Bauble Day

Whew! I'm back from Nashville and, boy, are my arms tired.

Really.

I knitted so many things. My pinkies are aching just a little. I hold my yarn weird. I think it's a hold back from my crochet days.

So here goes the grand photo sharing of what I did on my Thanksgiving vacation. Here's my attempt at the mid-November monthly dishcloth. I thought it was quite lovely and gave it to my MIL for Bauble Day. Bauble Day is celebrated with the in-laws around Thanksgiving and it's for small gifts - you know, baubles.

I gave Captain Underpants to the oldest nephew and the alligator mittens to the youngest one. The nephews LOVED Captain Underpants and the alligator mittens. We had impromptu plays of Captain Underpants getting attached by the giant alligators all night long.

My DH and BIL went to Texas A&M. Here's the dishcloth I knitted in the car on the way up for my BIL's Bauble Day gift.

Here's my first attempt at writing my own illusion knitting dishcloth. I gave it to my FIL. The lighting is such that you can see the pattern from the front. I'll also write up this pattern if anyone is interested.

The finished purse for my SIL.

A photo of the inside. It's lined with a plastic needle point board and pink fabric. I added a 9" zipper and the handle is attached with a leather boot lace. I bought the handles from Joann's (they're Purse n-alize-it! vinyl handles and are exclusively distributed by Joann's).

I knitted more on the way home, but blogger isn't playing well with others right now. More to come. . .

Free Pattern - Cable Clutchette Knitted Purse

A simple cable knit purse that is knit in one piece and sewn up on the sides.

Needles: Size 11
Yarn: Chunky wool.

Special stitch:
C10F: Slip 5 stitches onto a cable needle and bring to the front (I just used a size 10 DPN). Knit the next 5 stitches. Knit the stitches on the cable needle.

CO 32 stitches.

R1. K1 P10 K10 P10 K1
R2. P1 K10 P10 K10 P1
R3. K1 P10 K10 P10 K1
R4. P1 K10 P10 K10 P1

R5. K1 P10 C10F P10 K1

R6. P1 K10 P10 K10 P1

R7 through R14: Repeat R1 & R2
R15. Repeat R5
R16. Repeat R2

R17 through R 26: Repeat R7 through R16 once

R27 through R30: Repeat R1 through R4.

Bind off in pattern.

Mattress stitch the sides. Pick up 60 stitches along the top of the purse and knit an i-cord border. Sew in a zipper, then the lining, and add a leather purse handle. You can also add a bow to the top to make the purse match the one you can buy in a store.

Variation: If you want the clutchette to become a more functional bag, simply keep repeating R7 through R16 and finish up with R27 through R30. If you can think of the cable as a 10 x 10 cable, then you could keep track of your knitting a little better.

This hasn’t been test knitted yet. If you do try it and find errors, please email me with questions.





This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Almost finished-cable knit purse

I have to line this and put a handle on it, but all of the knitting is done.

I used two stands knit together of Plymouth Encore. It's a simple 10 stitch cable and was inspired by a purse I saw for sale.

Mine is deeper, but the width should be the same. I thought it would be more convenient. I also added an i-cord border to the top of the purse. I did a mattress stitch for the sides, but now wish that I had done a selvage stitch on either side of the purse so I could have made sewing the sides up less obvious. I also will use a chunky wool as the Encore is too stretchy. I'll also use smaller needles. I used size 13. I think a tighter knit would look better.

If I have the time, I'll try to write up a pattern for this one.

FO-More Alligator Mittens

It's interesting to knit something again that once took you forever. What a difference a year (or so) makes. I knitted M some of these last year for my Olympic Knitting project. This time around, the mittens were SUPER fast to knit.

I decided to use Plymouth Encore yarn as it's washable. I have noticed that it just doesn't hold it's shape as well as the Cascade 220 did.

I do like how I did the eyes on these mittens. I used two buttons - one large white one and a smaller black one. They are much more secure than the googly eyes on M's. I love googly eyes, but am pretty concerned they are too easy to pull off. Not good for 3 year olds. These mittens will be paired with the fair isle hat for my nephew.

