knitting

Ode To Fall Jacket

2010-12-31T08:05:00.000-08:00

So I'm not much of a blogger - but I am a knitter and have produced lots, but I never get around to photographing them. But tonight, for your viewing pleasure, my hot-off-the-needles jacket.

Last year when I was raking leaves and enjoying all the reds, oranges, greens and brown, and the way the leaves all overlapped, I decided to design a sweater that had that spirit. Well this is it - it took a long time to find the right yarn (Silk Garden) and decide how to capture the spirit of the leaves at different angles and directions.

Penguin Sweaters

2010-12-27T07:26:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

I thought I'd let you all see what the well-dressed penguin is wearing these days in Astralia. Here's a link to an article,
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Knitters-save-endangered-penguins-lives/2006/04/07/1143916701251.html
but although they certainly do look like fashionistas, the reason is very practical and sad. It is a way of helping their bodies cope with the traumas of oil spills.

Coolest Holiday Store Window Decoration

2010-12-20T19:17:00.000-08:00

We were in Munich at the end of November and our last day there one of the department stores did their holiday windows. This was by far the best - the needles moved and she concentrated. Never dropped a stitch!

Phat Contest Alert!

2010-03-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

New phat giveaway at http://phatfiber.blogspot.com. Take a chance to win some gorgeous MINK yarn. Wow!

New Contest

2010-03-26T08:50:00.000-07:00

Nadine (http://nadinescrafts.blogspot.com/) is opening a new etsy store and having a contest to celebrate. Go over, check out her shop, and wish her well!

Contest Alert

2010-02-23T18:27:00.000-08:00

Here's a fun giveaway for the chance to win a gorgeous shawl pattern:

http://coloursfromchaos.blogspot.com/2010/02/first-giveaway.html#comments

Go check it out!

Fun Contest

2010-01-25T08:34:00.000-08:00

Darcy and Dani of Sunshine Yarns are having a giveaway. Please go over to http://darcyknottyknitter.blogspot.com/ enter and tell them I sent you. I hope to win, but if I don't, maybe you will! The prize is some lovely yarn by Sunshine Yarns.

Coolest Holiday Store Window Decoration

2009-12-30T19:08:00.000-08:00

We were in Munich in late November, and the last day we were there, one of the department stores did they holiday windows. All the typical moving animals, but this was by far the best. The needles moved, and she really concentrated on her knitting. I had to share this with anyone stopping by.

New Contest

2009-10-11T21:56:00.000-07:00

Here's a chance to win a magazine and needles for answering a question. Just go over to http://starryeyedsurprise24.blogspot.com/ and answer the question and maybe you'll be the winner (although I do hope I am :-) )

Fun Contest With Great Prizes

2009-08-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

Go over to http://www.annettesacre.com/stitchblog/?p=199&cpage=2#comment-8770 and wish her a happy blogiversary. Fabulous prizes that I would love to win!

I just found out that there is both a book and knitting contest to celebrate her blogiversary. Go and enter both!

Yet Another Phat Contest to Enter

2009-06-06T20:00:00.000-07:00

Another fiber giveaway. Check out Ricky's website by following the link in the Phat Fiber post: http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/2009/06/silver-sun-alpacas-giveaway.html

A New Phat Giveaway

2009-05-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a chance to win beautiful yarn.

Go to http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/2009/05/we-love-thor-giveaway.html and you'll find a great new opportunity to win. Pick out something you love on We love Thor website and comment on it.

Another Phat Giveaway

2009-03-25T12:08:00.000-07:00

Northern Lights Fiber is today's generous donor. Go to http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/2009/03/northern-lights-fiber-company-and.html, follow the pointer to Northern Lights shop, pick out something you love and enter for a chance to win.

New Phat Giveaway

2009-03-24T06:13:00.000-07:00

Go over to http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/2009/03/zebisis-and-giveaway.html and follow the link to Zebisis's site and mention something you really like there.

