Afterthought Pocket

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Here's pics of the Afterthought Pocket I put in. This was truly an "afterthought." Didn't even think about doing it while making the sweater. So it was truly an EZ afterthought because once I figured out where I wanted the pocket, I clipped the yarn, undid 8 sts, CO of the bottom sts using an I-Cord CO and then knit the top sts into the pocket. That flap was tacked down on the back and then all the loose ends woven in.
Second Son came by to do his laundry yesterday. If you are the mother of an single adult son you may understand that this is the only way a mother may get to visit with her son. And notice, please, I said, "do his laundry", not "so I could do his laundry". I quite doing his laundry some 16 years ago. Anyway, he asked me to make him a hat!!!! Of course it's black and boring and plain. But, he asked! Two requests in a week! What is the world coming to?

The winter edition of Knotions is up! Some really nice patterns!

If you're interested in reading about Barack Obama, there is a give away for this book, and Teddy Rose's is the place to go! If you enter, tell her I sent you! For those of you old enough to remember, do you think the American people are headed back to Camelot?

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Keeping the "We" in "Yes, We Can."

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A quick and greatly appreciated gift for those that live in the cold climates. Rice bags! Make a small, say 4 x 4 inches, bag of fabric. Fill with rice and sew shut. This can be warmed up in the microwave for a minute or so (put a cup of water in with it to create moist heat). Slip into your pocket and it will warm up pocketed hands. Larger ones can be made as heating pads, foot warmers...all those things we used to use hot water bottles for! In the summer, store in the freezer to help cool down hot and tired feet or to put on sprains. If you have two, you can alternate hot and cold.

Along with white vinegar, baking soda is a great cleaner!

The End of the Rainbow

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Rainbow Hugs
CO: Nov 13, 2008, BO: Nov 15, 2008
Pattern: Top Down Raglan Baby Sweater Very easy pattern to follow, easy knit.
Needles: US 9
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Mexicana (2+ skeins)
Modifications: Larger needle and ww yarn to fit 3 year old. Alternated two skeins once bodice was finished to avoid pooling of colors. Added an Afterthought Pocket ala Elizabeth Zimmermann. Was a little nerve wracking to cut the yarn but once I got going, it worked well.
See it on Ravelry.

Netflix has several knitting DVDs available: I Can't Believe I'm Knitting, Knit Fashions in Motion, Knit Stitches in Motion, and No Rules Knitting at the Teen Cafe.

Why we knit, Reason 2, 345, 434.

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Keep the "We" in "Yes, We Can"

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Distinguish between Wants and Needs: You will save a ton of money if you don't mistake wants for needs. Needs are pretty simple to identify--those items that are necessary to sustain: Shelter, food, clothing, transportation. Wants are those things that enhance or possibly improve our family life. A car is a need. Unless necessary for your business, a $40,000 Sport Utility Vehicle is a want, even if a lot of people don't see it that way. Have you ever heard (or said) "I absolutely need...?" when the actual meaning was "I really want?" This is not to suggest that you shouldn't be able to have the things you want--only that to delude yourself into believing that a want is a need--and busting your budget in the process--is a recipe for financial disaster.

Shut vents in unused rooms. This isn’t advisable if you have forced air heating, but shutting vents in unused rooms can save on your heating and cooling bill. I had friends in MN that moved their bedroom downstairs in the winter and closed off the entire second floor.

Buy generic over-the-counter medicines. They are exactly the same as their branded counterparts and cost less. If in doubt, check the ingredients lists the next time you're at the drug store, or ask the pharmacist. And keep an eye out for other things. When I was using benedryl as a sleep aid, it was cheaper to buy the exact same thing as an antihistimine than as a sleep aid.

Watch less TV. Okay, how about watch fewer TV commercials. If you are watching live, then mute it during the commercials, or get up and leave the room while they are on. The less time spent with "someone" suggesting or insisting you "need" whatever, the less chance you'll give in or sit on the pity pot cuz you don't have it. If you're watching a recording, fast forward through the commercials.
Powdered Detergent

2 cups finely grated soap, 1 cup washing soda, 1 cup borax

1. Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.

