What are we knitting now

I finally started working on a sweater for myself - a couple of years ago I went to The Philosopher's Wool in Canada and bought a bunch of yarn in a great purple with a pattern - well I m not sure about the pattern - really written strangely - the sweater starts at the sleeve end (cuff) then up the sleeve, add on stitches for the front and back - do two of these and kitchner together - will keep you posted - I'm really not sure I am following the pattern correctly.

Got hooked on Ravelry this year and have done several swaps - that is fun - have two lined up for the new year. A new Hogwart's swap and a slipper swap. That's for after Christmas.

Personal update

OK, it's been a really long time since I've posted - today is Easter - we had dinner with both kids and it is a beautiful day outside - sun is out again. My herb garden doesn't look too well, hubby decided to burn off the dried remains from last year - may have killed some of my plants - will have to see what comes up and go from there. It was suggested to do some research on a medicine wheel so will be looking into that. Today's goodie - I found a great looking soup recipe for that left-over hambone. We had a really great brown sugar glazed spiral ham - so lots of leftovers, but hate to waste that hambone. So I'm going to be trying this recipe for Tony.

After the Holidays Ham bone Soup

1 ham bone with some meat
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 (15 oz) can whole peeled tomatoes with juice
1 (14 oz) pkg frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
3 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
3/4 cup long grain rice
1 cup chopped cooked ham, or amount left over
1 (10 oz) can tomato sauce

Directions:
Place the ham bone into a large pot and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes. Add the onion and tomatoes, then stir in the frozen mixed vegetables and potatoes. Simmer for about 20 minutes, then add the macaroni, rice and chopped ham. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 1 to 1 and a half hours. any ham on the bone should come off easily. Stir in the tomato sauce and let cool for about 15 minutes before serving.

Hog Warts Sock Swap II

Finally - I got the pictures to download - was starting to get frustrated. But here is my owl delivered swap from Petunia Butterbeer. I have to apologize for being so late to get it posted. I've had it for a while now but between being sick, in the hospital and fighting with the camera/computer, I am running way behind. I can't seem to get the pictures to load where I want them but at least it is here - so anyways - here is my box of goodies.

Besides the gorgeous socks, which fit perfectly, I got a beautiful green variegated yarn, can't wait to make these up for me. My bookmark is knit of the same yarn as my socks. The kids wanted it but it was in the wrong house colors - too bad for them. They are both Gryffindor.

I also got the Harry Potter knitting book, air freshener was melts, blood pops, a Chocolate Frog, a Hufflepuff bag with tootsie roll pops in it and a Bert's Bees facial treatment. Am I spoiled or what. Thank you so much Petunia.

Hedwig

Felted bag swap

Man I just can't get them where I want them. Here is the whole package - cat not included - she just has to help me. Four skeins of yarn, a mitten pattern, a felted magazine with some great patterns, a bag of coffee, a bag of coffee candy, 3 hot cider packets, the bag itself was full of peppermints and "A good yarn" by Debbie Macomber, which has a knitting pattern in it. Microwave popcorn and pumpkin shaped playing cards. What a great package.

Here it is - the felted bag I received from Cheryl - isn't this just yummy? Purple is my favorite color and this is super fabulous - thank you so much Cheryl.

This was a delightful swap - I have to apologize for being so tardy in getting this posted. Stinks to get older and get sick, don't heal too quickly I guess.

Blessings - Robin

England

OK I tried to get a picture of this - it was a huge poster of the Potter gang on Broomsticks from the last movie - took up the entire side of this HUGE building.

Update

OK October really didn't go well for me. I was sick all month and ended up in the hospital for a week - two weeks later I am still exhausted and so forth. Anyways - I got my Hogwarts sock swap (Fabulous) and my felted bag swap (also super-duper). Do you think I can get my camera adapter to hook up my computer? Of course not - the USB slots are all being particular this morning. I'm going to try one more thing before I give up and call in the techy son. I'm way behind in getting the pictures posted, just like I'm behind in getting everything else done right now - but I'm trying.