Will it blend?

Okay, this is disgusting (in a cool college days way), but I couldn't look away. Mmmmm - Cochicken.

FO-Nephew Fair Isle Hat

I added an i-cord border to the hat along with flaps and ties. I was going to put a pom pom on the top but like the hat with out it.



Now on to the mittens! I have to get these gifts done because we're going to Nashville next week! Eeek!

FO-Nephew Blanket

I finished the first blanket for one of my nephews. It was made with four strands held together of Lion Brand Homespun. Their school colors are red, black and white. I used Candy Apple, Black, Edwardian, and Covered Bridge Red. I also held a strand of Trellis yarn (Night Life) with the Homespun. I won't do the second one with the Trellis. It really didn't add anything to the blanket.

This was knitted with speed stix (size 50 needle).

Turkey

I made a turkey yesterday because J got one cheap and I've found having cooked poultry around for lunch times makes it easier for me to stay on the WW program.

But M is determined to have turkey for Thanksgiving ONLY. She wouldn't even try it.

"No, thank you. I'll have turkey on Thanksgiving in Nashville," she poo-pooed.

I think someone is excited about sleeping over at her cousins house in Nashville next week.

Now I need to find out what to do with Mel. The vet is full.

Another Fair Isle Hat

I'm not quite done with this one, but it's the fair-isle hat pattern in the back of the holiday Interweave (2006) magazine.


Size 5 DPN needles, Plymouth Encore yarn. I have the ear flaps, pom-pom, and the cords to do to finish this up. They'll be paired with a set of alligator mittens (SnB Nation) made with the same colors/yarn. It's a present for my other nephew in Nashville.

Auction

J & I went to M's school auction on Saturday night. It was fun, but I always feel out of place at these events. I don't like wearing cocktail dresses and I'm finding that crowds make me very anxious. J knows this and is wonderful at getting me into a quiet place and calming me down.

I donated the two Gnomes and they fetched over $200 for the school technology fund. I also will be knitting a baby outfit and another Noni purse. All in all, my donations made over $300. I'm somewhat pleased. I think if I do this next year, I'll have things knitted beforehand as finished items seem to fetch a higher price. I'll probably make a Captain Underpants and some more Gnomes. Perhaps I'll knit some other toys, too.

I'm glad I went, but I'm equally glad it's over.

Another show I like

I like watching Project Runway and now Top Chef. These are reality shows, but unlike the ones on the networks, the participants actually have talent in their respective fields. The Top Chef show seems to be a little more rambunctious than Project Runway.

FO-Snowflake Illusion Dishcloth

Since my in-laws LOVED the candy corn illusion dishcloth so much, this is one of their Christmas gifts. I knitted this up on Saturday afternoon while driving all around town.

FO-Majorlica Vase Purse

Ding, dong, the purse is done.

The wicked purse is done!

I did not want to put black and white flowers on this purse. I did not want to knit it in black and white. I just hated knitting this project.
But doesn't it look great? :)
The recipient loved it, so I'm happy.

Noni Flowers

I'm finally finishing up the flowers for the Noni Majorlica Vase Bag. It's the Unfurling Rose from Nora J. Bellows.

The flower on the right was made with one strand of cream and one strand of black. Plus, I knitted the outer petals with a 4 stitch/8 stitch long petal.

I also have some of the gray heathered yarn that I think I'm not going to use on the Hex Coat so I made a fourth flower out of it. Here it is before I felted it. I photographed it right next to the cream flower to show the size difference.

GOAM mentioned that the cream flower looked like a magnolia blossom. I have to agree.

FO-Gobble, gobble

Here's a photo of my latest dishcloth. It's the November Monthly Dishcloth KAL pattern.

