I am halfway done with the UK flag intarsia! I wish I hadn't set it aside for so long... I look forward to finishing it, but not seaming it. I made great progress with the time I was able to fit in for knitting yesterday. I purchased new door knobs too :)

Saw an interesting movie last night too. It was about Afghanistan.

Tonight we are going to see Tower of Power, Jesper's favorite band of all time. I think I'm ready to get "funkified."

I saw this pattern linked from Streets and YOs and I really like it a lot! The sweater style was just comin in 2 years ago in Paris. I wonder if it will go out of style? Probably not for a while I think. I can't remember if I have any yarn in this gauge stashed... 14st/4". Sirdar has a lot of nice patterns in their "Beautiful Classics" collection.

My morning....

It all started last night. I went to bed and the door shut...and didn't open. My nob was broken and I knew it. I thought it wouldn't get stuck. It did. I yanked and twisted on it for 10 minutes then went to bed.
In the morning I left a voicemail with Jesper at work. About 10:15am he called and came over. Luckily he has a key. Luckily I have a phone in my room. He showed up and after about 15 minutes we broke it appart.
I did get a chance to knit my UK flag seat cushion though!

Finished a baby sweater to sell. I think I am going to pick up my UK flag seat cushion next; it will be a good excercise in intarsia knitting. I need to get some works in progress off the needles now that I've finished a quick project.

Look what I came home to last night :) What a nice surprise!

I did better in Innebandy last night. We had a chance to practice for 20 minutes before playing. That helped a lot. The best part is that I made 2 goals! My right big toe nail is a little smashed from running and stopping really fast. I even cut my nails to prevent this. Next time I buy shoes, I'll get one size up to leave a longer sliding pad. I think this happens to soccer players also.

I've started a quicky baby sweater in Rasberry colored Cotton Fleece. I might finish it tonight. I am going to sell them at a holiday bazaar at my company this November. I'm thinking $50. about 4.5 hours labor + the skein of $7.00 yarn + buttons. Any suggestions as to what people would pay for something like this?

I finally got the cuff right last night on that Rebecca sweater - hopefully I can wear it soon and get a good photo. TWO finished objects last night!

Pattern: Glampyre Knits - Orangina
Yarn used: Madil All Seasons Cotton from www.aswellyarnshop.com

Details: Love the yarn. It fits very nice.

I am casting off on Orangina tonight. It will be all seamed up at the end of Purlygirls!

I worked several hours on my Marquior X-Stitch and almost finished panel 4 of 9.

Overall - a relaxing weekend with plenty of knitting, visiting with friends and eating.

The sneakers in the photo were hanging on a wire downtown Seattle, I spotted them on the way to my car.

Michelle came over last night and we have dinner and made apple crisp. She'd never seen an apple corer/peeler. It's so handy and actually not new, I'm surprised more people don't have these. I mean, doesn't everybody love apple pie? Well, I don't make pie now because I never have the counter space, I am all about apple crisp now.

Tonight is a girl's night at my other friend Michelle's house. Tomorrow Fremont Oktoberfest will be checked out.

It's Fall officially and I am already enjoying the way the air feels, but I'll have to start wearing a coat to work soon.

Michelle came over last night and we have dinner and made apple crisp. She'd never seen an apple corer/peeler. It's so handy and actually not new, I'm surprised more people don't have these. I mean, doesn't everybody love apple pie? Well, I don't make pie now because I never have the counter space, I am all about apple crisp now.

Tonight is a girl's night at my other friend Michelle's house. Tomorrow Fremont Oktoberfest will be checked out.

It's Fall officially and I am already enjoying the way the air feels, but I'll have to start wearing a coat to work soon.

The sweater is practically done. It's wearable, but the cuff tension doesn't match - I am now going to rip out my cast-on edge and fix it this way. Otherwise, it looks great.

I was impressed with the Hilltop East store, their presentation is very pretty. I picked up a gift and got a few free pattern leaflets.

I think it's possible that this weekend I will be to the point on Orangina that I will join for the lower ribbing! Then I think progress will fly.