2. Use 2 tablespoons per full load.

Remember I said to use white vinegar in the final rinse in your laundry? Here's why: Most commercial distilled white vinegars contain 5% acetic acid--that's CH3COOH for anyone scoring at home--and have a pH of about 2.4 (that's on the acidic end of things); most laundry soaps have a pH between 8 and 10 (on the basic end). So the vinegar helps neutralize the pH (neutral water occupies the middle of the pH scale at 7), wash the soap out of the fabrics, leaving just your clothes' fluffy goodness behind.

A Navy shower is the term used for a water-saving technique that was started in the Navy to help save precious freshwater aboard ships. The basic idea is to hop in the shower, get wet all over, turn off the water while soaping up, and then rinse clean. The small change in routine makes a huge difference: a regular shower can use as much as 60 gallons of water, while a Navy shower can check in at about 3 gallons.

Cheapest gas in your area? It's gone below $2/gal in some places here. What's the cheapest in your area?

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About four more rows and the body of the sweater will be finished. Although the pattern doesn't call for it, I think the sleeves need some shaping. I just don't really have a clue on how much and how often....


Please keep this blog post in mind while you are waiting in line. Speak up!!

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Keeping the "We" in "Yes, We Can!"

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Rainbow Hugs

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Despite having to run errands, I did manage to get quite a bit done on the Rainbow Sweater. Bodice is all done and a couple rows of the body. Time for a fitting to see how long it should be. I'm rally happy with the patterning of the yarn on this one. relatively little pooling and the stripes are not in any strict pattern. Much of that will change now that the rows are all the same length. May consider introducing another skein and striping to avoid this.

Isn't this a pretty scarf? Easy to make, too! Interesting in learning colorwork? Here's something to practice on!

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Keeping the "We" in "Yes, We Can!"

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Necessity is the mother of invention. For various reason beyond my control, we are short of money for non-food items, one of which is dish soap. So, I went looking for recipes.

Take a bar of soap. Using a vegetable peeler, shave it all up. Put in a glass or ceramic container and add 2-3 cups boiling water. Let sit till the soap is soft, stir well. Add a few drops of essential oil if you like. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the mixture. Shake or stir well before using. As it just so happens, we had a couple bars of Ivory in the house, so, now, we have dish soap. About 20 minutes of time, no monetary investment. Yes, I could go to the Dollar Store, but that would be $.99 + $.08 tax plus gas = more than I have at the moment.

How can we be a We if we are leaving many of us out? See how you can help.

Rainbow 'Round Me!

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While working at the computer yesterday morning, my three year old granddaughter saw my ball of Red Heart Fiesta yarn and said, "You make me rainbow jacket?" What grandmother could say, "No"? Especially when six months ago, this little one had barely 20 words in her vocabulary! The speech therapy she received over the summer and her 8 hours a week of Exceptional Education has done wonders! So here is stage one of the Rainbow Sweater.After doing the math I figured I need a 76 stitch CO. This Top Down Raglan Baby Sweater although designed for a little baby, when worked with ww yarn and bigger needles is just perfect. And there's no seams which always moves things along.

Red Heart has sure improved their milling techniques! This yarn feels as soft and fluffy as wool or a good wool blend, i.e., Plymouth Encore...or plain acrylic after it's been washed. No scratchiness at all. I keep pausing in my knitting to pet it!

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Keeping the "We" in "Yes, We Can!"

Volunteerism.... Work without pay. Giving of your time, skills, abundance. Helping someone who needs help. If you're like me and really don't like to go out and "do something, stay in and do it!

Afghans for Afghans Artists Helping Children Binky Patrol Christmas at Sea Knit your Bit Native American Support There are many other places to send or take knitted, crocheted, sewn or purchased items.

When we take the time to give without pay, we help create a supportive environment for everyone around us. If all of this is too organized for you, make a commitment to help someone near you. Offer a steady arm to someone who needs it climbing off or on the bus. We live in a world where we are almost afraid to make eye contact with a stranger. It's hard to work past the fear. Look up, smile and say, "Thank You" like you mean it to the guy at the coffee shop, the waitress at the lunch bar, the person who holds the elevator. It can snowball! For us to keep the "We" going We have to be a We and not a group of individuals refusing to acknowledge each other. So, knit a hat or scarf, smile and make the effort to improve someone's day. Become a "We!"