Captain Underpants - Free Pattern

Materials:
1 ball Hayfield Bonus Toytime DK Yarn Flesh tone (963)
1 ball white sport weight yarn (I used Red Heart)
1 ball red sport weight yarn (again, Red Heart)
Black embroidery yarn for detailing.
Washable stuffing

Needles:
Size 2 DPN’s or 40” circular size 2 (magic loop).

Gage:
6 sts per inch, 8 rows per inch. (but really, don’t sweat this. I like to knit toys tightly so when you stuff it, the stuffing is not really visible)

Abbreviations:

CO = Cast on
loop CO = Backward-Loop Cast-On
kfb = Knit Front & Back: Knit a stitch, leaving stitch on left needle; knit into the back loop of this stitch
ssk - Slip, slip, knit: Slip one stitch as if to knit, slip the next stitch as if to purl, knit the two together through the back loops.
k2tog = Knit two together: Knit two stitches together as if they were a single stitch.
(if you don't know what these are, always go to Knitting Help.com)

Body:

In white, CO 6 stitches. Distribute among 3 needles (spaces) and join, being careful not to twist. Place marker.

Rnd 1: Kfb around. 12 sts.
Rnd 2: K all sts.
Rnd 3: Kfb, kfb, kfb, kfb, kfb, kfb, k6. 18 sts.
Rnd 4: K all sts.
Rnd5: Kfb, kl, kfb, kl, kfb, k2, kfb, k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k6. 24 sts.
Rnd 6: K all sts.
Rnd 7: Kfb, k2, kfb, k2, kfb, k4, kfb, k2, kfb, k2, kfb, k6. 30 sts.
Rnd 8: K all sts.
Rnd 9: Kfb, k3, kfb, k3, kfb, k6, kfb, k3, kfb, k3, kfb, k6. 36 sts.
Rnd 10: K all sts.
Rnd 11: Kfb, k4, kfb, k4, kfb, k8, kfb, k4, kfb, k4, kfb, k6. 42 sts.
Rnd 12: K all sts.
Rnd 13: Kfb, k5, kfb, k5, kfb, k10, kfb, k5, kfb, k5, kfb, k6. 48 sts.
Rnd 14: K all sts.
Rnd 15: Kfb, k6, kfb, k6, kfb, k12, kfb, k6, kfb, k6, kfb, k6. 54 sts.
Rnd 16: K all sts.
Rnd 17: Kfb, k7, kfb, k7, kfb, k14, kfb, k7, kfb, k7, kfb, k6. 60 sts.
Rnd 18: K all sts.
Rnd 19: Kfb, k8, kfb, k8, kfb, k16, kfb, k8, kfb, k8, kfb, k6. 66 sts.
Rnd 20: K all sts.
Rnd 21: Kfb, k9, kfb, k9, kfb, k18, kfb, k9, kfb, k9, kfb, k6. 72 sts.
Rnd 22:.K all sts.
Rnd 23: Kfb, k10, kfb, k10, kfb, k20, kfb, k10, kfb, k10, kfb, k6. 78 sts.
Rnd 24: P all sts
Rnd 25-28: K all sts.
Rnd 29: P all sts

Change to flesh colored yarn.

Rnd 30: Ssk, k10, ssk, k10, ssk, k20, k2tog, k10, k2tog, k10, k2tog, k6. 72 sts.
Rnd 31: K all sts.
Rnd 32: Ssk, k9, ssk, k9, ssk, k18, k2tog, k9, k2tog, k9, k2tog, k6. 66 sts.
Rnd 33: K all sts:
Rnd 34: Ssk, k8, ssk, k8, ssk, k16, k2tog, k8, k2tog, k8, k2tog, k6. 60 sts.
Rnd 35: K all sts.
Rnd 36: Ssk, k7, ssk, k7, ssk, k14, k2tog, k7, k2tog, k7, k2tog, k6. 54 sts.
Rnd 37: K all sts.
Rnd 38: Ssk, k6, ssk, k6, ssk, k12, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k6. 48 sts.
Rnd 39: K all sts.
Rnd 40: Ssk, k5, ssk, k5, ssk, k10, k2tog, k5, k2tog, k5, k2tog, k6. 42 sts.
Rnd 41: K all sts.
Rnd 42: *k2, k2tog* repeat from * to the last st, k1, 32 sts.
Rnd 43 – 59: K all sts.