I am so glad this week's forecast is all sunny. I was afraid summer was really done for good.

Last night was Innebandy - lots of fun and excercise. I haven't made a goal in forever, but last night I made a good pass that resulted in a goal - which the guys gave me credit for. I'm thinking with my Jazzercise class on Monday and Wednesday, I will be able to keep up better this season. The hardest part about Innebandy ends up being the cardio, then all the skills too of course.

We watched "Open Water" last night and it was a bad idea. We didn't sleep well, thinking of the abandoned SCUBA divers surrounded by sharks with no help in sight. I suggest you watch this movie before 6 PM if ever.

Today I am going to send out my SP6 gift to Canada. I'm going to stop by the new "Hilltop East" on the way to the post office to finish off the contents.

I almost finished my sweater last night. I need to fix the cuff so it matches the tension of the cast on edge. I am also going to shorten the neck by 1 row. It's supposed to be a turtleneck, but I thought this looks OK. Since I incresed the next width, a turtleneck would have been a little off.

Here is that wacky felted mouse. Notice how he is reaching out with his ears? I think it is a cry for help.

Friday night we saw the move "Grizzly Man," it was interesting. That guy was pretty abnormal. I wonder if the "Crocodile Hunter" is just as messed up? This guy was eaten by a bear, the movie is about the whole situation of being obsessed with bears and the death.

Saturday Jesper, Anders and I went down to Olympia/Tumwater for a little home-town sight seeing and dinner with my parents. YUMMY Beef Stroganoff! A new record also... I has 2 cups of coffee on Saturday. I hope this isn't serious.

I felted the mouse I made and it didn't quite work out well. His ears got really long like a rabbit and his body looks like a sausage. I don't think I'll make another. I might try felting it a 3rd time. I also did two pair of clogs. They are too big to keep on my feet. They also will require a 3rd felting. I think I am going to stick with Fuzzy Feet in the future.

I am on the home stretch of that Rebecca chunky sweater. I spent Sunday morning finishing the body. I could finish it tonight, but my hand would probably be aching badly. I think it will be done in a week for sure.

New shot of Jesper wearing his sweater at Tumwater Falls.

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Women hail menstruation ruling

Another reason to not complain about ANYTHING today.

Secret Pal 6 Questionaire:

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I am above the JoAnn's craft store selection, but below name brands like Debbie Bliss and Rowan. I go for Knit Picks and Elann.com stuff. I knit so fast, I'd go broke if could only use Rowan. Anything with animal fibers makes me happy.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
No spinning, not really crochet either.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Perfume makes my nose really itchy.

4. How long have you been knitting?
I learned when I was 14, I have been obsessivly knitting for about 2 years.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
YES, Amazon.com

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Vanilla. If it's to perfumy, my nose gets really itchy.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
I love baked desserts. I try not to eat them too much - I don't like that guilty feeling.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Cross-stitch, sewing, watercolor painting, decoupage.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like trip-hop. My favorite group is Lamb.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I think I enjoy Dark red, but am more into pinks now. Charcoal grey is my favorite classic. I seem to have a lot of purple, but try not to wear it too much. I don't like many browns or yellows.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have a fabulous boyfriend (Jesper), a mellow cat (Stella) and deteriorating goldfish (Pedro).

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
To be happy most every day. Including knitting, sailing, travel.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Baby Alpaca

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
100% Acrylic and novelty yarns.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Gifts for X-mas in time not to stress out.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Slippers and sweaters.

17. What are you knitting right now?
Check my progress bars... I am always knitting multiple projects.

18. What do you think about ponchos?
Not me, they are so OUT!

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
CIRCULAR!!

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo

21. Are you a sock knitter?
Sometimes. I will take a project with me on my vacation to Australia in November.

22. How did you learn to knit?
Middle School - WA State history class

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
probably 8 months

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
turtles are cute

25. What is your favorite holiday?
I think it's Thanksgiving, you get 2 days vacation and get to visit family, but there are no gifts expected other than good food.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn, but not on purpose :) I try to keep down on the knick-knack cluttter.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
My subscriptions have all run out - I used to get Interweave.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I'd like to get knitting on 2-circulars eventually, for now I will borrow a friend's book.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??
The Debbie Bliss baby patterns are so cute, I have no good excuse to buy the books.

