Rowan's Knitting Bliss

I've been tagged ~ people I Admire

2006-04-12T20:51:00.000-07:00

First, I'll have to break the rules and talk about 3 people the I would most like to sit with, and thank for their service to humanity. Then I'll somewhat follow the rule and list people I admire. ~Mother Theresa, for her selfless giving to the poor, the people who needed her most. She served with humility. She changed our world with her gift of love. ~His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, the grace and dignity to which he has shared his beliefs; and as with Mother Theresa, his dedication to his convictions. ~Jimmy Carter, for his service--a man who changes the world each day by helping others with his own hands through habitat for humanity. People I admire & make my life a better one. Everyone that knows me will not have to guess who would be front & center-- My husband. To say that I admire him is an understatement, selfless to his very core (Friends call St. Rick--behind his back ;-) He worked two jobs to put me through grad sch.--never complained. Works as a Special Education Teacher for the Severe and Profoundly Mentally handicapped, has dedicated his life to making theirs a better one and educating others about their capabilities. His loyality and love for his family his unending. My friends who have stood by me through horrible bouts of Restless Leg Syndrome--have listened, offered help and cheered me on, loved me & supported my talents with words of encouragement. And helped me be a better mother. To my son, who has taught me more about myself--than I ever imagined, how to be selfless, how to make mistakes, learn from them and move on. He's taught me that it's not hard to remember what's important-----in this crazy world--it's quite simple --give love & reap the rewards! (He's 3-smart guy ;- uh! all that wisdom!) And my Mother who taught me the value perseverance & hardwork. Now my turn to tag! ummm... I'll post my tag asap! (need to think this over ;-)! I was tagged by Kelly- http://kellyshults.blogspot.com/
what's this

Hourglass!

2006-04-05T19:21:00.000-07:00

I checked my gauge recently and came up with 24 =4"--eeeks! (The gauge should be 19 = 4")I took it off the needles & tried it on--and it fit, as it should (style wise) --but would of liked a little more room. I'm just darn pleased it fits! I learned a valuable lesson here--swatch in the round. The gauge changes because of those pesty purls!

Peter Rabbit ~ Beatrix Potter

2006-04-05T19:06:00.000-07:00

I created this Painting while pregnant with my son ~starting my love for creating quality art for children.
It is 5' x 5'!

Personalized Name Plaque in Pink Polk a dot

2006-03-31T22:55:00.000-08:00

$15 Meant to blog this to my Http://flutterbyart.blogspot.com/. Nice Eye candy--check out Flutterby to see more of my art work for children.

shale lace scarf

2006-03-28T14:59:00.000-08:00

My very own toe up sock!

2006-03-01T18:28:00.000-08:00

I'm celebrating my recovery from a horrid 3 weeks of 24-7 restless leg syndrome by knitting some Toe up socks. I used the turkish Cast on (c.o. 24 sts. --less would have been better, a little on the big side) and am using 2 circulars. I am using Hellchick's pattern http://www.hellchick.net/. It's a great basic pattern that you can personalize. The yarn is knitpicks "Dancing" (I forget the exact color) but am not crazy about the color mixture--yellow, orange and red-- uhggg. I love the that it is a cotton yarn with a little nylon mixed in~~I will definitely buy more of the "Dancing" but in a different color.

2006-02-21T16:44:00.000-08:00

Things I create besides knitting. Name Plaques in pink or Lavendar (polka a dot), boy stripe and boy denim with red or black
lettering. Jewelry and knitting markers.

2006-02-19T17:38:00.000-08:00

One of the Paintings I created for "flutterby" Art for Children series. Each painting is one ofd a kind & completely original. This one is 81/2 x 11 ~acrylic on canvas. I love doing work for Children. I also do murals for adults and children. This one sells for $45. I'll post more in the future.

2006-02-18T14:24:00.000-08:00

2006-02-14T13:46:00.000-08:00

2006-02-13T20:45:00.000-08:00

Blogging is a great way to get even with knitting (I'll never get it )woes. You go back to blog and rediscover your previous knitting delimma only to have figured it all out and moved on to the next problem. I only wish I had documented my early knitting days--I am sure I would be falling out my chair laughing.