Embroider the black band between the purl stitches on the “underwear”. Embroider the chest. Embroider the face by looking at the following photo.


After you’re done with embroidering, stuff the body with washable stuffing.

Rnd 60: *k2, k2tog*, 24 sts.
Rnd 61: K all sts.
Rnd 62: *k1, k2tog*, 16 sts.
Rnd 63: K all sts.
Rnd 64: *k2tog*, 8 sts.

Break off the yarn leaving an 18-inch tail. Using yarn needle, thread through remaining sts starting with first k2tog stitch you made (st to the left of the st). Take this opportunity to make sure the very top of the head is stuffed to your liking. Pull tail tightly to close, tie small knot into fabric very close to the opening and hide yarn end inside the toy.

Arms (make two)

CO 8 stitches in flesh colored yarn. Distribute among 3 needles (spaces) and join, being careful not to twist. Place marker.

All rounds: K all sts

Knit until arm measures 2¼” long.

Break yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail. Using yarn needle, thread through sts starting with the st to the left of the last st. Pull yarn tail firmly to close the opening. Push needle through opening, and turn arm inside out. Make small knot inside, and break yarn. Turn back to right side.

Legs (make two)

CO 12 stitches in flesh colored yarn. Distribute among 3 needles (spaces) and join, being careful not to twist. Place marker.
All rounds: K all sts.

Knit until leg measures 2½” long.

Last round: *k2tog* around. 6 sts.

Break yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail. Using yarn needle, thread through sts starting with first k2tog stitch you made (st to the left of the st). Pull yarn tail firmly to close the opening. Push needle through opening, and turn leg inside out. Make small knot inside, and break yarn. Turn back to right side.

Cape:

The cape is knit flat

CO 60 sts in red yarn.

Knit in stockinette for 1½” (knit first row, purl second, etc. . .)

*k2, k2tog*, 45 sts.

Knit in stockinette for 1”

*k2, k2tog* to the last st, k1, 34 sts.

Knit in stockinette for ¾”

*k2, k2tog* to the last 2 sts, k2tog, 25 sts.

Knit in stockinette for 1¼”

Next Row: K 25, Loop CO 18 sts, 43 sts.
Next Row: Purl 43, loop CO 18 sts, 60 sts.
Next Row: K60
Next Row: P60
Next Row: K60
Next Row: P60
Bind off.

Finishing

Stuff the arms and legs.

Sew pieces to body using photo as reference.


Alternative (if you want to sit it on a computer):

Knit the body as shown above. Before you stuff it, slip a bean bag into the bottom of the body. Stuff as per pattern. Sew the feet towards the front so you can sit him.

Please email a URL of a photo once you're done with him.

I may make a shirt, pants and toupee to make him into a Mr. Krupp.





This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Vas o No Vas

Ever watch Deal or No Deal? I really and truly hate that show. As someone who loves game shows, this one is really awful. There's nothing to it other than Howie asking someone if they want money. The only way I've been able to really tolerate it is to watch it in fast forward (I have one of those DVR thingies).

Well, last night I was flipping around the channels and came across Vas o No Vas on Telemundo. It was SO much more fun to watch. The ladies are dressed up sluttier than the American version and they dance in unison, too!

The banker is represented by a woman who comes out of the vault, stares at the camera with lots of eye make-up while opening the case. She's wearing what I would consider Fredericks of Hollywood style business suit.

Oh, and the top money is only $250,000.

Of course instead of yelling "Deal" at the television, I now have to scream "Vas."

FO-Captain Underpants

I finally did it. I made my own stuffed plushy. With much inspiration from Jess Hutch's Sphery pattern, let me introduce my version of Captain Underpants:
M loves him. He's actually a Christmas gift for one of my nephews. I may have to make one for her.

