Iris' Knit n Things

Are we there yet? This is Mario, my new Yorkie Puppy. My other Yorkie, Marty, really needed a friend to run around with, and play. I am happy to say they're getting along wonderfully. I was afraid there would be some Alpha dog issues. Marty is more then happy to allow Mario hang out with him, well, as long as he does not try to eat his food. I've always had a special fondness for the Yorkshire breed. I know they can be a bit yappy, and at times hard to housebreak (I don't have a problem training). They are just so loving, protective, and just so darn funny. The things they do are just simply adorable. They just don't allow their small statue stop them from doing anything that they have set their minds to accomplish. Currently, in the fiber world, I am knitting a little something for myself, along with some socks for a gift. I'll post pictures later. I've been spinning more so then knitting, due to the warmer weather. Happy Knitting

Kniters use the term Sweater Curse or the Curse of the Love Sweater to describe a situation in which a knitter gives a hand-knit sweater to a significant others, who quickly breaks up with the knitter. In an alternative formulation, the relationship will end before the sweater is even completed. The belief is widely discussed in knitting publications and some knitter claim to have experienced the Sweater Curse; a recent poll indicated that 15% of active knitters say they have experienced the sweater curse firsthand, and 41% consider it a possibility that should be taken seriously. I found this explaination on Wikipedia. Upon doing my own research. The conclusion I made is that; I believe if you have a really new relationship, and have not established his like or dislikes. Then maybe you should wait a little before knitting the sweater. With that said, I have a picture of my boyfriend, with one of the sweaters I have knitted for him. I think it’s important to allow them to select the ...

2009 is here. I wonder what wondrous thing this year will bring us. 2008 was good to me, I can’t complain at all, considering all that has happen during that year. I must say I was truly blessed. I hope 2009 will continue more of the same. I don’t normally make resolutions, as I feel I prefer to set goals. This year, I am going to try to be healthier, to myself and to the Earth. This picture that I have posted is a quilt I have started about nine years ago. I can’t believe it took me so long to complete this quilt. That is correct nine years! I started this quilt in 2000, and then had to stop, due to other priorities, started again in 2007, with the intention to get back to it some time soon. Two weeks ago, I came across it while looking for something else. Right there and then, I decided that it will be completed before this year ended. So here it is, in all its glory. I am so proud, you do know what this means? Yes, I must start another quilt.

Now that the Elections are finally over, we can all concentrate on the up coming Holiday’s Seasons. It has been a Historic year, with our new President elect Obama. What has truly surprise me this year, has been the excitement of the young children. My Granddaughter, who is barely five, has been an Obama advocate. First things she asked upon waking up after Election Day was “Who Won!” To say she was very happy to hear the outcome would be an understatement. Instead just take a look at this picture and see if you can see her excitement upon finding out who will be our New President. In the knitting department, I’ve started a sweater for myself, along with putting together a hooded jacket for my granddaughter. In the meantime, I’ve started a project which includes researching, an old myth. This myth is about the theories that if you knit a boyfriend a sweater he will most likely leave you. So many ladies are afraid to knit fiancee' sweaters, because of this theory. Personally, I have...

I had some Lamb Pride wool, in a color in which I wasn't too crazy about. So I made this. A bag for my laptop! It's really nice and thick, so if I bang it around, my laptop will be protected and safe. If you're interested in the pattern. It is located at www.knitty.com. It's a really simple, and quick project to knit.

Funk, a word used to describe "to shrink from undertaking or facing." It can also be used to describe “a strong offensive smell." To my understanding, this just about covers all the feeling I associate with being in a Funk. It simply stinks. I am happy to say, I am determine to get out of this state of emotions and tackle some long over due projects. Like this for example. A sweater I started last year for my son. I used Knit and Picks, Wool of the Andes. In a color called Wheat. It was suppose to be in one color. However, once I began knitting for the sleeves. I discover, I did not have enough yarn to complete the sleeves, and to my dismay. Knit Picks, no longer sold this dye. My solution was to find a contrasting color, and what could be better then "Chocolate”.

Here she is, Armando's little granddaughter Kalina. She's so cute. He just wants to hold her all day long. I am afraid she's going to get spoiled with grandpa. A new baby, so you know what that means... Lots of knitting, especially for little girls. So how do you feel about lavender Kalina?

A picture of what the shawl I am knitting will look like.It's taking over one year to complete. I don't know why, but I just could not get my mojo right when I was knitting this one. I love knitting with Koigu PPPM yarn and it's colors are so pretty. However, the pattern was not easy to read. Hope everyone is having a great 4th of July. I would like to give a shout out to the VELAZQUEZ family who are having their first family reunion today in Florida. There's nothing like family getting together and having a great time reminiscing about the good old days...

What's up Girlfriend! I am so excited to have found one of my best friends in life. She came into my life during a time when I really needed a friend. As we got older, we lost touch, but thanks to myspace, we've connected again. I have a feeling that nothing is going to be the same again. We have so much catching up to do. Besitos chica!!!

It's a brand new day and..............I'm feeling good! Well hello everyone in blog world. It's been such a long time since I've last posted. Let's just say Decemeber was a month of ending. Many things in my world and for those in my families' world had ended in December. Now in June, things are starting to really heat up and bloom. For one thing, today I am a year older, and I have to admit, I am feeling really good. Took the day off from work, just to do some thing special for myself. Pedicure, shop for some new cloth, and maybe some nice summer shoes. Packing up and heading to the beach for the weekend with my favorite people in the world. Yeah life is good. Hey did you think I forgot the knitting, spinning and any other fiber related hobbies? Heck no, I am still spinning, trying to polish off some gray shetland wool. Still have two shawls, one sweater, and two pair of socks to complete. I've also started a bag to hold my laptop. It's felted and I lov...

Quick Note It's been a while since my last post. All is well in the knitting department. Mostly trying to catch up with unfinish projects. For example, I have a baby blanket for a baby in May, a sweater for my son, and several other small items. Mostly getting ready for family visit in March. I am also excited to teach my sister how to knit. Now we can chat about our projects and give each other tips. Well with that said, I leave you with a pair of socks I've completed for a Knit along. If anyone is interested on the pattern, which I can not recall the name right now, I'll be happy to posted it. It's free on the net. Yarn used was Opal.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!! Hope this year will bring great beginning for all. Happy Knitting

"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.