new mag!
Hey ya'll: check out this clever new knitting magazine: magknits! Several cute patterns and articles, all free. My favorite may be the awesome knitted java jacket by Mariko of SuperEggplant fame. And I love that the patterns are available in PDF format too. The tank designed by Annie Modesitt is wonderful also. Go check it out, ladies!

donuts
As a break from this regularly scheduled knitblog, I bring you: hot, fresh, NOW Krispy Kreme doughnuts! Go ahead--you know you wanna! Did you know:

• that I live in the very town that is home to the worldwide headquarters for Krispy Kreme?
• that it's the same town that is home to the worldwide headquarters for one of the largest tobacco companies in the world?
• that nobody in my house smokes, but my husband adores KK donuts?
• that I don't really like donuts too much but will eat one from time to time?
• and finally, that I bought these to my job today to share with my co-workers, just because I'm nice?

OK, maybe that last one's a bit of a stretch--I admit there might've been somewhat of an ulterior motive. But everybody (except me, it seems) adores these little balls of fat!

guilty pleasures?
Just thinking about doughnuts and cigarettes makes me think about my own guilty pleasures. Here are a few, in no particular order:

• The Young and the Restless (and The Bold and the Beautiful): I got started watching these frothy soaps years ago when I was fresh out of college. I don't watch 'em much but every so often I have to check in to see what Victor, Brad, Jack, Nikki, Ashley and co. are up to.
• Game Boy: I own a surprising number of these little cartridges and always take one of my three handheld Game Boy systems anytime I travel. Zelda or Mario, anyone?
• 80s music: I have way-too-many "back in the day" CDs, including Duran Duran, The Cure, The Police, Devo, David Bowie, Blondie, the B-52s... you get the picture. I ought to just face facts and realize that I'm getting grey-haired and OLD and need to find some new music to listen to!

OK, your turn! xoxo

interweave knits
Picked up a copy of this at the LYS last week--and I do agree with Kerstin: I liked most everything except the ratty hair and "mininal" makeup of the blonde model. But all was forgiven when I noticed the subscriber-only code to access the password-protected part of the IK website--yay! I quickly downloaded all the PDF patterns that appealed to me, including the gorge fair-isle sweater by Annie Modesitt. Hooray!

plastic?

You are plastic. Futuristic, milky, and silky, you are willing to go where no crafter has gone before. You can do just about anything, with strength agility, and pretty colors to boot! While you are good at slipping and sliding out of sticky situations, remember to stay where and when you are needed. Don't overdo it on star gazing when there's earthbound knitting to be done!

What kind of knitting needles are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

...sigh... I guess there are worse things, although I hate knitting with plastic needles--I've developed a very dangerou$ preference for the delightful Addi Turbo needles. Bah. Happy Monday, everyone!

shire pattern available
I decided to post the shire pattern for purchase. Why spend $5.00 on a scarf pattern?

1. This pattern includes a detailed explanation of the reversible cable rib stitch, complete with photos
2. instructions provided for both right and left-handed knitters
3. PDF download means that you can store it on your computer and print it out as needed--no more worries about crumpled/dog-eared/worn-out patterns
4. This pattern is a great cure for the "garter-stitch scarf" boredom syndrome, but is still easy. Learn a new stitch!

Get yours today!

other ideas
For those of you who have been checking in since my blog first went live back in September, you have probably noticed that I like designing knitted patterns, mostly for myself and my family. What sort of patterns do you guys want to see and/or be willing to pay for? I'm still going to post free patterns here from time to time also, just because it's fun. What's on your knitting pattern wish list?

i'm not a sock ho, really
Still not daunted by the reality of the single sock syndrome (in which a knitter happily knits through the first of a pair of socks and is tired of knittin' 'em before starting the second sock), I started yet another pair of socks the other day. I absolutely love the self-striping yarns--they are like candy to me. Can't stop buying it, can't stop knittin' it. SSSY Anonymous, here I come.

a word about lion brand
While not a big fan of many of the inexpensive acrylic yarns (first and foremost because they pill), I do like many of the yarn types offered by Lion Brand. For instance, Wool-Ease does pill a little but is great for durable, machine washable gloves and socks. And to be quite honest, I've been waiting for the local A.C. Moore to stock Magic Stripes for a year (when I noticed an announcement in Vogue Knitting magazine). And now that I'm into my first skein of the stuff, I am surprised that they call for size 4 needles on the ball band. Are they afraid that nobody'll buy the stuff if they say it's best to use US 2s for socks? I'm using my size 2s, and seem to be getting just slightly over my normal sock gauge (which is fine, since the recipient of these socks has big, burly feet). It really seems almost identical to any of the Regia yarns, including the fiber content of mostly superwash wool (except I will concede that there are more interesting colorways in the Regia line). But: what may be the best thing about Magic Stripes is that supposedly one skein will make a pair of socks (as opposed to most of the designer self-striping brands where you have to buy two skeins). Budget knitters, unite!

i heart you
Have a great day hugging those people close to you! xoxo

me too, Gib

You are Merino Wool. You are very easygoing and sweet. People like to
keep you close because you are so softhearted.
You love to be comfortable and warm from your
head to your toes.