Update

I've been off blog for a while, totally stinks. I went on the fab trip to Canada, long but beautiful trip. Got some wonderful yarn, saw the "bare naked ladies" (aka shorn sheep) and had a tour of the farm as well as plenty of time to shop. Then I got a nasty kidney infection and have been sick ever since. But - I have managed to get my felted purse just about complete, it is felting/drying now. i got my Hogwarts sock swap II out in the mail this week as well as 4 other swaps. So I'm getting there.

Our weather hasn't been really good here (Michigan) - lots of rainy days, which is just fine when I feel like yuk and don't want to do anything anyways. Today is actually pretty nice out - in the 70s but I hear tomorrow we are back to severe thunder storms. Oh well, lots of knitting to do. I am currently just starting a pair of socks for my husband. He is in Iraq (as a contractor) but I figure good socks are good anywhere. I am doing them in a camoflage green - he can always use them for deer hunting when he comes home, right?

Happy Knitting

Autumn

OK the next challenge/question with the Felted Bag swap group is about Autumn, why do I like Autumn.

This really is my favorite time of the year - for many reasons. My birthday is in Sept and I have some good memories growing up. Probably my favorite is the feeling of the air in autumn. I live in Michigan so we experience the changing of the colors, the wonderful oranges and reds and browns. The air smells different than any other time of the year. I can't say that I enjoy the work involved with autumn, raking leaves, putting things away for winter - but the good far outweighs the bad with this season.

This picture was taken in my back yard - early autumn last year. What's not to love?

Felted bag progress

I love this project. From knitting on size 0 or 1 needles with socks - knitting with a size 13 is totally great. It is working up fast and I love the colors. I don't want to give too much away so will post pictures another time.

Knitting update

will I finished the HSS socks last night - am working on the book mark - hopefully I'll have the owl out next week. Yay

Tomorrow I'm going to spend the day in Lansing with my best friend, shopping, food and whatever else we can get up to.

Upcoming - trip to Canada in early October to Philospher's Stone - sheep farm and knitting spot.

Next project is the felted bag swap. Need to get needles tomorrow when I'm at the LYS.

Update info

well I'm just about done with my HSS socks - hopefully get them finished and out this week, then on to the felted bag and hope it knits up quickly.

I am trying to finish a REN dress for a friend, did you ever have one of those projects that you just can't seem to force yourself to finish? I had to redo the sleeves and just made more work for myself and I'm having trouble forcing myself to the sewing room. grrrr how frustrating.

Weather here in Michigan is delightful today. Sun is out, around 72 degrees. Have a great day everyone.

Felted bag swap challenge

OK here is a sampling of the yarn - pretty sweet isn't it.

Probably the blog I read the most is Cheryl C.'s http://knitting-knut.blogspot.com/

Challenge #3 - HSS2

What type of pet do you choose as your companion at Hogwarts? Definitely an owl.

While shopping in Hogsmeade you stop by Honeydukes for some sweets. What treats do you purchase for yourself? Peach pits and Honey sticks

A potion you are preparing needs an ingredient available only at muggle shops. You don't want to stand out in your wizards robes, so you resort to traditional muggle clothing. Describe your outfit in detail. Jeans, T-shirt and Jean Jacket - crocks and goofy socks, and a Huge handbag that I can fit everything into, probably purples and blues

What is your favorite subject to study at Hogwarts and why? Divination - I like to know what to look forward to.

Likewise, what subject is your least favorite and why? History of anything - boring. It's over - can't change it.

Back to the potion you were shopping for ingredients for, what type of potion are you making, what color is it, what are the ingredients, and precisely what does the potion do?

I'm making a Feel-Good Spell. I need lavender, meadowsweet, angel kisses, a touch of dew drop and some cone flower. Color - green. It's a natural stress reliever - will make you feel happy.

Knitting progress

well I'm working diligently on my Hogwart's sock swap - am on the heel of the second sock. Can't wait to finish these so I can get moving on the felted bag. I got the yarn yesterday - it is beautiful - really excited to get going with it.

Almost back on US time - it's only taken me 5 days - yay. Had a power outage today - so gee whiz, what to do - KNIT!

PS

Sorry - the picture in the post I just put up is Leed's Castle in England. Beautiful place.

I'M BACK!!!

The trip to England was fabulous - lots of great things to see, tried to eat everything - crazy about Bangors and Mash - (sausages with Mashed potatoes) so good. Lots of fish and chips, lots of tea.