30. What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like?
I wear size 9.5 US women's shoe. I like stripes.

I'm getting pretty far on that fore mentioned Rebecca sweater. I would say I am about 45% done now. It will be great to get rid of this yarn from my stash. I've had it since the beginning of my stash and it is about time! I will try not to complain when a really cold day hits - I will have a huge warm sweater to wear. That is if I like how it ends up. Ohh!! The suspense. This is making me devote all knitting effort to this project, just to see how it turns out.

Other news, Jesper, his father and I went to view a house that went on the market yesterday in Seattle. It was a decent price, but the walls were bendy and the only way out the house to the backyard was through the bedroom. It has potential for someone to gut it and make it fabulous. It won't be us. Really though. I can't move out of my condo until next fall, so house hunting is more for informational purposes at the moment. And yes, we will look at houses on the Eastside too!

I've been working on this Rebecca sweater - It's going to be SUPER bulky, but I like the pattern and I need to use the yarn. My gauge isn't quite on, but it's so simple, it seems to fit as far as I've gotten up the sleeve.

Also I worked on a scarf and Orangina tonight. Plus I did Jazzercise, my calves are out of shape, I'll be back with it in a week. Now I won't feel guilty about the cupcakes I am planning to make.

I made a correction to my "Quickie Baby Sweater." Row 26 was missing some information.

The link in the sidebar is updated.

This weekend I was sailing on Alluvium, my friend Michelle's father's 47' Jeannau sailboat. Friday night we motored to the inner harbor of Port Madison and rafted to Jesper's boat Impulsive. We all stayed up late waiting for pizza to cook in the oven and telling funny travel stories. I was laughing with tears at several points.
Saturday morning we sailed through Agate Pass to Bremerton - then spent the night in Oyster Harbor, where another 47' Benetau sailboat rafted to us. It was really fun having 3 boats connected in the middle of a little harbor. We watched an amazing slide show of a woman's trip up Kilimanjaro. With porters carrying the gear up, I think this is probably the only summit I could hope to climb. Maybe someday. Jesper seems more interested in Denali as his next summit. Not for me.

Sunday we motored to Blake Island and took the dinghy in. Michelle and I had been there so many times, we just laid on the grass. We sent the other two who were on their first overnight sailing trip to walk around. When we got back to the boat and pulled up the anchor, there was a big sun starfish attached to the chain. Michelle had to peel it off.
We motorsailed back to Seattle and I went home for a relaxing evening of a little more knitting and some Thai food.

I just have been working on my Orangina and started the Rebecca magazine sweater. I should get a lot done tonight at Purlygirls. Also - I'm back into Jazzercise this week AND Innebandy starts tomorrow night - I am going to get lots of aerobic activity this fall!

UNSOLVED MYSTERY: When I got home... on my dining room table I had 2 magazines and a box with a gift in it. The papers were all soaked. The bottom of the box was warped and drying. The table cloth was pretty dry. There were little splatters on my napkin holder. NO sign of water stain on the ceiling. Nothing else in the house was wet. No drinking glasses nearby that could have tipped over. It didn't smell odd. It's not cat urine. Possible missing napkin from napkin holder, which I thought had one left and now has none. HELP! Is it possible the roof leaked and left no ceiling stain?

I'll be sailing this weekend. Not on Impulsive, but on Alluvium. The weather is looking stereotypical Seattle. I'm looking forward to knitting in style and catching up with my friend Michelle. Talk to y'all Monday!

The new Knitty is up! I like the patterns, but only would be interested in making Flora at this time.

I been trying to get gauge with my Lion Brand Kool Wool and between size 11 & 13 needles, it's been hard. I am hoping it will work out.

I made an experimental beef stew yesterday and I think my crock-pot didn't have a good seal and the veggies wern't cooked after 9 hours. Hopefully it will taste better reheated. It had a sour taste from the wine. At least the dessert was tasty.

This was part of what I did Friday night...


