Iris' Knit n Things

"Oh Christmas tree” This year I had no intention of putting up a tree, until my four years old grand daughter came for a visit. There's something about seeing a little kid get so excited about decorated a tree, the excitement is too contagious to resists. So this year I allow my little lady bug have at it. Well sure I helped a little, I mean she's barely three foot tall. It’s been a while since I’ve last posted anything, I’ve done a little spinning and knitting here and there, but not as much as I would have liked to. The house has really occupied most of my time. I have completed another pair of socks; the pattern used was one of my favorite, called Monkey. I have a couple of sweaters I would like to cast for; even so, I have made a promise to complete a couple of unfinished projects before I being any new projects. Happy Holidays to all.

After Here’s the transformation. I simply love my new floors. With the new paint job, I really think the wood brings out the colors. I can’t wait to get the rest of the stuff in and organized. I have wanted to do this ever since I brought this house. This will be another item to check off the list of things that I want to complete before the year end. I am trying to decide, if I should stop dying my hair and just let the gray grow. I try to see how it would look and to be honest; I don’t think I really like it. I don’t know if it’s the fact that it makes me look older or the reality that I have so much gray hair in the first place. I think I’ll wait a couple of more years and then let it go. For now I’ve made an appointment and the grays got to go. There goes for going natural. Have a great weekend.

Before. This is what my living room looks like now, the carpets been removed and soon there be smooth hardwood floors to enjoy. For now I must show patience and watch as little by little it all comes to a final climax. Even so, it’s taking so long. I know these things take time and in the end it will all be worth the wait. Meantime, as the men work hard to accomplish their task, I will keep myself busy and out of their way spinning this lovely autumn color merino wool. I've divided the wool in half to have enough for a pair of socks, or maybe a pair of gloves. Here's the result of that portion of the wool that I have completed spinning and plying. It’s a bit more yellow then I would have liked, I am hoping that it will look better once it’s knitted into something special. Next post we hope to have the grand finale and maybe an after shot.

Marty and Me! How can any one resist these two early in the morning, if that does not bring a smile to your face, I don't know what will. The weather is starting to cool down a bit, well 80 is cool for us, after almost 4 weeks of 100 to 90 degrees weather, 80 start to feel darn good. There has been so many things going on this year that I can't seem to grasp that it's almost coming to an end. Soon the Holidays will be upon us, another year will end with so much still left to do. I have started several projects around the house that needed mending, after the tenants moved out. Little by little they are starting to take place. Thank goodness I have a partner who's handy with power tools. He's made these project go a lot smoother. I should have taken before and after pictures. Next week the carpet will be removed and wood will be laid out. Once this is completed, I get to move in the rest of my stuff. Which is going to be a job in itself, since I brought back a ton of

Going Green I wanted to do something about all those plastic bags, that are so bad for the environment. I made this from cotton Debbie Bliss yarn, in Demin blue. It's strong and can really stretch, so you can carry a lot. It was a really quick knit. I got the pattern from KnitPicks, it's free so check them out. http://www.knitpicks.com/ .

Hold.... Which is the state in which all things fun to me have been for the last few months. Hoping that soon I'll be able to have the time to enjoy some knitting, spinning, or weaving. I don't know how those TV shows, where they show you how to remodel your home, always makes it look like so much fun. Don't believe a second of it. It's all hard work, and never ending. The only good part, is when it's done. Well by then you love the results and want to do something else. A vicious cycle I tell you. In the knitting department, I've not picked up a knitting needle or project for that matter in weeks. I've done no spinning, or weaving. I do keep up with what what's new in knitting. Like the new Knit Picks wooden knitting needles. Any one seen them? They look really cool. Work has been going well. I've made some new friends, even got invited to be part of a wedding. Still in other areas, I am being tested a bit, which is playing with some of my decision

First Circus Circus was in town, so I took my granddaughter. She even got to be part of the act, not bad for her first circus. Currently, I don't really have much in the knitting department. Did manage to spin two skeins of yarn, I plan to use the yarn to knit up some socks. Trying to accumulate several pairs of socks for holiday gifts, I like to make little baskets with coffee, mugs, and a pair of socks, sometimes tea for those non-coffee drinkers. They make quick gifts and I find people really enjoy them. Some are surprise when they see a pair of knit socks as gifts, even so, they soon learn how comfortable a pair of home made socks can truly be. I am still getting settle from my move from Germany. Looking forward to being back in my house, among my own things. Must mention that I've also found a new friend. Meet Marty the yorkie. He and my grandchild have been getting acquainted. He's a real sweetheart and has a great personality. I think we're all going to get alon

Tidal Wave It’s been a while since I’ve last posted on my blog. So many things are going on these last few weeks in my life that I’ve had little time to do the things I enjoy most. Like knitting and spinning, even so, I’ve manage to complete these socks. A pattern called Tidal Wave by Debby Lake. The pattern was simple and a quick knit. The yarn is merino which I have spun and dye. Hope everyone is keeping cool during these hot and humid days.

