Bye Bye 2014!

Can you believe that today is the last Monday of 2014?  Where has the time gone?  Have you made goals for 2015?  Did you meet your goals of 2014?  I did make some 'generic' goals for 2015.....and I made about 1/2 of my 2014 goals.....not all of them, but I did okay.  My biggest goal of 2014 was to knit more than I did in 2013....and I met that goal, so that felt good!

In 2015, I really want to finish some WIPS that have just been hanging out for too long (because I got interested in other things).....In trying to do this.....I was crazy knitter these last few days.  First....Paige said that I 'promised' her the Breezy Cardigan for Christmas....I do not remember making that promise....but I worked like crazy and got it to her just a couple days late.  She was okay with the dye lot issue (she actually liked the way it looked) and she also said that the pictures I shared last week just enhanced the differences....the colors are not that different with the naked eye.  I have never blocked a sweater before, but I think I did kind of okay.

Before blocking:

During Blocking:

After Blocking:

And the model (who hates to have her picture taken, but knows it is part of getting knitted items): 

She really loves it and I am tickled pink about it!  I posted it on FB and had a couple people comment on me making them one and how much would I charge.....I am not going there....I still have not finished the Dr Who scarf I said I would make for a friend's son......

Do you remember me mentioning Loopy Academy?  Well, I bought yarn for it months ago and I kept telling myself that I need to get that done...deadline is this Wednesday.  Well, I did not have any friends join me on this journey, so I found it more difficult to knit on because I did not have anyone 'knitting with me'.....but I really want to try to finish this first semester, so after Paige's sweater....I hit the mittens.  I had one almost done...it just needed the thumb....then the second and it was not so bad......1 of 3 done!

A little closer so you can see the subtle yarn color changes:

Then there was a hat....I had been working on this Elsa Hat here and there....but it was time to get it finished.....2 of 3 done!  Please excuse the no makeup, bad lighting, no filter look....it was late, but I was happy it was done.

The last thing for Loopy Academy is a Cowl....this is the Monster Cowl for my sister.  I am only about 20% done and I need to get it done in 3 days....wish me luck!!!

Now for a stash enhancement I am really excited about.  You guys know I have some Darn Pretty Needles by DyakCraft....well, I always wanted to try the Northern Lights.....the metal version, but they did not sell them.....well, they finally started selling them again.  I ordered mine in Mid November and got them Christmas ever!  I really love them!  I am now thinking of getting the 3.5" set (yes, I know I have a problem)!

I sent back my Hazelnut 5" needles to get the tips redone from regular tips to lace tips! My 3.5" Vermont Apple set is also ready and they should be shipping both of them to me this week.  I am really excited!

I finally blocked my Stephen West Shawl!

How was your Christmas?  Mine was wonderful.  We have a 'different' kind of Christmas meal....sandwiches.....now way, they are not just any sandwiches, and when I tell people that, they have a hard time understanding....these are the cream of the crop sandwiches....my mother makes tar-tar (I know that is not everyone's cup of tea, but I love it) and then we have all sorts of cheeses, and capers, and cream cheese with lox, and sopressata, and prosciutto, Gelbwurst.....and so many more yummies.....so I thought I would share our spread with you!

I also made out like a bandit for Christmas....my son, daughter, and Antonio got me some charms for my Pandora bracelet....one of them is a knitting basket...how cute!

Then my boyfriend, Jaime, got me some more charms and my parents got me charms.....my boyfriend got me the football helmt and the UT dangling one....he also got me another longhorn one, but it did not fit, so I am asking him to return it and get me some slippers.  My parents got me the letters 'K' and 'N'......for my birthday in February, they will give me the 'I' and the 'T' to spell "KNIT".....I am super excited!

The grands got lots of fun stuff too....I was super excited to give the Ninja Turtles 4 wheeler to Antonio, and then I did not get a single picture of him on it (I was really excited and forgot...but Cataleya really loved it too!)...I got some pics (below) of all the grands having fun....I have not seen Alexxis or Mario yet to give them their presents....

I  hope everyone has a Happy Happy New year!  and Happy Happy Knitting!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Well, Christmas is in 2 days......are you ready?  I want to cry....not because knitting is not done....but because I have a dye lot problem on Paige's sweater and I did not notice it till this morning.....I have been worried about it all morning....I do not know what I am going to do.  I had the last 4 days at home to just hang out and KNIT!  I had some housework to do also....but mostly knitting!  I honestly did not see this color difference as I just knit away and picked up stitches!

I finished my niece's socks.

And.....I finished my Stephen West KAL Shawl...it is not blocked yet.

I got more Christmas Presents from Darlene.....the Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock yarn was more than enough...but she made me a large project bag with notions set and a medium project bag with notions set......this material is not available in her shop.....the sheep are sooooo happy and rainbowy!  PLUS, she got me a skein of Miss Babs Yowzza in the Joan of Arc colorway....this colorway is so gorgeous....we are going to make the Yowzza Weigh it Shawl by Susan B Anderson together!

I wanted to post a knitter's poem for Christmas....there are many variations of this around...but I do love this one....it is a little long, but worth the read!  Merry Christmas Everyone (and be sure to look at the cute pics at the end)!

Knitting

‘Twas The Night Before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all around me,

Was unfinished knitting not under the tree.

The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care,

'cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds

but I had not finished the caps for their heads.