Red Scarf Project

2008-08-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

I just learned about a new chance to do some charity knitting. The Red Scarf Project asks for ... well you guessed it, red scarfs to distributed through the

Orphan Foundation of America
The Red Scarf Project
21351 Gentry Drive
Sterling, VA 20166

For more information go to: http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com/now_norma_knits_2/2008/08/225-its-that-ti.html

Last year they distributed 15,000 scarves for the holidays to people who will undoubtedly appreciate knowing that someone who doesn't even know them cares.

Free Tibet

2008-08-08T09:24:00.000-07:00

None of us are free until ALL of us are free!

In order to raise awareness of the plight of Tibetans, people are being asked to post this message on their blogs.

Go visit http://wbnm.typepad.com/pomogo/2008/08/free-tibet-a-co.html?cid=125735926#comment-125735926

and also Students for a Free Tibet: http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/ for more information

Fun Animal Contest

2008-08-08T01:39:00.000-07:00

A new contest to enter. Go over and guess how many pets she's had.

http://knitandpurr.blogspot.com/2008/08/its-contest-time.html

A new Contest to enter

2008-08-06T10:26:00.000-07:00

Fun contest at http://addictedtoknitting.wordpress.com/. Tell her you non-traditions for a chance to win. And if you do enter, please tell her I sent you giving me a chance to win. Since there are multiple prizes, it's a win-win situation :-)

Another great contest

2008-07-17T21:35:00.000-07:00

Amia Yarn Company has just started and they're celebrating with a great contest. So go over to:

http://knitwitchblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/contest-time-again.html

and give it a try.

A 5th! Blogiversary Contest

2008-07-02T21:12:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it! Someone who has been blogging for 5 years.

Go visit Marilyn at http://mvwindwalker.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-blogoversary.html

wish her a happy blogiversary, and please tell her I sent you over.

A 2 Year Blogiversary Contest

2008-06-29T18:16:00.000-07:00

Go over and wish http://mspalmtree.blogspot.com/ a happy 2 year blogiversary and please tell her I sent you!

sock story contest

2008-06-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

Go to http://theknittingwildflower.blogspot.com/2008/06/blogiversary-contest-begins-and-waht-i.html

and tell your sock story. You have a chance to win a nice package of goodies.

Where do you store your stash contest

2008-06-25T06:24:00.000-07:00

A new contest to describe the weirdest place you've stored stash is going on at http://purlthis.blogspot.com/ Some of the ideas are ... creative.

Blogiversary contest

2008-06-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

What keeps you reading a blog contest over at http://darcyknottyknitter.blogspot.com/2008/06/200th-post-blog-party-drawing.html

Go on over and tell her I sent you.

Sock Yarn Advice

2008-06-07T15:03:00.000-07:00

Go over to http://gingersnapswtea.blogspot.com/2008/05/my-first-contest.html and give her some advice on what to do with her enormous sock yarn stash. Suggestions should be for things other than socks!

Favorite Sock Yarn Contest

2008-06-03T16:11:00.001-07:00

Simply Socks Yarn Company is having a contest. Tell them your favorite sock yarn for a chance to win a prize. Look at http://simplysockyarn.typepad.com/simply_socks_yarn_co/2008/06/find-a-deal-join-the-contest.html
for details.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

2008-05-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

The Yarn Yenta is having a contest to raise awareness of IBC. Go over to her website http://yarnyenta.blogspot.com/2008/05/so-i-had-to-tell-becka-first-but-i-cut.html and post something you've learned about IBC. Better yet, go donate your hair to Locks of Love. My daughter has done it 3 times in about 4 years, and I've done it once. You'll be amazed how much better you look and feel with less hair, knowing that some sick child doesn't have to look bald on top of everything else!

Give inspiration contest

2008-05-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

So, The Bag Lady is having trouble deciding what to do with some great-looking yarn. Go on over to http://yarnfamily.com/blog1/2008/05/24/anne-every-which-wayslowly/ and give her some inspiration.