Mystery Plushy

I have been musing about making one of these for a while now and just couldn't resist casting on and seeing if I can cobble something together. It will be a gift for one of my nephews in Nashville and I suspect M will want one, too.


Care to guess what I'm knitting? It's my own adaptation from the Sphery pattern from Jess Hutch.

Busy, busy knitter

I'm furiously trying to knit up as much stuff as I can for the holidays.

Here's the finished Garterlac dishcloth:

Here's a flower petal dish cloth:
Here's my mother's Lost Points Shawl
Close up:
Next, my friend GOAM has a mother whom she describes as being a Martha Stewart type. GOAM is the anti-MS. Here's a piece of cake she made from the top of one of those cake forms for a Halloween party:Suitably creepy!

Can you imagine?

Can you imagine some day when we have an astronaut who is classified as an alien archaeologist?

FO-Candy Corn Illusion Dishcloth

This month's Mid October Monthly Dishcloth pattern. From the front, it looks like a normal striped washcloth:

From the side, you see a candy corn.

Pretty cool, huh?

Lost Points Shawl

I am finally knitting in the round on Mom's shawl (the middle is knitted flat). It should knit up fast from here. I'm not a fan of knitting with ladder yarn, but it does look dramatic once you have it knitted up.
Just a note. I'm using the KnitPicks Options needles. While I like the needles and the cords, I still wish they had the little do-dads that could lengthen the cords (an extender) like the Denise System has. It would make knitting this just a little easier.

Garterlac in progress

It's a good thing that someone has put together a photo tutorial for this pattern. It took me at least three or four times to get the hang of where everything goes.

FO-Double Flower Dishcloth

Here's another finished dishcloth. This is a free pattern called Yvonne's Double Flower Cloth

I did it again. . . knitted a lacy thing in a variegated yarn. Buh.

FO-Mosaic Snowflake Dishcloth

I really enjoyed knitting the Mason Dixon Knitting ball band dishcloth. On one of the many knitting lists I read, someone posted that it was a simplified Mosaic pattern.

I checked out the Barbara Walker Mosaic Knitting book from my local library and knitted the snowflake pattern.

If you haven't tried Mosaic Knitting, it's worth checking out. This was a lot of fun to knit.

Note: Mosaic knitting is just a whole bunch of slip stitches - not fair isle. You just carry one color across at a time (basically knit with one color for two rows, then switch). I could do a picture tutorial if anyone is interested.

Drawing

One of the things I was not prepared for with motherhood is the MASSIVE amount of art work M can create. Consequently, I end up having to stealthily trash the massive amount (bad mom) - which is getting progressively more difficult as M now cruises by the trash in search of treasures she's created.

Some times I come across some savers.

We read a lot to M. Her favorite books have been the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey. We sent away for a free newsletter and it had a tutorial on how to draw Captain Underpants. Here's M's version:

I think she did a pretty good job!

She's also reading and, thus, trying to figure out how to spell everything. Of course it's all being done phonetically. I just love this:

I think she's trying to say "Have a good work."

Continuing TV shows

I'm still watching some other established shows.

Battlestar Galactica (Sci Fi Fridays)

I need to go and watch the stupid Webisodes that are free to watch on Sci Fi. I feel like I missed out on a whole season of shows and was put into the middle of a whole new story line that I just haven't been following.

Lost (ABC, Wednesdays)

Love this show. Love it, love it, love it. I like how they've followed the same story line from three different perspectives. Seeing the plane break in half from the ground was stunning. I also still don't get "the Others".

Nip/Tuck (F/X, Tuesdays)

This has been a fun series, but it is starting to lose it's way. They need to pull a Seinfeld on this one and wrap it up. We're starting to revisit story lines that have already been done.

Gray's Anatomy (ABC, Thursdays)

This is just fun. I hate that Merideth has picked McDreamy as the one. I like McVet (sigh). I also like the new addition of McSteamy. I also like how they're showing Callie (who is a bit on the chunky side) as a sex object.

