A Blog of My Own

July Flew by...

July flew by.  I mean seriously there is now less than five months until Christmas. So if you have holiday knitting to be done.  I guess it is time to start.   Ha… sorry I just had to say that.  I know you are saying "hush yo mouth Toni."

I went through one box in my garage today to find some content for Monday's memories.  I  got the box down that said "Toni's Old Nick Knacks."  It had in it some cute framed pictures from the past.  It was a nice little trip down memory lane.  It also had a snow globe, and three carousal horses.  One of the horse plays "memories."  Not the theme from The Way We Were but the one that goes.  "I remember the time I knew what happiness was…"  la la la  la.. You know which one I am talking about?

 Anyway it was kind of dreamy in the garage with the music box horse playing that song while I dug through  nick knacks all carefully wrapped in paper. And photos of my children from 15 years ago.   I was wondering if my daughter, or nieces, or someone would enjoy these little treasures trapped in a box in the garage.   What should I do with them? I don't do too many nick knacks these days because I just can't deal with clutter.  I make enough with yarn and books.  Anyway… the thinking got to me so I went inside and cleaned bathrooms.  Ah ha… that is away to bring one right to the present.

While cleaning out my make up bags today I found this button.  I was thinking.. I wonder if it works for the "Banana Republic Knock Off Hat."  What do you think?   I think it is cool.. you know because it is free and all.   But I think a big wooden button will be cool.  I have yet to go button shopping.

Are you ready for 30 Days of Summer Blogging?  I confess to being ready in my mind and spirit,  but not so much in my material or content.  So bear with me as I wing it.  Join in anytime and I hope you comment a lot.  

Basically on any given day I will take those that comment on my post and enter that group in a random drawing. I might  give a little hint… I might not. 

Happy Friday.  I will see ya tomorrow.

 

Hello Everyone!
Happy Saturday to you.  I have been recently inspired by  my friend DeeDee to get out my hook and crochet.  I have crocheted for years.  I haven’t really made anything since I crochet the Dino
 for my grandson and the little pink sweater for a co-workers baby. 
My friend is cranking out blankets like there is no tomorrow. She donates them to a child’s hospital in Denver.  Because she is just that kind of gal.

I sometimes forget how entertaining crocheting  can be!

So I busted out some left over baby blanket yarn and have been making the Wool Eater blanket.  I guess in this case it is the acrylic eater blanket. 

I am gearing up for the thirty days of August Summer Blogging.  I hope that you join in.  I am going to go into my garage and pull out some of my 1980’s projects and share them on my blog.  I think it is going to be fun.   All those bed dolls, and fun stuff just lurking in the garage, well I can’t wait to see what is in those boxes.

So with that in mind I think Monday’s will be Monday’s Memories.   We can post our past projects and have fun with our memories.  So plan ahead and I just know we are going to have fun with this.    And Wednesday’s will be Whatcha Makin’ Wednesdays. It can feature what you are currently making, finishing, starting.  For Friday I think we can Queue it Up!   Queue it up Friday will be where we can share our latest projects in our Ravelry Queues.   These are just mere suggestions.. Totally NOT a requirement.   Not a member of Ravelry yet.  It might be time to join! 

So to help out with posting each week we can have these little fun days to keep us posting and gabbing.  For the other days... Well I guess we will have to be creative. 

Monday’s Memories!!!
Whatcha Makin’ Wednesdays!!!
Queue it up Friday!!!

Stay tuned and tune in ....there will be a giveaway.

Another Cupcake

Another day off... and I just was overwhelmed so I broke out the cupcake pattern again. (Cheap Therapy) ...  It was relaxing.  I also made dinner early since I didn't want to heat up the house in the afternoon. Here is what I cooked.  It is pretty good.

Cupcake details: 
 I should have used number 3 dpns... I used size fours.  (Thank you Dexter for eating my three's)   This cupcake is made with Rowan Cotton.  It is a DK weight.  Pretty nice but it has too many "holes" that show when stretched and stuffed.  But still it is very cute.