Summer Contest

2008-05-24T06:02:00.000-07:00

It's over 100 degrees in Texas while it's been cold, wet and dreary here. Enter her I-hate-summer-contest at http://ridiculousobsession.blogspot.com/2008/05/where-o-where.html

Leave a Funny Caption Contest

2008-05-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

Here's another chance to win a prize - all you need to do it come up with the wittiest caption.l

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=419226494961765951&postID=3284388755320740101&page=1

And this time there is also a prize for the most referrals so PLEASE tell her I sent you

Summer Reading Suggestion Contest

2008-05-08T14:46:00.001-07:00

Here's a chance to win one of 4 prizes - enough for both you and me to win. Go to

http://oneschemeofhappiness.typepad.com/home/2008/05/blog-contest-bl.html?cid=113865574#comment-113865574

and suggest a book or two.

And PLEASE tell her I sent you!

2008-05-08T14:46:00.000-07:00

An Encouragement Contest

2008-04-24T09:31:00.000-07:00

A knitter is entering a cancer walk in a few months and says she's really out of shape and needs encouragement.

So go on over and give her the encouragement she needs

http://dillydallyknitter.blogspot.com/2008/04/wish-me-luck-contest.html

Another Blogiversary contest

2008-04-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

In this one you have to guess what fibers she has photos of. I gave it a try. Now you go over, give it a try, wish her a happy blogiversary, and please say that I sent you.

http://brileyknits.blogspot.com/2008/04/blogiversary-contest.html

A Blogiversary Contest

2008-04-24T05:08:00.000-07:00

Kate is having a contest to celebrate her blogiversary. Go over to http://mustkeepknitting.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/its-been-a-year/#comment-391
and wish her a happy one.

Also take a look at her etsy shop - lots of lovely things.

Under-posted Blog Contest

2008-04-20T06:43:00.000-07:00

So lots of us just lurk around, and don't do too well at blogging because, afterall, no one stops by anyway since they are just lurking. Sort of a vicious cycle right?

So there's a new contest at Irisheyes, a blog I like to visit since it's friendly, has nice photos, and just strikes me as fun. To enter you have to go and post on a blog that doesn't get lots of traffic.

http://irisheyesknitters.blogspot.com/2008/04/friendly-confines-contest.html

What's Your Favorite Color Combo Contest

2008-04-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

Enter at http://modestpurls.blogspot.com/2008/04/contest-come-and-play.html

Just tell her your favorite color combo and you're in!

grandma contest

2008-03-28T14:52:00.000-07:00

Stacy is having her first contest at http://knittingtart.blogspot.com/2008/03/my-very-first-blog-contest.html

Stop by and tell her about your Grandma for a chance to win a prize.

Fun Contest with Cute Dog Photos

2008-03-26T16:26:00.001-07:00

Bea at http://bea-blacksheep.blogspot.com/ is having a contest to guess what her dogs love doing. Take a stab at it and tell her I sent you over.

Spring Flower Contest

2008-03-23T17:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Handwork is having a celebrate spring contest at:

http://cinnamongirl93.blogspot.com/2008/03/celebrate-spring-contest.html

Please go over and visit, tell her I sent you, and let her know your favorite flower.

Mine is lilacs - the color, the smell, the beauty!

Goals Contest

2008-03-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

Skeins Her Way is having a goals contest. Go over to http://www.skeinsherway.com/2008/03/spring-2008-knitting-goals-contest.html and tell her I sent you so I can win a prize when you get picked!

Another Cool Contest

2008-03-08T20:43:00.000-08:00

A mother/daughter team are planning on opening a LYS and would like to find the answer to some questions.

So stop by http://enchantedyarnandfiber.blogspot.com/2008/03/yarn-contest-and-giveaway.html
and TELL THEM I SENT YOU PLEASE.

