Oklahoma Live

I have a confession to make. I am a little ashamed to say this, but I went to the State Fair. I have to say I have watched Martha Stewart enough to say that I fantasize about going to the Fair. People gathered from all over the state to celebrate each others craft, livestock, produce, and even eccentricities. But, for some reason when I go to the fair all I see are the machine made stuffed animals. You too can win these commercial goodies if you spend upwards of $100 on a pop the balloon game. Then you get to the fried everything booths.....yuck! Finally, still looking for the City Arts Building I pass the vendors that sell the T-Shirts and car decals that I always wondered where one would buy such a thing. By now I feel like a total elitist and my interest in all things handmade and home grown is slipping away with the smell of the stale beer at 10:00 in the morning. Not to mention as sure as the sun comes up each morning when the Fair moves into Oklahoma, so does the rain and this day the weather did not disappoint.
Nevertheless, I finally found what I was looking for and stayed long enough to forget the adventure getting there. First I checked out the children and hobby artists exhibition in the City Arts Building. It was really wonderful. I was inspired not just by the wonderful art, but the teachers who inspired many of these young artists. I loved the variety of mediums and the simplicity of many of the pieces.


Next, I headed over to find the fiber goods. I was a little disappointed to find them behind glass, but there were some wonderful pieces. My favorite was this little girl set. There were many pieces that reminded me of pieces my grandmother had around her house growing up. I loved it. Then I found some hand dyed yarn....also lovely. I never found any hand spun although I think some of the hand dyed was also hand spun. Finally, I checked out the canned goods. I did not know you could can such a variety of food. All in all a pretty good day to the trip. Unfortunately as I walked out among the "eccentricities" I quickly forgot the beauty of the handmade. Luckily I took pictures.

19 to Go

I am very excited that I have been asked to lead the Knitting Group, Knit 1 Give 2 (K1,G2) at my church. One of the projects we work on in the fall is a gift for each of the 70+ homebound members at our church. This year, I am trying to make 10 sets of patterned dishcloths/washcloths. These are a favorite among many and a nice little luxury. I have made one and now I have 19 to go to give 10 sets of 2. I will post more about K1,G2 as the weeks go on. Happy Wednesday!

A Spider and a New Sweater

Last night I sat and watched this little lady spin her web and the wonder of how she does it was more amazing than ever. The more I knit the more I am amazed at how things are created. When Mr. C called me to the door to see something.....I almost didn't get up. But, I am so glad I did.....when I rushed down the stairs this morning to see if she was still there, she was gone. Not a trace of her art.
Here is the ribbing to my new sweater. Not as perfect as Mrs. Spider's, but it will do.

February Ladies Sweater

A few weeks ago.....well, maybe months......heck, I can't remember, my Wednesday night SnB group decided to do a sweater.  I had pretty much convinced myself that I would not knit garments that I would actually wear out in public, but when I looked at the pattern I couldn't pass it up.  So, I bought some O-Wool at Keely's Birthday Sale and got started.  (By the way, I LOVE the O-Wool).  I am hooked.  I love knitting it and it is actually looking fairly wearable.  The dove lace pattern is a little messed up in parts, but it still looks pretty good.  I am finishing up the edging today and I will do the sleeves next week.

This sweater holds a lot of memories other than being my first.  It saw me through the Olympics......there is a huge chunk dedicated to Michael Phelps.  It was with me through the DNC, Hurricane Gustav, the nomination of Sarah Palin and a few football games.  Now, I am ready to start the Central Park Hoodie.  That will be on the needles soon

When my passions collide....

I love it when I get that tingly feeling that "something was meant to be."  I have a lot of passions this day.  When I say passion, I am not being over-expressive.  Obsessions might be a better word. Anyway, as you probably know, if you read this blog, I love to knit.  I started knitting about two and a half years ago.  Very seldom do I take to something like this....but, I LOVE it.  I have to knit everyday or my day is just not complete.  

Let me set the scene.  I started knitting and the first thing I did was purchase knitting books to feed my book obsession.  Then I started blogging to feed my writing obsession.  The blogging led to podcasts which to me to the CMP.  Amy on the CMP knits and then thus I began listening to knitting blogs.  I took several weeks last summer in the mountains just me and the babies so I ran out of knitting blogs so I googled writing blogs and thus discovered Writers on Writing by Barabra DeMarco-Barrett.  I listened to almost all of her back episodes...and there are a lot. She talks about her book Pen on Fire so I bought the book and read it.  Now, I keep up with her Pen on Fire blog.  