Summer Days Summer has arrive with a bang. We have been getting 90 degrees weather and according to the weather man, it's going to be that way for the rest of this week. In the knitting department, I’ve completed a mesh bag. I wanted something to use instead of plastic bags. I used some really nice denim cotton yarn from Debbie Bliss. I’ll post a picture next time. So far this month has been full of changes. Every attempt to try to accomplish something positive has been encounter with some kind of blockage. At first, I was becoming emotional wondering if nothing could possibly go right. Now I’ve come to the conclusion that maybe there’s a reason for everything. I’ll just go play with some yarn and get lost in something that always feels right.

Dream Weaving Here’s my first attempt on weaving, albeit a little wonky on the salvage. I find the whole process of weaving invigorating. You watch your pattern just come to life right in front of your eyes. What I weave is a sampler of different patterns, I used cotton as its cheaper and I did not want to waste good wool. Imaging how beautiful weaving a scarf using a blend of silk and moreno yarn will be. In the knitting department, I've done nothing but complete a pair of socks and start another for a Sock knit along. Maryland Sheep and wool festival was a lot of fun. This is what I brought at the festival.

Cheese! This is my little Ladybug.

Green Monday, I don't think I've ever own a pair of green sock in my life. Well I do now. Still have to block them into shape. I made these a little shorter in order to wear them during the warmer weather. For this pair I used a cotton wool blend yarn from Opal. We have a fiber group that likes to get together once a month to do all things fiber. We have weavers, knitters, needlework; however, the majorities are spinners. It was great to see some old faces and many new ones. Some of the members own angora goats. They have the most amazing mohair you have ever seen. I love to blend this fiber with wool and spin for lace. I am so missing my spinning wheel. I’ve also discover, that there's a new Yarn store in town. I hear they have some gorgeous yarn to drool over. I normally do most of my spinning during the summer and I tend to knit more during the fall and winter. So it’s like I automatically go into spinning mode. I won’t be getting my stuff till July. Meantime, I foun

Easter Sock I just completed knitting this sock, which has colors that remind me of Easter eggs. The pattern used is free on the Internet. Hatsuyo's Lacy Sock . I would recommend using a solid color in order to see the lovely lacy stitches. Even so, the pattern created by the Opal yarn was interesting. I don't recall the color of this Opal yarn. I believe it may be from the tropical colllection.

Georgia, Sweet Georgia! I made it home. Here's a picture of Broad street in Atlanta. Home is about another 2 1/2 hours from there. I am glad to say, I made it home all in one piece. To travel now a days, you have to be in the Airport with in 3 hours of your flight. Security has really taken the fun out of traveling. I don't think I'll be getting on a plane anytime soon. I use to love to travel, now it's just not worth all the trouble. I think I'll just try to travel all around the USA in a car or train to see what it has to offer. I know there are tons of wonderful things to see right here in the good old USA. In the knitting department I've only had time to knit socks.

Remember the baby blanket I made? Well it was made for this pretty lady in red. My grand niece. Isabella Marie, born on December 12, 2006

Sock Week ! I made these for my Mother. This pattern is called Hedera designer Cookie And these are for a quarterly sock Knit along. It so happens that both of these sock are from the same designer. The light blue yarn is "Opal" and the darker yarn is "Socks that Rock yarn" called "Blue Moon" a light weight Moreno. The pattern is called " Monkey ". I had taken the label off the Opal yarn so I don't remember the color name, only that it was cotton. The Monkey sock pattern is very easy and a quick pattern to knit. I plan to use it again. The next time I post anything, I will be back in the States. I think I'll miss Germany a little. I've met some really great people. Even so, I look forward to being close to my love ones back home. I use to attend a group called the "Tangle Threaders" of Fiber aficionados, who got together once a month and share projects, ideas and chats. It was a mixture of Knitters, Spinners, Weavers, Croc

Happy New Year! So far this year has started with a bang. I return from my trip stateside, and found out that I shall be leaving Europe within a month or so. I decided to spend the Holiday weekend in Paris and what a weekend indeed. I had such a fantastic time site seeing all over Paris. Here I am riding a boat through the river, you can see how lovely the Eiffel Tower looks with all her lights on. The Champs-Elysees is one of the most beautiful mile-long stretch of road that I've ever seen. It's got the coolest shops and things to see, and if you're walking up to the Arc de Triomphe, it will be one of the most unforgettable experiences that you will have in Paris. If you're hungry, though, and don't want to spend a lot on food, avoid this street like the plague, and go into one of the little side streets instead and eat like a local. In the Musee du Louve, I got to see the Mona Lisa. Later on I visit Notre-Dame and the Napoleon's Tomb. My last stop before retu