I'm knitting and stuff...

Its college football and time and I'm so excited. College football is a BIG DEAL in the south. Especially in the SEC Division. So I thought it would be fun to have a knitting project to do while I'm watching or listening to the games. This past Saturday, the Tennessee Volunteers had their first game under their new coach Lane Kiffin. OMG. It was awesome. I don't know how I got any knitting done. But I did, in fact the game inspired me to do a two color sock. The end zones at UT are checkered orange and white and so that's my pattern. Next week they play UCLA so I'll finish this sock and start the mate.

Some of my other knitting projects are things I'm doing to get ready for Christmas gift giving. I know it's a little early, but I'm usually caught short of time and this year I really want my holiday knitting done so I can enjoy the time.

This headband is from One Skein Wonders, 101 Yarn Shop Favorites, by Judith Durant. I took the headband from one pattern and the flower from another. I used 2 strands of Patons Classic Wool. The headband came out really nice, and I'm thinking about making a couple more of these. It's a great one day project and super for those left overs from other projects.


Another addition to my gift giving, or at least what was suppose to be gifts, are these two Circle Cloths. I found this pattern on Ravelry and just loved it. You can get really creative with this pattern by using two colors. I just stayed with what I had, but I may end up keeping these and making the two color ones as the gifts. It's another make it in a couple of hours projects that looks like you spent a lot longer on it.

Along with these I've been trying to finish up some things that have been on the needles way tooooooo loooonnnnnggggggg.

Again I'm amazed at the healing that comes with knitting. Recently I've found myself in a situation where I've had to make HUGE decisions without much time to look at all sides. For me that is " walking on thin ice." I've always been one when faced with life changing situations to look at it from every side and then make the decision. Knitting has been so therapeutic for me. Calming my mind, clearing my head and allowing me the space I've needed to make these decisions. Thank heavens for knitting.

Blessed Be

New Year, New Yarn, Finished Socks

Happy New Year to all of you who read my postings. I hope that it's been a wonderful
14 days for you.

Since my last post a lot has happened. 2009 has started with a blast. I've got several things on the needles right now, but I finished my Monkey socks New Year's eve. How cool is that? That was my goal and I did it. Below are a couple of pictures for you. I can truly say that this won't be my last pair. I love them. I think I may do my next pair something solid or nearly solid.

Recently I was in Tennessee taking mom to the Ortho Ped Doctor to schedule her next total knee replacement (Jan. 27th) and while I was there I went to my favorite place in the Smoky Mountains. Smoky Mountain Spinnery. I have talked about this shop before and I just love it there. When you walk in it feels like you have the softest blanket wrapped around you. It's just an awesome place for me. You all know how crazy my life has been, so going in there is almost like a sanctuary of quiet and peace.

Well while I was there I made a couple of purchases. My son wants a pair of socks so he picked out this fantastic Heritage. These colors are so him. I promised him that I would start these while mom was in the hospital, because he made me promise to do a lot of relaxing knitting while she was there.

Then I seen where Nancy had woven a beautiful shawl out of Nikki . I just had to have that yarn. The colorway is nearly all my favorite colors. I have no idea what I will make out of it yet, but for now I am just enoying the color.

My other news, last buy not least, I finally started my first pair of toe up socks. Yup, I have one done and the second is just about finished. The jury is still out on how I like doing them though. Speaking of jury duty. Guess where I'll be next week. Yup. Sitting. they won't let me knit, so I'll reading and I have some patterns in my mind that I will write out. So I'll be knitting in my heart. LOL.

Have a great day,

Blessed Be

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

From my heart to yours: I hope everyone has a very blessed New Year and that your lives are filled with love, that you are equipped to face everything that comes your way in 2009 and that experience joy beyond your wildest dreams.

On a quick knitting note. If you have seen my Ravelry page. You'll know how how excited I have been about these socks and how I couldn't wait to get them done. It's been a long time since I went nuts over a pattern, but I really like this pattern and the yarn I used. Knit Picks Felici turned out to be wonderful. Once I hand washed them and blocked the sock, that yarn got so soft. I love how it feels on my feet. So below are the finished pics.



Oh I have one more thing, I've never made socks from the toes up before. (Yes, again I'm the last knitter on earth who has not done toe up socks or done a short row heel,) but this morning I did the cast on for my first pair. Pictures of those are coming.

Stuff and more stuff

Can you believe that it's almost 2009? WOW. Again another year has flown by. Actually I'm looking forward to 2008 being over and getting a new beginning in 2009. But for now lets talk knitting ;-)

Since the picture below was taken I've just about finished the toes on my Monkey socks. Yes, they are my first pair, but they won't be my last. I love making these socks. If you haven't made these socks before OR it's been awhile since you made a pair, you have to get these on your needles.

And this, well this is the beginning of Bamboozled. It's a wonderful headband, and just the project that I needed right now. Something that takes my attention and yet I can knit for 10 minutes put it down and feel like I got my knitting fix for a little while. LOL. Click on the above link and check it out. I've seen several in all different types of yarn and it looks great. I just really needed to grab this purple yarn and do something with it. It's not my favorite brand of yarn, but this color is where I'm at right now.

On a more personal level. I've posted several times about my mom and her health issues. Yesterday I got a call from her that she has seriously injured her left knee (the one that should have been replaced years ago) and is pretty much confined to her couch. She has managed to get enough help from her neighbors until I can get up there (Sevierville, TN.) next week and take her to the doctor. She has pretty much got her mind set to going ahead and getting the surgery done which means for me another 2 months away from my home, family, dogs and life here in Georgia. Since I've been looking for a home up there anyway, I guess that I need to step it up and maybe not be so picky about what I'm looking for. Anyway, please keep my family in your thoughts and I'll keep you posted.

I hope and pray that each person who reads my blog will have a wonderful New Year, and that 2009 will be filled with opportunity for you and your loved ones, and that you will find love and peace in every endeavor. May everything your set your hands to do be blessed.

Saundra
aka Knitting Satori