Dad was asleep; he was no help at all,

And the sweater for him was six inches too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I put down my needles to see what was the matter.

Away to the window, I flew like a flash,

Tripped over my yarn and fell down with a crash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow

Reminded me how much I still had to go.

Out on my lawn, I heard such a noise,

I thought it would wake both dad and the boys.

And though I was tired, my brain was a bit thick,

I knew in a moment, it must be Saint Nick.

But what I heard then left me perplexed,

For not a name I heard was what I had expected

"move, Ashford; move, Lopi; move, Addie and Clover;

move, Reynolds; move, Starmore; move, Fraylic--move over"

"Paton, don't circle round; stand in line.

Come now, you sheep wool work just fine!

I know this is hard semi, it's just your first year,

I'd hate to go back to eight tiny reindeer."

I peered over the sill; what I saw was amazing,

Eight woolly sheep on my lawn all a’ grazing.

And then, in a twinkle, I heard at the door

Santa's feet coming across the porch floor.

I rose from my knees and got back on my feet,

And as I turned round, Saint Nick, I did meet.

He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe

and his clothes were hand knit from above to below.

A bright Fairisle sweater he wore on his back,

and his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.

His cap was a wonder of bobbles and lace,

A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.

The scarf round his neck could have stretched for a mile,

And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.

The back of his mittens bore an intricate cable,

And suddenly on one I spied a small label.

SC was duplicate stitched on the cuff and I asked

"Hey Nick, did you knit all this stuff?"

He proudly replied "Ho-ho-ho, yes I did,

I learned how to knit when I was a kid."

He was chubby and plump, a quite well-dressed old man,

And I laughed to myself for I'd thought up a plan,.

I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,

And the next thing he knew he was tied to a chair.

He spoke not a word, but looked in his lap

where I'd laid my needles and yarn for a cap.

He quickly began knitting, first one cap then two;

For the first time I thought I'd really get through.

He put heels on the stockings and toes in some socks

while I sat back drinking Scotch on the rocks!!

So quickly like magic, his needles they flew,

That he was all finished by quarter to two.

He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,

And over his shoulder he looked back at me.

And I heard him exclaim as he sailed past the moon,

"Next year start your knitting sometime around June!

This should say for 2015....you get it!

Grand Baby Number FIVE!

Yes, Mario Alonzo Ramirez III was born 12/10/14 at 9:25 pm and was 7 pounds, 10 ounces.....he hasd some complications, and was in NICU and had an IV in his head, but he is doing much better (no more IV) and I hope he gets to go home soon (sorry for the picture overload)!

Then Alexxis (big sister) was missing mommy, so she got to come to hospital to see her.  This is my DIL, Amanda, Grand Daughter, Alexxis, and Step Son, Mario (he is Jr, so the 2nd).

And yes......I finished the blanket in time to go visit him this past Friday!

Celeste and I went to see her dad this weekend.....she made some cute pictures with some games on my phone, we got some ice cream at DQ....and then I got her to take some pictures by the Christmas tree!

Christmas is almost here......are you ready?  Do you have all your Christmas knitting done?  Are you doing any Christmas knitting this year?  I am doing very little this year...but some.  Remember the socks I started for my niece....well, I want to finish them for Christmas....and also the matching cowl for my sister.  I have finished the gusset on both socks so know it is straight knit and I am hoping it will go quickly!

I am also still plugging away on Paige's sweater.....I am about 2 1/4" into the 3" ribbing at the back....I still need to pick up stitches and a 2x2 ribbing around the front...but right now there are over 300 stitches on the needles and it is becoming time consuming!

I also started the shawl for the final Miss Babs Destination (I showed you the yarn last week)......I have not worked on it since I started it...and I have a billion other things to finish...but it just called my name!  The shawl is called A Day To Remember.

This past week, I got my Secret Santa package.....my secret sister gave me some chocolate, yarn, some Christmas Ornaments, a shawl book, a big pen, and a Santa punch ball!  All Yummy!

I also had a small exchange with the ladies that I work with and knit with.....Evelyn made the cutest yarn ball with knitting needles ornament and gave us each a fun eraser (she knows we need them)!

Suzi gave us each a long container and each slot has a spot for stitch markers....and she even put different types of stitch markers in each slot along with the rubbery things to grip your needles with!!

 Barbara got me an UnWined wine glass with sayings "Typical Day", "Rough Day" and "Don't even ask" each with a different mark on how much win should be in the glass for each day....along with the most awesome Longhorn Ornaments!!!!!

Darlene got us each a Thomas Kincade mug with English Breakfast Tea (my favorite) and sugar cookies....and of course, one of her AwesomeGrannie notions bags...the notions bag had stitch markers and a tape measure in it!!

I also had some stash enhancements.....I got some Turtlepurl self striping WORSTED yarn in the trenchcoat colorway....I love this colorway!

And my last shipment of the Barking Dogs Yarn Club came in.....this is by far my favorite color....Gingerbread......I kind of wish I was doing this club again next year, but the clubs were getting a bit expensive....so I had to cut somewhere.

Well, I guess that is just about all I have....I did watch Antonio one day last week and Jaime (Antonio calls him Pam-Pa for Grandpa) helped his play with the drill....they had lots of fun!

Oh yeah....one small shout out to my good friend, Ruby, who had knee replacement surgery this past Friday.....get well soon and I hope you get lots of knitting time!

Have a great week everyone!

Happy, Happy, Happy Knitting!