Lost Points Shawl

I started knitting this shawl a while back. It's knitted with Melody, which is a ladder yarn, and it came in a hank. I had some trouble winding it into a ball, so I draped the hank around the arm of my chair and left it there. Well, as some of you know, I have a four year old. She sat down in my chair and proceeded to push the yarn off the arm chair because it was tickling her.

My hank became the dreaded knot.

I tried and tried to untangle it, but it became more tangled. I finally just gave up on it.

But my mom bought the yarn and really wants the shawl. I was at a local yarn shop that was going out of business and they had the very yarn I hate on sale. What was nice this time, however, is that the Melody was being sold in a ball - not a hank! A good knitting friend had given me a Yarn Clam a while back.

I now do not hate ladder yarns as much as I once did. They're still a little unruly, but they knit up so dramatically. I hope I can get the shawl done before mom's next cruise in November.

Another Yuletide Gnome

These little fella's are just so cute

The gray bearded one is the latest addition to my Gnome Menagerie. I knitted the body and the hat in the round. The hands and arms could have been done in the round, but I needed DPN's and didn't have any. I'm using glass beads for the weights in the second one instead of black eyed peas. I also had to comb the beards to get them nice and fluffy.

Added Note: I got the pattern from the Christmas supplement issue of Simply Knitting #8 (November, 2005).

Christmas Dishcloth

I finally knitted the MDK Bobble Dishcloth. The soap is a $1 purchase from Michael's.


Now the best part:
I just love the way this looks and it knits up fairly quickly. This is what the teachers at school are getting for winter break this year.

Bulky Baby Bibbed Pullover & Umbilical Cord Hat

This knitted up incredibly fast. Baby Boucle from Bernat. Free sweater (Bulky Baby Bibbed Pullover) pattern from here. The hat is an Ubilical Cord hat pattern from SnB. This was an easy three night knit. :)

Coolest photo ever

I got this photo from an on-line acquaintance :


I encourage you to click on the URL above so you can see the photo better. The space geek in me really thinks this is cool. I mean, we have a satellite orbiting Mars that can photograph our robotic surface drones and send back photos to earth.

It's not as cool as living in space like the Jetsons, but its still very cool.

5 things my DH does that's great

DH has "tagged me" and wants me to list the five things about him that's great.

1. Honest - Good or bad, I always know where I stand with him.
2. Fatherhood - he was a reluctant father, but has overcome any fears he may have had and is a WONDERFUL Dad!
3. Attentive - I can get off in the weeds at times and it's nice to have some to remind me to get back on track.
4. Supportive - J's a feminist and believes in me when I don't even believe in myself.
5. Humorous - J has made me laugh every day I've ever been around him.

So, J, you are just a terrific husband!

If you read this, consider yourself tagged. What are 5 things that your spouse/significant other does that's great?

The New Fall Lineup & Other Shows

One question I get from some of my fellow knitters is how can I get so much stuff done. Well, I knit while I watch television. I always keep my knitting in my purse so if I'm stuck waiting somewhere, I can get a few rows in.

But it's the fall season and I have some observations.

Heroes (NBC Monday nights) is in the former spot held by Surface. It's pretty slick and the story line is still just introducing the characters. I'm interested, but if they don't move the story along, they're going to lose me. It was a nice twist on the last episode with the Japanese guy (who's name is, ironically enough, Hiro)seeing the bomb and going back in time. If you haven't seen the shows on television, you can always see them on their web-page.

Kidnapped (NBC Wednesdays) versus Vanished (Fox Mondays)

Okay, these two shows are SO similar it's actually hard for me to keep the story's separate. I mean, the bad guys have distinguishing tattoo marks in both shows.

I think Vanished will go the way of the Da Vinci code. I find the name funny - it's a direct rip off of Lost - right down to the way the shows title is presented - black background with white lettering. The jury is out on this one. I think I'm drawn to watching the show because I have a secret crush on Gale Harold - the guy who plays Agent Grahm Kelton. I also have a weakness for liking secret society story lines.