Favorite Dessert Contest

2008-03-04T20:04:00.000-08:00

OK Folks, here's another contest opportunity at http://knitandrip.blogspot.com/2008/02/bloganniversary-contest.html. Go over, tell her your favorite dessert and tell her I sent you please!

Cool Etsy shop and New Contest to Enter

2008-03-03T18:47:00.001-08:00

http://nhknittingmama.blogspot.com/2008/03/pms-contest.html is having a PMS (promote my shop) contest. She has beautiful yarn on her etsy shop. Go take a look! And please tell her I sent you!

St Patty's Contest

2008-03-02T09:52:00.000-08:00

For some beautiful (green, of course) roving. Tell your favorite St Patty's day story.

Go over to http://spinknitup.blogspot.com/2008/02/st-pattys-contest.html and tell her I sent you!

1000th Post Contest

2008-02-21T11:07:00.001-08:00

Wow - I can't believe someone is celebrating 1000 posts. So go over and congratulate her

http://knitinggal.blogspot.com/2008/02/one-thousand-approaching.html

2008-02-11T16:13:00.000-08:00

A Valentine's Contest

2008-02-08T08:40:00.000-08:00

Barknknit (http://barknknit.blogspot.com/) is having a Valentine's contest.

Go over, tell her how you met you SO and tell her I sent you (please)

What you love about spring contest

2008-02-04T06:30:00.001-08:00

LaVerna is having a contest about what you love about spring.

http://ridiculousobsession.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-am-still-alive-and-giveaway.html

A Contest, A Contest, Another Funny Contest

2008-02-02T14:30:00.000-08:00

This is a how-do-you-get-out-of-the-doldrums contest.

So check out: http://notprettytowatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/contest.html

Another Chance to Win

2008-02-02T14:11:00.000-08:00

Tami is having a 100 post contest.

Go on over, wish her a happy, and tell her I pointed you to her.

http://olsensinboise.blogspot.com/2008/01/happy-100th-post-contest.html

I'm becoming a contest blog!

2008-01-31T07:19:00.000-08:00

Go on over to http://houseofwool.blogspot.com/ and wish her a happy 2 year blogiversary for a chance to win a prize. And tell her Elaine sent you!

and another contest to enter

2008-01-27T06:07:00.000-08:00

There's a blogiversary contest going on at:

http://knitmetotheendoftime.blogspot.com/

Hope on over and tell her why you blog.

Another Contest for you to enter

2008-01-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

If you run over here before 1/29, you can enter a contest and maybe win a surprise prize

http://bellybuttonknits.blogspot.com/

Ye Gads It's Been Awhile and a contest post

2008-01-20T08:11:00.000-08:00

I said I wasn't a blogger - I'm a knitter and who wants to waste my time blogging about knitting while I could be doing the real thing!

But I am posting this today to let you know about a new contest that is being held at
http://knitwitchblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/birthday-contest_11.html

Go over, wish her a happy birthday and tell her about your funniest, most embarrassing moments.

A Contest Pointer

2007-11-25T17:02:00.000-08:00

Jane is having a contest at http://janevdoviak.blogspot.com/2007/12/300-post-contest.html
to celebrate 300 posts. 300 posts - can you believe it!!

So go over and give it a try - all you have to do is tell her something weird about yourself. And tell her I sent you over.

Amanda

2007-11-05T05:44:00.000-08:00

Amanda (http://amanda-knits.blogspot.com/) is a law student and knitter. She was having a tough time and had a contest and I was among the winners. Yesterday my prize arrived - an absolutely gorgeous skein of Colinette Jitterbug. The colors are so vibrant and the yarn so soft. Thanks so much Amanda for your very generous prize. I absolutely love it and it couldn't have come at a better time for me!

Amanda has some photos of some very sweet recently-knit baby caps, not to mention some ultra-huggable alpacas (llamas?). Go on over and visit Amanda and say hi.

