Mittnz: Muffatee Recipe

---

I finally finished the second muffatee from my downstairs projects. These were really simple to do.

With Color A (brown) CO 40 sts, knit 6 rows of garter. *Change to Color B (black). Knit one row, purl one row. Switch back to Color A and knit four rows.* Repeat * to * until there are seven stripes of Color B. Bind off, sew up side seams leaving an opening for the thumb. I added a crocheted edge on the bottom to cover up the mess left by carrying yarns when changing colors.

Of course, the numbers can be changed to fit your needs. And it's not necessary to change colors if you don't want. I like these cuz they stretch nicely and don't required hours of ribbing. I really hate ribbing....

I've CO the next pair of Mittnz using Mariella's Sideways Wristers recipe. It, too is knit flat but has a thumb gusset added.

Now that there is room and it's nice out in back, I've started spinning again. Not spending huge amounts of time out there doing it, but I am getting some done while Youngest Granddaughter is out playing. I grab my little MP3 player and it's speaker and listen to the book du jour while adding a few yards of yarn to the bobbin. Eventually I'll get all the black and white Ramboulet spun!
I found out recently our public library offers books on line for kids, too. They can be read by the child, read to the child with or without the print showing on the computer screen. Eldest Granddaughter spent a great amount of time reading a book just hard enough to challenge her yesterday. I personally hate to read books on the computer, but she seemed to enjoy herself.

Side to Side Muffatees

---

As these were an experiment, I'm really pleased with how they turned out. They are nice and snug, yet stretchy as they would be if one knitted them in the round using ribbing all the way. One done and will CO the next one today.



I'm feeling guilty about letting my socks languish while working on the Mittnz. I guess maybe I need to start using the timer again and working for an hour on one thing, then an hour on the next until I feel like I'm paying everyone enough attention! We won't discuss all the other projects-in-waiting!

Youngest Son got to the airport, on his plane, to Atlanta, met his dad and on to Nashville without a hitch. So he's probably up and playing games or impatient to do so!

F's hubby B suggested a book series to me: The Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley. They are young adult books, about the same reading level as The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black.

Orphaned after their parents mysteriously disappear, sisters Daphne and Sabrina Grimm are sent to live with the grandmother they’ve never known. They had been told that Granny Relda was dead, when in fact she was very much alive and living in upstate New York. In The Fairy-Tale Detectives, Granny introduces the girls to the unusual assortment of characters who inhabit Ferryport Landing, a town on the Hudson River were many strange and mysterious crimes have been occurring. In Ferryport Landing, Sabrina and Daphne learn that they are descendants of the famous Grimm Brothers and that those famous fairy tales were actually histories of a magical parallel world. Described as “Nancy Drew meets Shrek,” the Sisters first cases focus on Jack and the giant who is rampaging through town, smarmy Price Charming, who as mayor of Ferryport Landing has broader political ambitions, and a plot to kidnap Granny Relda.

If you're looking for a good gift for the young reader or good stories to read to the 1st and 2nd graders, this is a great introduction to mysteries and reuniting with all the fairy tale figures you and they have ever read about.

Knitting Fun

---

Mariella (another Mittnz knitter) read my post yesterday whining about the lack of pretty heavier weight yarns. She sent me this link to Grumperina's about combining several different yarns to create the look of creatively dyed yarns. I'd used the technique before, just forgotten about it. So I reacquainted my self with it and CO another muffatee. Although Grumperina's instructions take a bit to understand.... It's really easy.Just CO with color A and knit a few rounds. Then somewhere in the round, start with a new color, B. Really doesn't matter which color or where. Knit some stitches and then start another new color, C. Continue knitting around and adding new colors as you'd like, till you get to the spot where you dropped Color A. Now drop the color you're knitting with and pick up A and continue to knit to the next place you added a color. Drop A and pick up B and knit to C, drop B, pick up C and continue around and around and around.

Now, my next experiment is to take four different variegated yarns and do it. I think that will make a gorgeous color experiment some little kid (and several grandmothers I know) will absolutely adore!

We had a lot of flu at our house yesterday. So I retreated up to my room once Youngest Daughter started feeling better. Youngest Granddaughter was really sick (and would let no one but mama take care of her). Thankfully it's just a 24 hour bug. So I got some work done on my Confetti Socks. The pattern requires a bit of concentration, so the relative quietness of my room allowed me to get into the rhythm.

I like to read books that come in series. I like to get to know the characters, see them develop, share in their problems and triumphs. One of my favorites is the Anne McCaffrey Pern series. I've tried to read other series she'd written, but no go.... until I listened to the first of the Freedom Series: Freedom's Landing. I was hooked. Now I'm reading Freedom's Choice. Too bad there are only four books in the series.....

Finally Finished Knitting....

...the Mary Janes! I'll full them today or tomorrow. Once dry and I can cut them up to make the Mary Jane style. One more present almost done.

And I made up a pair of muffatees for my Youngest Daughter. The ones I'd made her last year somehow got ruined. The yarn got cut and it had a big hole and, well, I'm not skilled enough to repair it without having any of the yarn laying around. Anyway, I salvaged one of them to be part of a pair of mittens for someone and made these new ones to replace them.

I didn't work on 2nd Son's work socks at all yesterday, waiting till Youngest Son could try them on just to make sure it is not too big around. I dread the though of having to frog it....

Grandsons were over for a sleep over from Saturday to Sunday. Eldest Granddaughter was invited for a sleep over from Sunday to Monday. They all go to the same school, so it worked out well.

Don't know what knitting is in store today. Youngest Son won't get out of bed till noon, so if I don't find something to do this morning I'll have to resort to housework!

May 12, 2007

Doby Socks + 1

The mismatch Doby socks are done! I finished them up last night while watching my regular Friday night shows: Ghost Whisperer, Close to Home, and Numbers. I think they are pretty cute, and look good on the model, too!

Here's the first sock of the Sock in a Day Challenge. I like the way they turned out, but are a bit snug for me, so may go in the "Gift Drawer".

My plan is to start the second sock today, but.... My oldest and youngest sons are coming over today. My oldest son is in a wheel chair as a result of a car accident in 1997.

We'll hang out, watch TV/movies and probably end up playing Cribbage or some board game. So instead of a marathon knitting event, it may have to be the 18 hour version!

Did a bit of work on the hoodie I'm making for my grandson. Had to find something to do to keep from CO on the second sock! I still have five or six inches before the back is done.

Those interested in free books may want to check out Callapidder Days. Books up for grab! Libby has a baby blanket that is really a work of art! Dances with Wools has a lacy vintage pattern for muffatees. They'd really be pretty for "dress up" in the winter!