Now that I'm back I'm working on my HSS2 socks again, going to be working furiously to finish them up asap so I can start on my felted bag swap.

I ordered a fabulous, specially died yarn for this bag so can't wait to get it and get going.

And my HSS@ partner - I picked up a little something from England to include in my package.

HP sock swap Challenge 1

OK here goes - this is my version of the invisibility shawl/cloak. I crocheted it just because it goes faster - would have much rather knit but just too much going on. I am seriously not photogenic - and I didn't get this draped really good - I wanted it to look like the deatheaters hoods with lots of drape - shows better on the back picture.

Directions:

Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun - color Edwardian. Crochet hook P-16

Shawl:

Chain 30, turn.

Row 1: SC in each chain across, ch 2, turn.

Row 2: DC in each sc across, ch 2 turn

Row 3: Repeat Row 2

Row 4: DC in each sc across, ch 1, turn

Repeat rows 1-4 until desired length. Mine is about 72" long, ending on a sc row.

Hood:

Chain 48. Follow same pattern as shawl, making a square about 18-20"

Fold the square in half, sc across one short side making the top of the hood.

Center the bottom of the hood with the center of the shawl, sc the two pieces together.

Single crochet around the entire shawl/hood.

HP Challenge 2

Six steps to Draco Malfoy - this was a stretch for me - but here goes.

The Dursleys - aunt and uncle to Harry Potter

Harry Potter - best friend to Ron Weasley

Ron Weasley - brother to Ginny Weasley

Ginny Weasley - Riddle diary planted in her Cauldron by Lucious Malfoy


Lucious Malfoy father to Draco Malfoy

Draco Malfoy son to Lucious Malfoy

Felted bag swap Questionnaire

How long have you been knitting or crocheting? How did you learn? or from whom?
I've been knitting and crocheting for probably 40 years - man am I old. My grandmother and one of my aunts taught me to knit. Grandmother taught me to crocket.
What was your first felted object, and why did you decide to try felting? This will be my first felted project - mainly because I love purses.
What are your favorite colors? Any you hate? Don't like red, pink or orange.
What are your favorite styles\types of bags? (Long straps? Short handles? Handbags? Totes? Embellished? Plain? Include links to patterns or photos if you’d like – give your pal an idea of what you enjoy!) Long straps - will drape over my shoulder if possible. I like larger types - because I carry too much stuff, like to have room for a book.
What handbag or bag are you carrying today? Do you use a separate bag to carry your knitting?
Today I carrying a denim zipper top with an appliqued dog on the front. I carry a separate bag for knitting projects.
What other things do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? My latest craze has been socks, but I've made just about anything that can be made.
What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? (straights vs circs, bamboo vs aluminum) Depends on the project. I like bamboo for socks, larger projects I like circulars. Haven't used bamboo circulars yet.
What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make? A felted purse :) and I want to make some of those long fingerless gloves - those look so great.
What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with? nothing specific - always like to try new things.
What other hobbies do you have? Do you spin? Sew? Garden? I sew and quilt (OK it's sewing) and read. I have an herb garden but I'm not much of a gardener. I also make handmade soaps.
Besides yarn, do you collect anything? too much stuff - I am starting to do some scrapping and card making - have way more books than is decent.
What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty? Anything you hate or are allergic to?
either/or - don't care for anise or licorice
Do you have any kiddos? (Furry kind count!) two grown sons, two kitty babies and one large choc lab.
What kind of project best personifies you and why? this is a tough one - I'm a real homebody and mom-type person, so probably something cozy.
What is your favorite part of Autumn? You can also share a special Autumn memory if you'd prefer! Love the smell and the feel in the air. It's my favorite time of year - also my birthday and my brother's birthdays are in the fall. Lots of good fall memories.
Tell us 3 things you would do if you won 10 million dollars in the lottery.

Pay off my son's house and get something for the other one.
Help my inlaws - just found out the FIL has cancer again.
Take a trip around Scotland and Ireland.

Whew - I think this is everything. Purple is my favorite color - can you tell? :) Oh and I'm a Harry Potter fan!

Horcrux socks

I tried to get a good picture of the design but it doesn't show too great in the variegated yarn.