S'up Droopy?

I was watching Weeds a while back and Nancy Botwin was wearing this cool funky droopy hat. I decided I wanted to make one for myself. I went on Ravelry, big surprise, and found this Sockhead Hat pattern that I thought was very similar and an easy knit so I did it. Here it is:



Cute right? The kid ain't so bad either.
As you may have noticed, that is not my head wearing the hat I wanted. That would be my twelve year old son's head wearing my cool, funky, Nancy Botwin weed selling mom hat.
It's all about the gage ladies and gents. I know it's my fault. I don't know why I have an aversion to doing a gage swatch! I guess I just figure I'll knit something I like and it will fit someone I love so I don't sweat it. I make things and give them away. One day I'll find something I feel I can't live without and do a swatch so it's mine and only mine. Maybe.
Thank you all for your suggestions on my big ole tangle. I think from now on I'll be an outside puller instead of pulling from the center. That seems to be the most logical thing to do so I don't mess it up and have to beg for help. Thank you Marilyn, or as you may see her on my comments as Park Bench Knitter, for untangling that awful mess! She's had the patience of a saint to sit and untangle for me and even volunteered for the job!
My anger at my sister's sweater is subsiding so I may take it out of the closet soon and see what can be done about it. It's been there for a few months now and Allyson has already frogged back the five extra inches I had knit on it. I think it's time out may soon be officially over and I'll get moving on that.

This Is Knot Funny!

I wound this into a cake and still got knots. I pull from the center. Am I doing something wrong? This happens often and Glenn has quit being my untangler so I'm screwed. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. A good untangler in the Manhattan area would be fine too.

Put Up Yer Mitts, See?

How did you like my Edward G Robinson imitation? Pretty good huh? Those of you who don't know who Edward G Robinson is, Google is the way to go. Or Turner Movie Classics.
Ok I finished my mitts! They're very plain and simple and a great first thumb project. I had made fingerless mitts for Bean but they just had a hole an no thumb. It was a lot easier than I had anticipated and they're absolutely adorable. The yarn is so lovely that the simple mitt pattern was a great choice. What do you think?

They're lovely and just the perfect size for me. I have enough yarn for another project so I'll be looking for something small to make, maybe a neck warmer. This yarn is just too wonderful to waste or to stick in a scrap bag.
I've been neglecting this blog for the last few weeks because both kids were home for a bit but now one has started his summer program so, hopefully, there will be a bit more blogging and a lot more knitting. Yes I am an optimist.
Oh also, I'm sure she doesn't read this but I just wanted to show support for Stephanie Pearl-McPhee better known as The Yarn Harlot. Apparently she's going through a tough time with a reader of her blog harassing and posting lies about her and I just wanted to say keep your chin up, Stephanie.

Red Sox. GO YANKEES!

Yes that does say Red Sox. Yes I am a New Yorker and a Yankee fan but Megan is from the Bahstan area (or Boston for those of you who don't speak New Englandese) and she does love her some Red Sox. Since I love her more than I hate the Red Sux, er Sox, I made these for her.


I got the pattern on Ravelry and it was free and easy, even for me. They were knit on #5 needles so it went quick. I had to make three socks because I didn't like the way the second one came out. Then I didn't like how the third one came out and you KNOW I wasn't making a fourth so I sent her the three and told her to make a pair and a sock puppet out of them.
She and I were on the phone when she got the package which was very cool since we couldn't be together in person. I was expecting a squeal of delight but instead heard a big intake of breath and a "Oh Susie these are gorgeous." which was way better than a squeal. She is in awe of my talent. HAHA! I got her fooled!
I told her I was originally going to sew in one blue pinstripe on the inside of the toe but decided that I was going to give it with love and good wishes for her favorite team so I left out the stripe. Little does she know I'm sending all her kids Yankees tshirts. Muhahaha!

My Favorite Ravelry Group

I briefly mentioned my new addiction recently but wanted to go more in depth about it. I discovered the Ravelry ISO (In Search Of) & Destashing group and I'm loving it! Anyone can join and you can find some lovely yarns there for a cheaper price than they're sold for at their various stores.
Here's are a few things I've purchased


They're two pics of the same yarns. They're all sock yarns and they're all gorgeous! I have enough to keep me busy well into fall with what I've bought. There are all different prices and yarns to be had even sweater quantities. Some people can't afford to pay $25 for sock yarn so they can go here and find it for a nice discount. I really don't want to mention brands but, believe me, you can find just about any brand here for a good price. In a lot of cases, people are destashing for financial reasons so not only are you getting great stuff at a great price but you're helping out a fellow knitter who may be in a bind.
Be careful though it's very easy to become addicted. Don't say you weren't warned!

Home Sweet Home

We're back from a rain filled vacation. I think it rained at least part of every day we were away. It was nice and relaxing though. We had friends stay with us, had good food, did a lil yarn shopping at Knit One, Needlepoint Too and just generally enjoyed each others company. As much as I enjoy spending time at our country house, I sure am happy to be home.
Surprisingly, I didn't do a lot of knitting. I made a Dublin Beanie for Glenn and I'm working on a surprise for Meg in New Mexico so I can't put up pictures yet. But I can show you this


Glenn was going out to the store and I asked him to get me a surprise. I didn't expect this lovely bouquet though! I asked what's the occasion and he said "Just because I love you" All together now....awwwwww. Wasn't that sweet of him? By "surprise" I meant a candy bar or a NYC newspaper. This was truly a surprise!
Going to call Al today and hopefully get out to get some knitting done this week. If the weather holds up, and with my luck it probably won't, we'll do some knitting in the park. If not, we'll figure something out I'm sure.

Summertime And The Living Is.... Wet

Haven't much felt like blogging lately which is unusual for me. I think it's a combination of the weather being bad, for weeks now, and getting into the groove of summer having the boys home. Also probably anticipation of vacation next week. Or laziness.
I watched Weeds last week and Nancy was wearing this really cool hat. It looked knitted and looked almost like part beret and part elf hat. It fit around the forehead then was long and droopy in the back. I tried to find something like it and the closest I came was this Sockhead Hat on Ravelry. It's a cute easy knit although now looking at my hat and the one on the blog, mine looks a lot smaller so it may be for Patrick. I think that's the reason I never swatch. With four of us in this family, something I make will always fit someone.
Going to Al's today for some outdoor knitting if the rain stays away long enough. Al has something that not many New Yorkers have. A backyard. Right in the middle of Manhattan. It's a lovely size and beautifully set up. If it rains, we'll just hang at her house and knit. I'll bring the BSJ with me to work on with Al's guidance and will, hopefully, get a bunch of it done.
Tomorrow will be packing up yarn and cleaning house before VACATION! Can't wait.
Oh and I found something on Ravelry. Something dangerous and addictive. The ISO and Destashing forum. It's great! I can go there and get some yarns, at a discount, that I normally wouldn't buy because they're a little too expensive for my abilities. I was initially surprised that the yarns weren't cheaper, to be honest, but I've found that a lot of people selling their yarns are trying to raise money for bills or necessities. I purchased four hanks of yarn from three sellers so far. I'm gonna have to be careful though. I could be on that forum all day and spend oodles of dough without thinking twice.
By the way can someone tell me why sock yarn is so expensive?