years ago. It was carefully packed away before the last move, carefully unpacked and put with the rest of my knitting things and has been languishing in the basket since. I finally took pity upon it and finished it. It is the Hooded Pullover from Paton's Weekend Retreat book. I knit it in Paton's Classic Merino, dusky lavender.

When I got it all put together I instantly knew who it belonged to - my sister, Marlys. This afternoon it will be wrapped and put in a package on it's way to Virginia. Wow. Hope she likes it! Wow. I'm glad it's done!!

My babies

2004-11-07T14:54:00.000-08:00

Pardon the blurry picture, but sometimes you just gotta take what you can get. Here is my human baby (Kyle) holding my fur baby (Mia).

Boo!

2004-10-30T22:25:00.000-07:00

It's a Rogue!

2004-10-11T18:37:00.000-07:00

It has taken about a month, but I have finished Rogue. I made this out of Jamieson's Aran in chartreuse. I think it's a bit thick for winter in Northern California, but I'm glad I made it. I definitely will be making another one but a lighter weight yarn.

Wool is very forgiving and there are a lot of puckers and imperfections that I'm hoping will disappear. Here is Rogue, before blocking.

Full side view:

Here is the hood:

.... and the side....

What's next? My Iceland Lopi-along. Stay tuned for more specifics.

I'm busy!

2004-10-06T15:41:00.000-07:00

I've been busy knitting up Rogue. I have had so much fun with it, I can't put it down long enough to take a picture or post anything blog-worthy. I am really going to be sorry when this is finished. By the time I finish most projects, I'm really glad to have it finished! But not this time. It's a nice relaxing pattern, yet enough cabling to keep me interested. I am knitting it out of Jamieson's Aran in Chartreuse. It knits up very thick which is nice. I'm hoping that when I wash and block it, it will soften up a bit. However, I think next time I will knit it so it's not so thick.

I've already got my next project ready to go. I got Lopi-ish yarn from Elann - Gjestal Naturegarn. I'm going to be doing Sigradur from The Best of Lopi. I'm not doing it in the colors pictured as my Rogue is about the same color. I have chosen winter blue as the main color with rust and cream as the 2nd and 3rd colors.

Enough for now - back to my Rogue!

I've got the blogger blues

2004-10-05T10:40:00.000-07:00

I've been busily knitting away on my Rogue. I know I haven't posted pictures, but it's nearly completed! I just have to do the sleeves and block it. Pics soon. I promise.

Until then, I'll hopefully have pictures up of knitting and da cats.

Button, Button - Who's Got the Button?

2004-09-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

I do! I do!

For my fellow ASOF'ers, here are the buttons for the Lopi-Along or the Iceland project of your choice. Please PLEASE copy them and save them to your own site. If you could please leave comments and let me know which one you are using, I would really appreciate it!

Condiment Queen

2004-09-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

Uh huh. That's me. I'm the Condiment Queen. My drawer at work is filled with all kinds of varieties of ketchup, mustard, hot chili, salt, and pepper, and ketchup. It's mostly ketchup. I go to McDonald's or Wendys often. I'm sure it's obvious. When asked if I would like ketchup I say, No!" But it never fails - there is ketchup at the bottom. Sometimes a handful of ketchup packets. I just can't seem to throw them away, so I toss em into my drawer.

What in the world is the difference between ketchup and fancy ketchup??? One ketchup packet I have is from Wendy's. It has a picture of the Heinz ketchup bottle on the front. It says "Heinz Tomato Ketchup". It's ingredients are tomato concentrate made from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, salt, spice, onion powder, and natural flavoring. The other packet is the fancy ketchup and is clearly from McDonald's. It has the McDonald's logo on the front and says "Fancy Ketchup". It's ingredients are tomato concentrate from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, salt, and natural flavors. It does not mention a name brand, however, it says it is made in the USA for exclusive use by McDonald's Restaurants. So, the plain ketchup has MORE ingredients than the fancy ketchup. By not having spice and onion powder it is fancier than the one with those ingredients?

If the Big E ever happens while I'm at work and I get trapped in my office, please by all means search and rescue the others first. I will most certainly be able to survive quite a while because I have been squirreling away these condiments. With the red ripe tomatoes in the ketchup and all the corn syrup I should survive the Big E nicely!

Introducing......

2004-09-09T17:59:00.000-07:00

(drum roll, please)..... Alan and Alan!

Or, is it Alan in Alan. Maybe it's Alan on Alan?

For those who haven't been reading my blog, this sweater didn't have a name. It's a Dale of Norway pattern with no name. I couldn't possibly knit something that didn't have a name. Since it was for my husband Alan, what better name than, Alan??! (I wonder how many more times I can use the word "name" in this paragraph?)

And a close-up of Alan in Alan....

In case you couldn't tell, he's Scottish. Yeah, I love him anyway. :-)

I absolutely LOVE this yarn. It was made from about 2100 yards of Bendigo Aran wool. Stitch definition is GREAT and the wool is very very soft. I converted the called for crew neck to a V-neck. Other than the fact that I asked him to model this for us during a heat wave, he is very happy with this sweater. If he's happy, I'm happy.