Bag Lust

I've always been a bag ho and I have the Le Sportsacs to prove it. Ever since I started working I've loved bags. Not lil purses but big multi pocketed shoulder breakers. I'd go to Innovation Luggage on 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue every pay day and look at what new bags they had there. It's telling that I shopped, even then, in a luggage store for my purses. I loved the Le Sportsac ones because I could keep my makeup and wallet in the main part, my Walkman (anyone remember those) in another pocket, a magazine in another pocket and my paperback book of the moment in yet another pocket. Memories. Can you here Barbra singing it now? I can. That bitch can SING.
I bought a lovely knitting bag on Etsy last year but it's just a bit too small. That's right...not enough pockets. Right now I carry my knitting around in a LeSportsac pink paisley weekend bag but it's too big and not enough pockets.
I joined the Bag Lust group on Ravelry and they've opened up a brand new world to me! Lexie Barnes, Sally Spicer, Overland Equipment & Offhand Designs to name a few. Then I saw something about Namaste Laguna and I Googled it. Lo and behold:

Is that not the most gorgeous bag you've evah seen??? Big? Check. Pockets? Check. Beautiful? Check! What more could a bag ho ask for? Nothing. I saw it and have been drooling over it all day. I've put it on my list for Santa Claus but I'm not sure I can wait that long. As a matter of fact I know I can't. Anyone looking to sell or trade for one? I've got a decent collection of LeSportsacs I'm willing to trade!

A Quickie

I can't write a long blog post because I'm in a fight. With the Baby Surprise Jacket. We've been battling all day and I think I'm getting my ass kicked. Umm...that would be me on the left. Yes, I'm now Alfalfa in this battle.


I'll let you know what happens. I'll have pics too whether I win or lose. Wish me luck!

Slippers

I decided to make the boys some slippers instead of buying them. Doesn't matter, home made or bought they probably won't wear them either way. I made these for Patrick:
















Aren't they adorable? I really like them. They were easy to make and so cute! They really look different than the photos of them on the link but they're great anyway. Only one problem though. When I did a bind off on the first one it was very tight. It was the only bind off I know so I went to one of my favorite knitting helpers. Twitter! I asked for a stretchy bind off and got several responses of sewn bind off. I love this bind off! It made a world of difference. Patrick had a hard time putting the first one on but the second one slipped right on. Another two day project for me! Talk about instant gratification. Hollah!
I'm going to work on the Baby Surprise Jacket that I started months ago. The girl I'm making it for is due next month so I gotta get to steppin. Al will be here today so I'll ask her for help with it and hopefully it'll zip right along.
MRI came back. Arthritis and a torn meniscus. Time and rest will make it better. Hopefully.

Two Fer

As promised here are the fingerless mitts I made for Glenn:

I made these in two days and really enjoyed making them. I used the yarn I got on my Craigslist purchase. I don't know what kind it is but it was perfect for this pattern. They're nice and big for man hands and my husband really likes them. My son was nice enough to model them for me on our fire escape behind our apartment. How city!
The pattern can be found here and I hope you enjoy making them as much as I did.

I'm Too Young For This

Arthritis that is. I've been having some knee pain and was diagnosed with severe arthritis this past week. Then my knee popped. I mean an audible pop came from my knee. When the doctor asked I told him it popped like a high school senior's cherry on prom night. He didn't find me amusing (I did) but he did send me for an MRI which we are now awaiting the results of. I may need surgery. So I'll be laid up for a while.
I do have an FO to show you but my mobility is limited right now and with my darling man doing all the cooking and cleaning, I sorta feel like taking a photo isn't a priority right now. I will get it to you soon though.
In other knitting news, I've decided to make slippers for the boys. They're killing all their socks so I found a pattern and made a slipper for Patrick. Wrong size. It can go to the same kid who will take the shrunken socks off his feet. I'll be perusing Rav today looking for men's slipper patterns. I have a feeling there won't be a lot of patterns from which to choose but I will be diligent and find something.
Hopefully being laid up will allow me more time to knit and blog so I'm sure I'll have more stuff for you soon!

Live & Learn

A word of advice. Do not put 100% merino socks in the dryer. Ever.

Can Ya See Me Now?

I've never been a fan of camouflage clothing. I come from a family of all girls and camo wasn't something we were into. Now though, I have sons. This takes some getting used to. For a long time I didn't buy them camo and, when asked, I'd tell them they didn't need camo because they were going to school, not out hunting.
A couple of years ago, I finally caved and bought them some camo clothing. Little did I know, Patrick would dress as if his life depended upon being camouflaged. Shirts, pants, jackets and even underwear. That faded with time but he still does enjoy the occasional piece of camo clothing.
Can you see them? I know they're well hidden but if you look hard enough they're there.
I was going to use a design pattern but decided that the yarn itself was colorful enough and used Anna's Basic Sock Pattern from the Cascade site. I made these before and they're a great easy sock pattern.
I'm making Glenn a pair of hand warmers but don't tell him. I got a pattern on Ravelry made specifically for a man's bigger hand. Worsted yarn and a fast knit. I started yesterday and I'm on the increases already.
I know I haven't been blogging much lately but I promise to get back to it. Been a busy summer but now that the boys are in school, I can get my knit on and share it with you.

And The Winner Is

Before I give you the winner of this lovely Lion Brand Sock yarn I'd like to thank you all for participating. It was great fun reading about how everyone learned to knit. Funny too how almost everyone remembers learning how to knit even if they started at a very young age. Thank you all for participating and for the good wishes for both my anniversaries.

Ok so now the winner is, drum roll please.....AMY of AmyKnit40! Congratulations Amy! Please send me your information and I'll send that yarn right out to you.

On the knitting front, I haven't been doing much to be honest. With school starting, I've just not had the inclination. I wonder if every summer will be slow knitting. I did some, don't get me wrong but not much at all. I just completed one sock for Patrick made from some camo yarn I got on Etsy. I was hoping to have the pair done for him when school started. Which is today. Hopefully I'll get it done in the next few days.
Next post I promise I'll have some photos to show you of something I actually completed.

Anniversary Contest

Last week was the anniversary of both my blog and my marriage! I've had the blog for one year and the husband for twenty two years. Wow a year of blogging has gone so quickly! So has twenty two years of marriage come to think of it.
To celebrate, I'm going to have a contest for this lovely prize:


It's a skein of Sock Ease by Lion Brand Yarns, 438 yards, which I purchased at the newly opened Mountain Bear Craft store in Livingston Manor, NY! It's lovely yarn and will knit up a beautiful pair of socks for a lucky person who leaves me a comment on this post.
If you've been a reader here for any amount of time, you'll know that it won't be just any old comment. Please leave me a comment telling about your first knitting, or crocheting, memory whether it's sitting at your grandmother's knee at age five or learning to knit at thirty five watching YouTube videos. I'm always fascinated by the stories of how people learned to knit and I'm gonna make you work to earn this prize! I'll pick a winner next Thursday, September 10th.
I can't wait to read all the entries! Good luck!