Pattern: Wool Diaper Cover - newborn size
Yarn used: Lamb's Pride Worsted - size 7 needles

Details: I love how this turned out - really cute! The striping was a treat too. The I-chord tie is off center becasue the holes didn't meet in the middle. This was about a 3 hour project.

I forgot to mention... Jesper was in NYC this past weekend to see the US Open Tennis Tournament and spent at least an hour looking for Knit New York during his last day in the city. He was on a mission to get me a fresh logo t-shirt. He found the store after walking past it twice and calling four times.

They don't sell t-shirts anymore.

Thanks anyway Jesper - you're the BEST! I'll just have to keep wearing my pit-stained T with caution.

He did get me this artwork though. It is an original Gabriel Perici - maybe when he dies, it will be worth something :)

Everybody's doing it...even my parents have a blog now!

Noticias de las Gates

p.s. They aren't Mexican... my dad is just practicing his Espagnol.

This weekend was all about relaxing and... knitting.

I worked on more felted clogs and a baby diaper cover.

Saturday about 9 knitters met a Chism Beach in Bellevue and knitted in the perfect sun on a grassy hill overlooking the lake. Afterwards I popped over to Seattle and got some fun outdoorsy stuff (bike rack and hiking poles) at REI and watered Jesper's plants.

Sunday evening I visited my friend Michelle's baby, Mia - and I gave her the diaper cover. She is definitly to small for it yet, but Michelle says she leaves her in PJs all day since she just sleeps anyway.

Here I am holding little Mia - awwww... It's like when you go to Disneyland and you have to get a photo with Mickey Mouse, Mia wass the main character at the party and we all had to pose with her :)


Monday I took a 7 mile bike ride with Amy and showed her how to shift my old red bike. It was great on my new yellow bike - the extra gears are fabulous!

I got my Holga photos developed a few weeks ago. The roll of film was exposed to some light when I changed the film in the camera. I think I like these enough to post, but not sure if the negatives are in a condition good enough to frame. Luckily these photos were taken a few marinas over from Jesper's boat and they could be recaptured. Altough I doubt a pile of sinks would be hanging around a dry dock for more than a year...

Tonight I have been just knitting... no surprise. Actually I worked a few hours on my Marquoir X-stitch. Then, I made a newborn size diaper cover in blue stripes - it's really cute. I'll get a photo next week.
This final photo is of a mysterious memorial I pass when I drive to visit friends in Duvall. I can only guess it is the death of a boat. I've heard that when it floods in this valley, it reaches the motor, maybe this is a reminder?

If you love Seattle, it could be because of scenes like this - a view crossing the Montlake Bridge in Seattle.

My knee is still bugging me from the Sunday hike. I'm not sure how long I should wait for it to go away.

Last night I almost finished my felted clogs - I ran out of light blue and will have to find more.

I am also finished the first side of Orangina last night. I think I'll cast on for that tonight.

I am going to see my friend's baby, Mia, on Sunday and will gift her the diaper soaker. It will be her 1 month birthday, so it's probably too big. When winter comes, it will be nice and cozy.

Today I wore my Cable-8 sweater to work! As.... a vest. It's the only way this garment is wearable. I didn't get any compliments, but it was cozy and my purple suede shoes matched.

Tonight I take Jesper to the airport so he can sleep the night away to NYC. He'll be taking in tennis and if I'm really lucky, he'll have time to get me a new t-shirt from KNIT NY. I'm afraid I'm going to wear mine out and haven't worn it so often.

Looks like I've been upgraded in Mt. Bikes. I get Jesper's old bike - he got a better used bike on Ebay for himself. I think this is going to be a great thing. His (my) bike is probably 15 pounds lighter! Aluminum instead of steel I think is my upgrade. I think he should have the heavier bike, he weighs less than me - we need to keep this even. Oh yeah - his upgrade is to titanium from my now aluminum. Oy! Maybe I'll take it for a spin this weekend.

No knitting photos until next week - I'm loaning my camera to Jesper to capture NY tennis moments.

The new MagKnits is up. I like the Sesame sweater a lot - of course in different colors :)