When I Didn't Go to Rhinebeck

2007-10-25T20:08:00.000-07:00

So everyone who went to Rhinebeck is flashing all their stuff, making the rest of us jealous so I thought I'd show you what I didn't get when I didn't go. :-) (Actually this is Karrie's idea). I admit it isn't flashy but it will make 2 beautiful sweaters!

New Contest

2007-10-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

The lovelies at Irisheyes are having a contest:

http://irisheyesknitters.blogspot.com/

Take a look at their photo and you'll see what happens when you spend all your time knitting and have no time for eating!

Preemie and Newborn Hats

2007-10-03T14:13:00.000-07:00

Pam is trying to collect 250 baby caps by the end of October so we've just finished 12 to help her reach the goal. Here is a photo of them before I ship them out.

I Just Won Markers

2007-09-30T07:10:00.000-07:00

Chris at http://dropstitchknitter.wordpress.com/ had a contest and she just sent mail saying I was one of the winners of a beautiful set of stitch markers from her etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=47644). Go on over and take a look at them and order some! They are really great-looking!

Thanks Chris.

Elaine and Arja in Amsterdam

2007-09-24T11:02:00.001-07:00

I "met" Arja on the Hannealong blog site, and then really met her when we visited Amsterdam. She brought along her Ballerina sweater (being held) which was still in progress but looked beautiful. Arja is on the left and I am slumping on the right. I must remember to use better posture!

My Prize Arrived

2007-09-21T13:05:00.001-07:00

I won the contest at Caffeinated Knitter (http://caffeinatedknitter.wordpress.com/) and the prize just arrived. It's great! Lovely shades of pink. If you scroll down on the link you'll see a very nice photo of it.

And while you're visiting her website, go and visit her new etsy shop where I'm sure she'll be selling cleaver and lovely "edible" yarns.

Thanks again Bridget!

I really have to take some photos

2007-09-20T20:37:00.000-07:00

I've just finished a jacket (not quite sewn together yet), and started a new one using Noro Silk Garden in color 84. I thought it was much more reds than it is - or rather less (or no) greens and browns, and was initially rather disappointed since it just was not my sort of colors which are almost always purples, blues, sometimes reds. But I'm knitting it in multi-directions and I think I will actually wind up liking it a lot. We'll see. And one of these days I'm going to surprise everyone with a jillion photos.

No new contests to announce today - I'm too busy to look.

Another Contest

2007-09-15T17:58:00.000-07:00

Well the others are over, but here's a new one to try:

http://beckyknitstoo.blogspot.com/2007/09/contest-contest.html

put you better hurry - tomorrow's the deadline!

Yet Another Contest to Enter

2007-08-19T10:15:00.000-07:00

Rachel is having a fun contest. Go on over to http://timesweareliving.blogspot.com/2007/08/its-time-to-return-generosity-contest.html
and tell her I sent you!

I could become a contest junkie very easily.

STR

2007-08-14T21:07:00.000-07:00

My prize from the sheep pelt contest just arrived - a skein of STR in the Rolling Stone colorway. I am so excited.

Thanks so much Janice!

A Really Great Contest

2007-08-13T16:10:00.000-07:00

Hey anyone out there reading this - go on over to

http://goldenpurl.blogspot.com/2007/08/contest.html

and tell her I sent you!

She's having a really great contest!

Some Thoughts on Being a Winner

2007-08-13T15:21:00.000-07:00

So, why has winning these contests felt so important to me? It's true, everyone loves to win, and getting a package in the mail is great - I think I'll never outgrow the excitement of ripping off the paper on a package.

But right now, I've had health issues, and that makes me feel like a loser and very vulnerable, so having the streak of wins makes me feel like - wow, maybe things are turning the corner. Now I don't think of myself as superstitious, or what my friend Jay calls a Wooey-wooey, but still ...

I am writing this knowing that likely no one will read it, and if they do, they won't know who I am. It is just introspection for now.