What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Very interesting!

what's next?
Now that I've converted some of the WIPs into FOs, I've been contemplating what to work on next. One of the projects that's caught my eye is the must have cardigan, a pattern by Patons. I also like the cabled hoodie on the cover of this pattern booklet, which I bought a couple of weeks ago and have been mulling over. You guys might've already noticed that I prefer the instant gratification of the small (non-sweater) project, so a sweater might be too much committment for me right now. And of course the prideful/creative part of me says "design your own!" Someone's even created a Yahoo group for the must-have--can you tell that maybe my mind's already made up?

finally: introducing... shire!
At long last I completed the hubscarf yesterday afternoon, and have been tickled to see how much DH likes it. He's been wearing it around the house, and had it on in public today at church. I will admit that when I picked out the color it didn't occur to me that the stripes of burnt sienna, browns, etc. would work so well with his fair complexion and reddish hair, but for the record, I'll tell everyone *else* I planned it that way!

   And as for the name: besides being still a bit homesick for Viggo Mortensen (like every other middle-aged woman I know, sigh!) and Middle Earth, I figure if it ever got cold in the Shire, the scarf might be something a hobbit would wear to keep his neck warm. My husband, being an ardent fan of Tolkien, approves of the name, so it can't be too terribly corny, can it?

the friday five
This looked fun, so I thought I'd give it a try:

1. What's the most daring thing you've ever done? Adoption is pretty daring, but another thing that comes to mind is the time in high school I anonomously wrote several poems about popular/well-known individuals and posted 'em in public places. I was eventually found out, but surprisingly nobody got mad at me!
2. What one thing would you like to try that your mother/friend/significant other would never approve of? I think I'm too old now, but I always wanted to join the Peace Corps. Anybody know the upper age cutoff? Maybe I can participate in a similar program when/if I retire!
3. On a scale of 1-10, what's your risk factor? (1=never take risks, 10=it's a lifestyle) Oh, I guess I'm probably about a six--I admit I like to stay in my comfort zone most of the time, but am willing to do daring things when/if it's the right thing to do.
4. What's the best thing that's ever happened to you as a result of being bold/risky? Up to this point, it would have to be the leap of faith I took seven years ago when my husband and I agreed to raise (full-time) his son (now 13). I'm hoping a few months from now I'll be able to say that about my little girl too!
5. ... and what's the worst? I took a chance on a lemon years ago at a car dealership--does that count? :)

caught in the act!
Look who I found, trying to steal Osiris's new kitty bed! Of course she's hastily trying to get up and vacate the scene of the crime, but my camera was too fast for her! There's a reason why we call this cat the root of all evil.

flat tire
It was a somewhat frustrating day today, mostly because I woke up to the news that one of the tires on my truck was flat as a pancake. So I drove (yes, on the rim, but only a mile or two) to the auto center and waited over an hour and a half for a new tire to replace the worn-out one. And what did I do to pass the time, other than watch re-runs of Sanford and Son? Knit, that's what, on the unending hubscarf. Guess what, I'm on the last skein now! Ever noticed how knitting makes an otherwise boring wait actually fun?

new car?
It's an entire year before my husband's car will be paid off, but I've got new car lust. I figured I may as well begin the research on picking out a replacement for my '92 Isuzu Pickup. I've had this car as the original owner for almost 12 years and it's been a great vehicle, but it's time to think about getting something a little more family-friendly. Here's what I'm looking for:

1. four-door
2. roomy enough for 4 or 5 adults to ride comfortably (I cart my sister and BIL around a fair amount)
3. no mini-van (I think because I want something with better visibility, plus I don't fit [or wanna fit] the stereotype of the soccer mom)
4. affordable (15-18 K would be ideal)
5. new or late-model used
6. fire-engine red
7. a high safety rating

I'm not asking a lot, am I? Heh-heh! What vehicles do you moms like the best and why? Right now I've got the list narrowed down to the Jeep Liberty, but since I have plenty of time to continue my research and raise cash, I'm happy to consider other options. Plus, it's been 12 years since I bought a car, so maybe the rules have changed and I don't know what I'm doing anymore. What say ye, oh wise consumer mavens?

hmmmmm
Now I remember why I don't knit scarves often--when I get to the point where I say "I'm bored with this" I look down and realize there's still miles and miles to go! OY!
   Actually, as scarves go, this one is a dream. Other than the fact that I have start-itis and am itching to start something new. I am only a skein and a half from being finished, so that's a good thing, although I didn't finish in time for DH's birthday, oh well. I gave him a nice collection of other goodies, so his attention is temporarily diverted.

kitty bed
Some of you may've already seen Osiris in his new bed over at Wendy's blog--her gallery is growing and I just love to see all the kitties enjoying their new cuddle places.

adoption update
Our dossier (a huge pile of paperwork affirming to our fitness as adoptive parents) has finally made it down to Ecuador, and the people ahead of us have gotten the thumbs-up to travel. So, the long months of waiting may soon come to an end! Will you guys mind if this blog (temporarily) turns into an Ecuadorian adoption travel blog while we're on our trip?
   Speaking of Ecuadorian adoption, check out this awesome site done by one of my online buddies celebrating the adoption of her adorable daughter Nantar. This site is too-cute-for-words but may also give you all a sense of what we're fixin' to do!