I have been working on my Whisper Cardigan.  There is a big of progress since the last time. (Thank God for knit night).  I did try it on.  It has potential.  But just like most things I have been making lately.... it is a bit snug.  Nothing that 10-15 lbs wouldn't cure.... but sigh.  Maybe it will block out a bit bigger? 

I am off to knit another hat or something.  I have the day off and I have had a little knitting time.  Might make a cloth or another hat.  I could get out the Bella's Mittens and finish them up also....Decisions decisions.

I also taught my friend to knit on Thursday. She is a natural.  It went smooth!   I will post a picture soon.

Hey ....by the way.   I think August is going to be my "thirty posts in 30 days summer knitting/blogging."  Anyone want to join in for the challenge?  The challenge is to post every day for thirty days.  The other challenge is to come up with Projects to post and keep it interesting.  I did it the Summer before last and it was fun.  If anyone wants to do it, let's link up okay.

Gotta run.. only an hour to myself.  ...

A Thick Wool Hat

I wanted to knit something tonight. I mean start to finish. Not sure why the over 100 degree temps have me pulling out bulky 100%.... but hey.. it is only a hat and my ac is working.  Oh how thankful I am for that.  Anyway this is what I watched while watching the All Star Game.  The pre-game was uplifting as it was nice hearing from four past Presidents and our current one.  I enjoyed it a lot and busily knitted away on this hat.

This pattern is called the Banana Republic Knock off Hat
It is probably the most simple hat pattern out there.  Check it out.  I have to find a nice big button to sew down with the flap.  Oh the choices.. wood, Glass, funky, thin, square, round... I will have fun  button shopping.  I bought the yarn on sale at WEBS, it is discontinued so if they have it still go ahead and grab some!  Anyway.... I don't think was too much for a skein,  I think like five dollars.  I will chalk it up to a really great gift.  I can see more of these in my future gift bag.

I knit 15 rows after the flap instead of 13.  I used Cascade 109 LE bulky.  I bet I used about 75 or 80 yards.  I used size 8's and 10.5 as directed by the pattern.  It looked like it would be to short... but the yarn stretched quite a bit during blocking. 

It is drying on a towel on the table.  I have a few people in mind to gift it to.  I am not quite a hat person, but I did try it on and boy it is comfy! 

And no I haven't forsaken the Whisper Cardigan.  It is coming along, but not a lot to report since last time.  Just a few more inches.

Yay.. off to bed and tomorrow is Knitting Night.

Monday Blogging

Hello everyone!
I hope you had a splendid Fourth of July Weekend, for those who partake.  Otherwise I just hope you had a great weekend nonetheless.

I was on a mini holiday at the beach.  It was a great time.    I brought a lot of books and knitting but you know, when you combine a holiday with a family vacation, there isn't always as much reading and knitting as one would think.  Especially with a 10 month old Basset Hound.

I did pick up some Rowan cotton.  I wanted to knit with the colors of the sea.. aqua and sand.   I started a little stockinette cloth.  Plain and simple.  It is done on size three needles.  It is very delicate.  I am not quite sure what I plan to do with it.  I like the simplicity of it.  I am thinking to make a matching one in sand.  I think is can serve  as a reminder of my trip.

And as for the Shrug aka Whisper Cardigan, I finished the three inch1x1 ribbing and I am working on the back section.  It is fun to make.  I have a hint of a fear that on one part of the ribbing I bound off to tight.  Which could make the difference between it fitting or not.  Time will tell.  It would be challenging to redo the bind off as the yarn is not cut afterward but it goes right into back and forth
stockinette stitch for the lower back section.   But you know it is nothing that a 15 lb weight loss wouldn't cure either.    You know.. the same issue as with the Deep V -Argyle Vest.

Here is my progress.  

And because I love this Hound so much.  Here is Dex's first trip to the beach... actually anywhere over night.  He did pretty good.
How about an action shot.

Have a great week! 
Toni