Yet Another Win

2007-08-09T05:39:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it! I've won another contest at www.knitflix.blogspot.com. She had won a sheep pelt and asked for funny suggestions on what to do with it and that moved me to poetry. There was supposed to be only one winner but I won a prize because she thought my entry was creative. Creative - do you hear that? That sounds like I won for skill rather than dumb luck and that feels really great!

So go on over to the blog and read my poem!

I have to admit that I really never was into blogging - I just started this with no intention of blogging except to be part of a KAL. During the TdF KAL I really enjoyed seeing everyone's projects so I started getting into it. Maybe if I can get it together to do this more, and get some regular visitors, I'll run a contest since I know how much I've enjoyed winning.

Thanks again - I'm very excited!

Another Prize

2007-08-04T18:17:00.000-07:00

Sarah of Blue Garter fame sent me a prize from her contest of 2 balls of Manos and I really love it. It's sort of a periwinkle color (one of the semi-solids) and it is subtle and beautiful. I have to think what I'm going to knit with my new acquisitions but hopefully something fabulous.

My TdF KAL Prize Arrived

2007-08-02T19:32:00.000-07:00

And I really really love it. It's a skein of Mountain Colors worsted and I couldn't have picked more perfect colors myself. I am so happy about it. I should manage to take a photo of it, but I just got home from work (10:30 pm) and it's 90 degrees here still, and I don't have A/C and so I just ate some ice cream and I want to collapse.

But I had to say how great I feel about winning and how much I love the prize.

Oh yeah - it's tomorrow am and I'm back at work. I forgot to mention the other part of the prize - yellow sock-shaped point protectors. It's not the yellow jersey but it's close enough!

Thanks Debby and Meg!

Winning a Contest or maybe 2

2007-07-31T21:28:00.000-07:00

I was sure I posted that I won the second stage TdF KAL contest, but I can't find the post. So ... either thanks or thanks again to Debby and Meg for the whole KAL and hosting the contest. As soon as I get my prize I'll let you all know what it is. Ooooh - I'm so excited!

And ye gads - I may have won another contest. Sarah at http://bluegarter.org/ was having a TdF-related contest to guess when she would finish her Brigitte sweater (which looks really great - go over and take a look!). I almost won - I got the day correct and was a few minutes farther away from the actual time than Mamie - I was 48 minutes off while she was 43 minutes off (but I erred on the optimistic side while she erred on the pessimistic side and I like being positive). Like the Price is Right - I was closest without going over.

I got mail from Sarah today saying that because it was so close, she is going to have a runner-up prize. Hey - that's really cool!

Thanks, Sarah, I hope.

end of the TdF KAL

2007-07-29T14:16:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's over. Everything about it has been wonderful - the daily update on the race, all the great projects, definitely the best KAL I've been on (and the only one that got me to blog and even to figure out how to post photos.) Hopefully I'll continue now that it's over.

Thanks once again to the organizers!

La Jaquette Tres Chic

2007-07-28T08:06:00.001-07:00

Well, I haven't gotten to block the pieces yet, or sew it together, obviously, but at least the knitting is all done. The photo does not do justice to it - it looks like plain stockinette, but in fact there is a broad band down each front that is knit with double yarn on a larger sized needle and so is much thicker than the back and rest of the front. That means knitting the fronts with dangling needles which is definitely a strange technique. The broad cuff on the sleeves is also of the doubled yarn. The sleeves are sort of flared and there will be a shawl collar which is hard to see in the photo.

TdF KAL

2007-07-27T16:28:00.000-07:00

OK, OK - I've finished all the knitting part of ma jaquette tres chic. Now to sew it together and get it posted before the end of the TdF!

I've really enjoyed knitting with all of you and sharing the ups and downs of the TdF!

Thanks Debby and Meg!

TdF KAL

2007-07-27T05:39:00.000-07:00

I'm getting down to the wire on my jacket. I have the 2 fronts, sleeves and the back up to the armholes done. I'm still planning to get it done before the end of the race and hopefully I'll have some photos before then too.