Sock is coming along nicely, completed the cuff and moved on to the heel. It is going painfully slow~I was forwarned by some very wise knitters that I should not attempt my 1st sock in a size 2. I tested the needles in the store (using a st.) not bad, a little small. But of course the reality is that I am doing anything but row after row of st. stitch. I do like the sock fabric that the 2 creates. My only concern at this point is that I may not complete the pair of socks for the olympics. I'll keep plugging away. Pictures to come tomorrow.

2006-02-11T20:10:00.000-08:00

Went to lys and picked up sock yarn (sockatta) and 2 circular (size 2!!) for the Kal olympics. Nothing has clicked so far, have C.O. on 4 x. Headed for #5. Maybe a picture tomorrow when I have something to show for my sweat & tears.

(all in days work for an olympian like myself)

Good luck to all fellow Olympians --GAME ON!

One day I'll look back & wonder........................

2006-02-10T18:40:00.000-08:00

How in the bl**p (insert your favorite ) did I survive the "toddler" days. I spent the entire day with 15 toddlers at a Valentine's party. My son and I arrived promptly (no easy task) dressed, hair hit with the palm of my hand (won't get near a brush)clean nose, shoes on. 3 hours later we left dishevelled (& not the poliished dishevelled look honed by a neo grunger), covered in every imaginable shade of red, hair sticky (nothin' I would put my palm on-motherhood does have limits!), missing a shoe--I, missing my brain. My son was high as a kite from all the sugar, me from an overhold of pasta and chocolate~both twitching like chihuahuas. Zoom to 6 hours after the party; my son still zooming around chatting it up about the party, wanting *juice, *summner to eat...maw(repeat til' your mind goes numb) and you get the gist. Of course we had some fine moments today--lots o' love ya maw, couple slimy kisses and plenty of giggles.

Umm...knitting. I knitted 3 rows and put it down. oh...maybe tommorrow will bring lots of spare time for peaceful knitting. Boy, when I think of the 14 years of prime knitting time, before our son was born, makes me swoon. I spent those years teaching, reading, sewing & painting & a few knitted swatches.

2006-02-06T11:28:00.000-08:00

The Sweater is moving along nicely. I'd post a picture, but it's pretty boring--just monotous stockinette stitch.....enough to make you go crazy. I generally love numb minding knitting. My mind is mostly in high gear, so a little repetition never hurts. ahhh...but The "Hourglass" has me running for something complicated--like maybe lace, but that's just boredom talking--something a little less intricate is in order...a Sock!! It fits the bill, requires little yarn, will be an adventure (it will be my 1st pair of socks), plus I love socks.

2006-01-30T14:16:00.000-08:00

phew! wipe the sweat from my brow and while you're at it bring me some Sweeet tea! I finished the darn hem. It looks good. I don't think I took a breath while picking up the 194 stitches. I knitted the hem on using the "nothin but my t-shirt" technique. It worked like a charm--but, I did have to add some extra steps to ensure I picked up all the stitches. I ran a cotton yarn through the stitches and added markers every 10 stitches. I think if I do this Sweater again I'll use the provisional cast on--which will totally simplify the process.

Last night, feeling brave (f-o-o-lish) I decided to see if the sweater was going to fit, so I decided to step into the sweater, of course stiches went flying everywhere, spent an 11/2 fixing the crazy horror--lost at least 7 rows in the process. What is it about knitting that makes me totally lose my mind? I could have lost the entire thing! Now, that I have walked on the wild side (crazy) I'm going to live a good clean life, and just knit! I wish I had a picture of me trying to wiggle my arse through the bottom of my eeny teeney sweater................LOL! Better yet, a picture of the look on my face when the stitches started flying.

2006-01-24T00:59:00.000-08:00

I've made some progress on the Hourglass
I've cast on and knitted 5 rows.
I'm ready to purl & then deal with the hem
My plan is to mark every 5 stitches to ensure the hem stitches line up.

2006-01-24T00:38:00.000-08:00

My First Sweater!
Hourglass Sweater ~from "Last Minute Gifts" by Joelle Hoverson
Yarn I'll be using: the lovely Cascade Pima Melange in denim.
This was not my first choice for the sweater, but didn't get gauge with the lovely debbie bliss cotton/wool. I was pleasantly surprised by the Cascade. The demim is a middle range demin color and it has a heathered look which will give the sweater some depth ~as opposed to being solid-one color, flat! I should pictures soon.