So, imagine the excitement when I logged on to Ravelry today and glanced at the list of new groups.  I saw a group called Knitters Who Write.  I decided to check it out.  I almost turned away and then I decided to check out the moderator.  Her website is knittingonfire.blogspot.com....and I thought, what a rip off.  (I know, I know...the name of my blog came from the title of the book, but what can I say.)  She totally ripped off Barbara's book title.  I read on, and it is Barbara DeMarco-Barrett.  I am such a dork....I know.  But, I am a fan, what can I say.  I shot her a quick message and added her as a friend and the group to my ever growing list.  

My universe seems to all be coming together now.  :)

A Knitty Funny

A woman is knitting as she drives (which is totally unsafe, and I don't advocate it). Pretty soon, her speed has crept all the way up to 95 mph--and she passes a parked police car. The car gives chase. Officer Bob turns on his siren, but the woman, oblivious, doesn't notice him. Finally, he pulls up alongside her car and yells, "Pull over! PULL OVER!"

She looks at him, looks at her knitting, and yells--

"NO! It's a CARDIGAN!"

25+ Years of Knitting

I knit every Wednesday with a group from my church. We work on stocking the church with Prayer Shawls for those in need of some extra care. We also make hats, slippers, scarves, and hand warmers for the homebound.
One lady, new to the group but not new to knitting, is working on an awesome Prayer Shawl. She is using scrap yarn from the past 20/25 years. As she goes along, she tells us that she made a baby blanket with this and a hat with that. It is so interesting and a great piece. When she began, I wasn't sure what to expect, but it has turned out BEAUTIFUL. I don't know how she will ever give it away....but, that is why I love this group...they teach me to be more loving and giving.

A Very Needed Kniting Retreat

I was in serious need of a weekend for ME. My husband and I have been talking about this for quite some time, but I had no idea how to spend my free time. I love to read and blog and knit….but, I really needed to get out and spend time with people outside of my immediate family. So, when the local yarn store announced its Super Saturday, I knew where I was going to be….me and all of my knitty friends. It was awesome. Although, I have to say, knitting for 13 hours did start to feel like work at about 9 hours. But I did not give in, I did not go home, I persevered and I am all the better for it.

Two years ago I would have read this post and rolled my eyes…how pathetic. But, I have spent two and a half years (really three and a half) consumed in family, children, pregnancy, and just a general domestic haze. I find myself going home to catch some uninterrupted sleep if I have even a free half hour. So, this day of knitting was a big change from my norm.

We started the day at my favorite coffee shop, Red Cup and then headed over to Sealed With A Kiss at 10 am sharp…to assure that we would get comfy seats. We spent the day milling around the candy…I mean yarn shop, meeting other knitters, chatting with friends, watching the spinner, getting to know Amy from Madelinetosh Yarn, and knitting, of course. There was plenty of coffee, food, and wine for all. And, best of all, Doris taught me how to do Magic Loop.

All and all a pretty perfect day. I think this is just what I needed to energize some new blog entries. One of the true highlights of the day was when I told a women I met that I blog and she asked what my blog was called. When I told her, Read this and tell me what it says, she said, “Oh, I have heard of that.”

WIP Wednesday

Things are finally getting back to normal after the holidays. School has not yet begun. But, otherwise we are back on track. This morning I tried to make some homemade play dough for the older one. (Have I mentioned I am NOT a baker?) I had all of the ingredients except for the cream of tarter. (How important can this little teaspoon be?) Apparently, very important. It was all sticky and gooey…..luckily I had some store bought play-doh to substitute. Adam had a great time and I was sure to buy some cream of tarter at the store.


Tonight, Wednesday night, is my favorite evening of the week. It is knitting night. I have one group at the church at 6pm and then I go straight to Sauced for Stitch ‘n Bitch. Hopefully all of the regulars will be there tonight…..Erin, Amy, Susan, Doris, Courtney…..and maybe some new faces.

WIP Wednesday:
Today I am working on three knitting projects.

The first is a simple scarf for my MIL’s birthday next week. She is a big Oklahoma State fan, so I am doing it in Cowboy orange.