A contest pointer

2007-07-26T19:54:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, http://akaijen.typepad.com/jen_knits/2007/07/the-not-a-fool-.html is having a contest, and I get an extra entry if you mention that you found out about it here! So go on over, say I sent you, but please don't win since I want to! :-)

The 3-Sock Pair

2007-07-26T05:45:00.001-07:00

Finally - the famous 3-sock pair. I'll bet you were beginning to wonder whether they exist. Notice I laid them out in sort of a spoke pattern. Speaking of patterns, there's something else to notice - the foot is a different yarn than the cuffs. That is a design feature. My DH stopped by my LYS and surprised me with some yarn from the sale bin. He didn't realize that the reason these yarns were in there were that they were orphans and that you needed 2 50 gr balls for a pair, not one. Hence the 2 yarn sock was developed. So I guess these are the 2 yarn 3 sock pair!

TdF KAL

2007-07-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

I posted the photos last night BEFORE going to the main TdF blogsite to read all of the days comments. I was intent upon finally getting the photos up.

To my great excitement - wahoo! - I learned that I won the prize during this second round. I am so very excited. Thanks so much Meg and Debby. What an up (and just when I really need it!)

TdF photos - first day of Tour in London

2007-07-24T19:25:00.000-07:00

This was Sunday, July 8, 2008 as they came whizzing by in London on the way to the actual start at Greenwich.

TdF photos - time trials in London

2007-07-24T19:16:00.001-07:00

Here are the long-promised photos of the initial time trials in London. The first one shows Buckingham Palace in the background and the hoards of people lining both sides of the road. The second one gives a closer view of another rider. Unfortunately, we've lost track of who the rider is.

TdF KAL

2007-07-24T10:02:00.001-07:00

Well yesterday slipped by without a photo, but I can explain ...

Tonight for sure I'll post the photos we took in London of the initial time trials and the take off through London. Sorry it's taken so long!

TdF KAL

2007-07-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

OK, OK, I just figured out how to post photos I think (I finally looked at the little gadgets on top) and so now all I have to do is get DH to take a photo tonight and I'll post it.

The TdF KAL has really encouraged me to stick with a project (of course there was my 3 sock pair for the plane ride, and there's the other jacket I'm partway through) but I definitely expect to finish my jackette tres chic be the end of the TdF!

TdF KAL

2007-07-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

I'm just about up to the armhole on the second front now - I wish I knew how to post photos so I could show what it looks like - it's so interesting with the dangling needles.

TdF KAL - my project

2007-07-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

I did socks as my project to and from London and Prague. I really don't enjoy knitting socks the way I do sweaters. I generally design my own sweaters and love the creativity of putting together different yarns and textures. But socks are the ultimate travel project - I don't use double pointed needles - I have tiny addi's so I can knit both the cuff and sock body in the round. For the toe and heels I use 2 circulars (I have 2 of the size 2 12" addis and one size 1 12")

I am knitting a jacket which is a rather strange design. It comes from last winter's Vogue. I know, I know, I just said I design my own, but this is a sort of knit-for-hire so I'm doing what they want. As I may have mentioned, the fronts of the jacket are knitted with part using double yarn and part using single with different sized needles. So halfway through each row you either pick up or drop a yarn and change needles and leave one needle dangling. I have finished both sleeves, one front, and am halfway through the second front. I expect to be able to finish the whole thing well before the end of the TdF. Unless I get sidetracked by heat since the yarn is so heavy and wool. I mostly knit in the car on my hour-long commute to work (my husband drives) and so I can always turn up the air conditioning.

TdF KAL

2007-07-20T05:17:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm back in the US, I can do more knitting but it's much tougher to see any of the TdF. At best there is a snippet on the nightly news. Thanks so much to the great descriptions on the KAL!

TDF project

2007-07-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

So my project was a pair of socks to be knit on the plane to and from London. Actually my trip was NY - London - Prague - London - NY.