Kidnapped looks like it's a 24 knock off. My thought on Kidnapped is that this season will be about the Timothy Hutton character's family. Next season will be another family - with the main character portrayed by Jeremy Sisto (of Six Feet Under fame). I'm not as drawn to this one as Vanished, but I'm keeping up with the series - for now.

THE BEST NEW SHOW OF THE SEASON: Jericho (CBS Wednesdays)

This show is dark and scary. I mean it's basically The Day After - the series. It's been a surprisingly good show and it's worth watching. I stumbled onto this show while flipping the channel looking for something to watch. I caught the end of the second episode and found it to be really good. I was able to go on-line and get caught up. If you haven't seen this, then get caught up.

Nuclear war scared the hell out of me when I was a kid. In the fifth grade my teacher showed us all the duck and cover movies and also showed us movies about the potential of nuclear war. I had nightmares over this and worried about it.

Jericho brings back some of those old fears.

Books

I'm a reader - I always have a book going. I'd say I read about half an hour to an hour a day.

This summer has been hit and miss in terms of reading.

I borrowed Laura Hamilton's latest book in her Anita the Vampire Hunter series, The Killing Dance.

Note to Ms. Hamilton: Ms. Hamilton, you've really lost me as a reader. Your books have become porn, and are just downright boring. You just haven't written a good book in YEARS and have become lazy. I keep telling myself that I will stop reading the series, but I keep getting the next one in hopes that you will stop being lazy and start writing STORIES. What happened to you? If you're board with Anita, then give the series a rest. I'm a patient fan. I can wait. But you have lost my trust. I will not be reading any more of your books.

Charlaine Harris, on the other hand, is a terrific writer. Her Susie Stackhouse series is just terrific and every novel has a great storyline. I finished reading her Definitely Dead book this summer and enjoyed it immensely. Alan Ball, of Six Feet Under/American Beauty fame must agree - he's currently developing a series for HBO based on this character.

Brava, Ms. Harris. Brava.

And finally, I finished reading Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Scion book. I think this was book #4 in that series and it's been terrific. I thought the series had been tied up with the first three, but she did a great job with focusing in on another character. Well worth the read.

I finally started reading the Honor Harrington Series by David Weber. I'm hooked. It's a little like Star Trek, without all the aliens, but with a British Navy perspective. I love strong female protagonists, and Mr. Weber does a great job with Honor Harrington. There's some technical stuff that gets a little dull, but I've found that I can skim it and still get the gist of the narrative. I'm currently reading the second book in the series and am flying through it.

FO - Mid-September Dishcloth KAL

I was able to knit this up on Sunday afternoon/evening.

It's the Monthy Dishcloth Knit-a-long pattern for mid-September. I used SnC Gumdrop. I'm sending it to my sister for her birthday. Here's the final gift:

J had the idea to wrap the dishcloth around the foamy soap. I love how it looks like a snuggly robe. A while back, I bought 5 foaming soaps for $15 from Bath & Body works. I've slowly been sending them out with birthday gifts. I have one left and that's going to be for my mom.

Added Note: Someone from MonthlyDishcloth Yahoo! group has dubbed the above gift as the dishwashing diva.

I love the name!

FO - Baby Hooded Cardi

Here's the front:

Here's the back.

Of course, we're our own worst critics. I just hate how the seams showed on the finished item. If you ask J, he says it looks great.

I knitted this using the 2 year instructions. It looks more like an 18T to me. I attribute this to using a sport weight yarn (verses using the boucle).

I also had to go up on the button size. The pattern said to use 5/16" and I ended up with 9/16". The 5/16" buttons just weren't keeping the cardi closed.

The final recipient is VERY happy with the final result - which makes me happy, too. I've decided to make a custom baby item for my daughter's school auction since this has been received so well.

Dieting porn

I opened my email this morning to be faced with this:

While I know nothing is forbidden on Weight Watchers, this Sundae looks like it would cost SO much in points.

Stupid diet. Stupid email.