I'm baaaaaaaaaaack

Oh my God! This actually works!!! I'm ashamed to say that I haven't blogged in about a year, however, have been knitting up a storm. (I know, gotta watch the hands)
So much knitting has happened between then and now. Where to start?

I've been really enjoying the Norovember challenge. Are you all as noro crazy as I am? It's official. I am am a true yarn snob. Nothing less than a shank of Iro, or transitions (actually, any Noro yarn in any color thrills me) or worse, cashmire with do lately. I figure, if you're going to risk an attach of RSI every time you pick up a pair of knitting needles then, by golly, do it in style.

Almost all my Christmas presents are done, since I'm flying out to the States next Monday. Can't wait. So, I probably won't post again until after I return.

Unfortunately, since my last posting, I'm no closer to really knowing how to work the computer (except to go on-line shopping!!! hee, hee) or upload pics. This will be my new year's resolution. :)

Happy knitting....

Well, it´s only been three months. I thought I should update the blog. Where to begin?

Lots of projects on needles. I´m feeling knitting guilt. After buying all this gorgeous wool during the winter and starting all these great projects, I just got slowed down by life and catching up on all the other things I´m not doing while I´m knitting. None of the birthday presents that I had hoped to finish have been sent, but that´s ok. I´ve finally got my knitting mo-jo back and have made some progress on one unfinished project. I can feel the juices flowing again. It won´t be long now until I can go shopping for more yarn!!

Back from the States. So sad...I´m down and on top of everything, sick. I hate being sick. Except for getting to knit as much as I can handle, I HATE IT.

I brought lots, and lots of great stuff back with me. Lots of Noro yarn to make a cool vest that sort of criss-crosses in front, various Debbie Bliss stuff with different degrees of cashmere in it to try out. Got alot accomplished on my sister´s aran sweater on vacation. Just need to do the sleeves. I would have loved to leave it there for her, but there was no way. Socks, socks, socks. I have so many that I´m going to try and sell them in the Opera House. Everyone whom I´ve given a pair to as presents have raved at how much better hand-knit socks feel. Sort of hug your feet. I know. I love them. Love making them, looking at them...all you sock fanatics know what I´m talking about, right or am I just nuts? I´ve converted another good friend of mine´into a sock-knitter who after receiving her pair for X-mas has started knitting them for herself and her whole family. Theyre addicting.

Hope to feel better soon (whine) and keep posting on the blog more regularly.
Bye.

Wow! Can´t believe a whole month has slipped by without my posting anything. Here´s a quick update.

Lots of knitting has been accomplished. I finished the aran sweater made from the wonderful Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in natural. I HIGHLY recommend this yarn. It´s so elastic and is especially good for all the cables and bobbles in this pattern. It turned out absolutely adorable. I had never done bobbles before and now have bobble mania. Of course, I had to make Ella the same sweater in a soft "girly" pink yarn. The bobbles are so cute and add something a little different. I´ve started a third adult-size sweater in the natural color. I´m not sure if this will be my sister´s birthday present or I´ll end of keeping it.

I am flying home to the US tomorrow and have sort of gone yarn crazy. (How will I get it all in the suitcase???!!!) I ordered all the books and yarn that I´ve been hankering for here, but couldn´t bring myself to buy. Saved a bundle. My favorite sites are: Wool Needlework, Knit Picks, Yarn Market. Also have found a great site for labels to sew into finished projects: www.namemaker.com. I´ll wait until I get to the states and order by phone. I couldn´t believe what they were calculating as my shipping charges. I have to talk to a "real person" and find out what´s up. Check it out though. Such cute, cute labels.

Well, I´d better get off the computer and start throwing a few things in the suitcase. It won´t be much though, because I have got to have room for all my fantastic yarn!

Have fun!

Sorry I´ve been away so long. Don´t worry, have not stopped knitting.

What I have knitted since the new year:

Four hats, poncho, baby sweater for Jason, half a baby sweater for Ella, started Jason´s birthday sweater, starting another cool noro project for me :)

Is that enough to qualify me as an addicted knitter and writer of an knitting blog? I´m afraid so. I know my hands tell me that it is. I have to slow down and stop buying yarn that demands to be knitted. Oh, did I mention all the books and magazines I´ve purchased?

So....I havn´t had too much time to write, but I will be back........

Happy New Year!!

As 2005 comes to a close, I want to wish all of the other knitters out there a wonderful, healthy new year 2006. May it be filled with wonderful projects and yummy yarn!

To be continued soon....

Knitting class

Knitting class was great yesterday! I learned how to knit shoulder seams together. That probably seems obvious to all of you great knitters out there, but it was a total revelation to me. I´ve been sewing them together all this time. The seam isn´t nearly as thick and the shoulder lies down nicely. The amazing thing is that once you learn a technique you realize how simple it is and increases all the fantastic possiblities to knit other projects.

Besides all the great things we learn in our class, I really enjoy sitting around and catching up on all of the other ladies´ projects. It´s really inspiring to see what the other women have tackled. (Of course, there´s always all the new books and yarns to look at.) One of our members and close friend of mine is leaving to have her second baby. I´ve splashed out on some gorgeous pink cashmere to make a little cable knit sweater for her. (pictures coming, promíse) Still working on the hollow oak Aran sweater for Jason which just needs another arm. I´m going to continue on with aran knits for awhile, although I would like to start to learn entralac.

Well, that´s it for now...off to knit a little bit before bed. :)