This is how Knitters do it

The Musical One bought a condo. This is her first house. The knitting ladies all got together to make a throw for her living room.  It still needs a good steam - but I ran out of time.  Each stripe in the throw was knit by someone different.  Just about everyone was from Washington but there were a few participants from the East Coast - you know because her sister lives over there and another friend who loves her and wanted to help.

It looks good with her furniture and paint and should keep her warm this winter when she turns the heat down. 

White Light

Today is a big day.  My friend Sissy is having surgery today.

Please send her lots of white light and good wishes.

It's also The Princess' (I'd link to her blog, but she claims to be too busy to update!)

25th birthday.  So write on her wall, send her an email, of load her blog withs comments.

Finally - The Musical One passed an important work test.

We are very proud.

Happy Quarter of a Century!

This post is late - sorry about that, but JB had the laptop which has the camera software all day! Seriously. Anyway - yesterday, Flag Day if you will - The Musical One celebrated 25 years on the planet. She has grown into a remarkable young woman who is dependable, responsible and smart. We are very proud of you. That lovely shrug she is wearing was made by her very own sister - The Princess. In the front seat (looking bored as all get out) is our favorite third child, Miss L. The Musical One had plans lined up for all day with her friends yesterday so as her parents we weren't included in birthday celebrations. She also happens to be dog sitting for a very elderly beagle right now, so she spends a lot of time with the dog. But we will take her out for a combined birthday Father's Day dinner next weekend. Happy Birthday - we are proud of you and love you :)

Reclaimed Yarn

This morning while I was getting ready to leave the house. I noticed there were 2 hand knit sweaters in my closet that I didn't love. They were scratchy or too short or something - but they just didn't get worn. They were bulky too, so they were taking up more than their fair share of closet space. So, instead of knitting - I threw both sweaters into my bag to take to knit night. And that's what I did - reclaimed yarn. It wasn't being worn. The first is a beautiful bulky wool. It has been given to The Musical One and she is now knitting a new scarf playing with yarn overs and knit 2 togethers. She still hasn't taken a class to learn to purl. Frankly - there's not much you can do with just knitting.

The second reclaimed yarn was Noro Silk Garden. This had been a sleeveless turtleneck shell knit in a mock cable pattern. Even sleeveless this top used 6 balls of Noro - it wasn't inexpensive. It was lovely, the colors were rich and vibrant - but I did.not.like.it. So more yarn for The Musical One. I will be searching Ravelry for knit only patterns.

Won't these make fabulous holiday gifts? I hope she enjoys knitting with them.

Flattered!

The Musical One ("TMO") has never had any desire to learn any of my hobbies. She doesn't sew, she has no interest and frankly I haven't sewn for her since she was in 1st grade - other than prom dresses. A couple of weeks ago my phone rang while I was at knitting night. It was TMO, she said "I think I want to learn to knit. Do you know where I can take a class?" Nope, I said. Actually, I said of course. I hooked her up with the owner of my LYS. She called and scheduled a private lesson. They are quite reasonable - it was $20 after buying needles and some more yarn (I sent her with 'good stuff') she spent less than $50 and has the materials to make 2 scarfs. I haven't paid too much attention, because I don't want her to loose interest if I'm interested. Anyway, she's a true lefty - she moving her fabric from the needle in her right hand to her left, but she's tensioning in her right hand. I think she's doing a combination of picking and throwing. But like I said - I'm not paying too much attention. At this point she only knows how to knit and will take another lesson to learn purling. The yarn I gave her was 2 balls of Noro Silk Garden. It was left over from a past project. So - are you ready for this - her first class was yesterday. This photo was taken before dinner and by the time she went home for the evening - she had a length of fabric 15 stitches wide by about 14" long! She might already be addicted because after we were done eating, she said to JB "Will you hand me my knitting?" Sometimes you just have to wait for them to decide what you are doing is cool. I'm flattered that she's finally decided that making stuff is okay. Happy Knitting everyone.

The Musical One

On Saturday, Flag Day, also known as June 14th - The Musical One turned 24. I had the post composed in my head on Friday-it's just taken this long to get it to the blog. Happy Birthday! You are a smart, beautiful, responsible adult and I'm proud to be your mother.

Black Shoes

I did finally manage to get out and go shopping for basic boring black pumps. I found both pairs at Payless and they really are basic, boring black pumps. The pair on the right has a 2.5" heel and a strap across the high instep - just under the ankle - but not around.

This pair (besides being really hard to photograph) has a higher heel and a little patent trim and bow on the front. They carry both of these style in a very nice brown, but had neither in my size - darn it!

On a side note - all weekend while composing this post (it was hard and took a ton of energy - you don't know!) I keep hearing the girls Girl Scout Song "Black Socks" running through my head. It's meant to be sung in rounds and goes like this:

Black Socks

They Never Get Dirty

The Longer You Wear Them

The Stronger They Get

Sometimes

I Think I Should Wash Them

But Something Inside Me

Tells Me Not Yet, Not Yet, Not Yet

The last year that both The Musical One and The Princess went to Girl Scout camp together they sang that song the entire drive home. I have never forgotten it. Scary, huh?