I am still working on the scarf for my sister’s boyfriend. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…….I am really pleased with how it is turning out, but I really do not like knitting with this cheap yarn.

Finally, I started this scarf for myself…..hoping to get it finished by New Year’s. Obviously, that did not happen. I found this yarn at Windsor-Button in Boston….I really like it.

Chronicles of a New Knitter: My First Hat

I have been working on a hat out of the First Knits book. It is the Hat with Flaps Pattern. Things have been going pretty well, but there have been a few "hiccups":


1. I found the pattern and bought the yarn specifically as the pattern called for (first time ever)....I should have the right amount, right? NO!

2. I did a gauge swatch....another first. The gauge was about ten stitch's off. I had no idea how to fix this so I decided I would just knit more loosely and hope for the best. If it is way too small, Adam can wear it.

3. I Knit and Knit and finally I was almost ready to start the decreases and I obviously did not have enough yarn! Aargh! That's okay, I always save my yarn wrapping. I CAN'T FIND THE RIGHT ONE!

4. I start guessing which yarn to buy and I keep buying an off color. At this point, I am too embarrassed to take my partially finished hat in...I don't know why, but I am.

5. I FIND the right yarn (3 weeks and 6 trips to different stores later).

6. I get started on the decreases (I didn't realize that I was knitting too tight to k2tog with ease) and start watching the football game, enjoying some wine, and forget to refer back to my pattern. What now?

7. Since I don't know how to partially frog, I set out the next morning on a mission to pick up a coffee and get my hat back on track...NO MATTER WHAT!

8. Surprisingly, I was able to get back to the correct number of stitches and finish the crown. Unfortunately, when I flat stitched the hat together it was HUGE....and I have a big head. (Please refer back to #2 where I mention that my gauge was Too Small.) Frustrating.

I have now finished one of two ear flaps (also huge) and I plan to finish the hat tonight. I will let you know how it works out. I am going to try to wash it to see if that helps. I can say that my first hat taught me a lot, and, believe it or not, it turned out way better than my first shawl.

I Got My Invitation

I am sooooooo excited. Yesterday I received my invitation to join Ravlery. I am still finding my way around....more to come later!

A New Knitters Dream

I am tentatively planning a knitting "get away". I have a vision of a small group a knitters from all over the country with all different skill levels meeting in the mountains, at Casa de Maria, to meet, knit, share stories, and visit some "fiber stops". So, while on a recent trip out to Las Vegas, NM, I stopped in at the visitors information place. I asked if she was aware of any local yarn spinners, retailers, etc. She suggested Ironstone Yarns...gave me directions, a map and a phone number. I was off. She neglected to mention that this was Ironstone Yarns' warehouse. I found the building and there was no sign. I called the number and asked if they had a retail area where I could shop...the woman said no, but suggested that I come in and look around.

What a treat! There was more yarn then I could have ever dreamed. Jan, showed me around, let me pick a project and then sold me the yarn at wholesale price. I mentioned my possible trip and she said to just give her a call and she would set up a tour. What a great day! I will post more pictures on Flickr.

I need a "Studio"

since I began my new life as a SAHM, I have been doing all kinds of arts, crafts, and writing. I keep telling my husband that I need a "studio". This is how I will turn my new hobbies into "real money making ventures." He laughs. Now, I have a GREAT idea....I will knit a studio. :)

Reading with Erica

This week I went to Quayle United Methodist Church to read with the children. Project Transformation is a program for inner city children. I read with three different children. The first, Erica, was a good reader. She was reading Amber Brown is not a Crayon. With a little help, she finished the book and picked out an Animorphs book for next time. Then, I was assigned to a sweet little girl that had a lot of trouble reading. She was obviously familiar with sounds and phonics, but she could not seem to see the words through the letters. She sounded out each sound never pausing to recognize when one word ended and another began. Reading was frustrating to her. She was tired and unenthusiastic. She finished her book and then I read a book to her. Finally, it was time to pick two new books. “Pick out a book for me to read, and I will pick one out for you,” I offered. We selected our books and returned to our seats. She picked out Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See? I opened it and her face lit up. She read along with me…at first she wanted to peek at the next page to help her along…when I didn’t let her, she very patiently and very enthusiastically sounded out every word. She did great and I discovered the genius behind Eric Carle once again.