Not only did I finish it, I wound up finishing a 3 sock pair! I discovered that there was enough yarn to do 3 socks and figured that having an extra would prolong the life of the socks if I can manage to rotate them. Anyone else ever do that?

TDF KAL

2007-07-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

I posted this on the TDF website, but in case you didn't get here from there, here it is.

The big news is that I got to watch the time trials in London. I arrived all jetlagged but dragged myself over and it was worth it. Very cool - big party atmosphere etc. It was hard to get near the front, but patience won out and so I watched some of the later ones up front.

Sunday morning, they went by about a quarter of a block from my hotel. We went out shortly before it began, managed to squeeze in next to a nice guy in the front row, and saw the whole pack whiz (I mean really whiz) by in about 3 seconds. And then it was over.

As for my projects, I finished the pair of socks that were my airplane project. More about the socks on my blog.

TdF KAL

2007-07-06T13:06:00.000-07:00

I found a really nice map of the routes on Saturday and Sunday in London. Both days it's very near our hotel so I plan to go and watch them fly by and cheer. Unfortunately it doesn't go by our window or we could watch from there - definitely would be cool. I'm meeting a British friend with her 3 year old on Sunday and it should be fun watching with her.

TdF KAL

2007-07-05T18:45:00.000-07:00

OK - we're leaving for London tomorrow and I have packed my knitting - my typical plane knitting: a funky pair of socks.

So what's funky about them? Well, I use different yarns for the foot than the cuff. It started with my LYS sale bin which my husband got into not realizing that you needed 2 50gm balls for a pair but now I really sort of like them that way.

The foot on these will be Socka. It may be patterned or it may just be color blops. I'll find out once I get started. The cuffs are Fortissima Colori Socka Color in similar colors (white, blues, grays, black) but it has some glitz in it. Pure funk.

I'll do a simple toe-up sock on very short circular Addi's as soon as it's wide enough.

And then if I finish them I can always buy some yarn in London or Prague. Anyone have any suggestions in Prague? It's my first time there.

TdF KAL

2007-07-04T08:38:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make: I couldn't wait to start my tres chic jacket so I started working on it the other day. I've finished one front and most of a sleeve. I think I'll have to pick another project. I was planning to knit socks on the plane to and from Europe but since I'll want to knit while watching the TdF I think I'll have to bring enough yarn for 2 pairs or better yet, have an excuse to BUY YARN while I'm in London. Too bad I'm supposed to be working for part of the time but luckily NOT for the weekend when the TdF will be going on in London.

TdF KAL - I'm a yellow jersey girl!

2007-07-03T21:46:00.000-07:00

Tour de France KAL - again

2007-07-03T21:37:00.000-07:00

Hey - I'm really getting into this. I've looked up all sorts of TdF events while I'm in London - pretty cool. And I've been dusting off my pretty dusty French which is better than I'd expect given how long it's been since I last studied French.

More soon.

Tour de France in London

2007-07-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

What dumb luck! I'm leaving NY Friday night for London (arriving Saturday am) and I'm staying in a hotel about a block or 2 from the route of the prologue. Maybe I'll be able to catch a glimpse of them whizzing by while Madame Defarge over here knits. :-)

Tour de France KAL

2007-07-02T11:25:00.000-07:00

I've just joined the Tour de France KAL http://tdfkal.blogspot.com/. Sounds like fun! I'll try to manage to post about it.

Trading

2007-05-11T12:35:00.000-07:00

I've become a yarn trade junkie. It is an addiction, but it is fabulous one. I have traded with lots of people, gotten a chance to try all sorts of different yarns, and met all sort of new interesting people. It's an even better addiction than chocolate for oh so many reasons.

I have so many different projects I've knit, that I can't even begin to think about posting photos (not to mention the fact that I don't have a camera and also don't know how to do a photo yet).

There's a first time for everything

2007-05-06T05:41:00.000-07:00

I've been knitting since I was 5 years old, which is a very long time ago. I've resisted blogging till now but ... well it's time.