Some Coffee and Norovember

Hello everyone! Are you all ready for time change this weekend? An extra hour to sleep? I am excited because there is an extra hour to knit! That is awesome in my opinion - although I do have to work Friday night and all day Saturday. I will still have an extra hour to knit!

My daughter has the "Decomposers Festival" tonight - a ghoulishly fun time for orchestra students! What is "Decomposers Festival" you ask? Well - it is a concert where all students dress up for Halloween - and the audience can dress up as well. They play some "scary" music - and since my daughter is so witty and bright - she and her friends are the "deal or no deal" girls - I know, what am I thinking! Pick your battles, parents. But, Heidi is in the Chamber Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra - so I get to listen to her play twice! It is a fun time for all.

Does anyone out there like coffee as much as I do? If you do you might want to head over to the Knitter's Coffee Swap site and sign up. Hurry - there are only 50 spots available and I have taken one of them!!

If that does not interest you but you love Noro yarn then Norovember maybe be for you. I was so excited about this KAL - I have cast on Clapotis in Noro Silk Garden - I just took a class on entrelac and knitting backwards - yes, knitting backwards - and I picked Noro Kureyon for that - it will be the cutest felted bag when I am done. AND, I got some Silk Garden this summer at a 'close out sale' to make my girlfriend Sursa for Christmas. I also want to get out a sweater I had started last year - all I need to do is finish the sleeves of Larstorp done and sew it together! If I get really motivated and get all these projects done - I can cap off the month by knitting Gesta with some Kochoran I got on sale this summer as well. I think that Norovember will be soo much fun.

Hope you are all having a great week. I cannot believe that October is almost over - but it has been much colder than normal here with snow and freezing rain. I hope that November warms up a bit!

Have a great Thursday all!

48 Things You Could Care Less About

1. FIRST NAME? Kathy
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I sure was – my mom and a great aunt.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Yesterday. I cry easily – like for commercials. I am pretty sappy!
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? It is not bad, if I do say so myself.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? I am not a fan of cold lunch meat – but I adore corned beef and hot pastrami sandwiches.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes, I am a good listener and extremely loyal.
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Blog
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope, they have been gone for years.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Not in this life – or the next!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Special K Red berry – mmmm, I like that stuff.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Hmmm, do I have a pair of tie shoes? I don’t think so, but if I did I don’t think I would untie.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Strong? As in muscles? Nope – but I am strong in faith, strong in spirit, and extremely bull headed!
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Anything coffee flavored.
14. SHOE SIZE? I am a size 8 ½ to a 9, depending on the style.
5. RED OR PINK? Red, never – EVER pink. I am not a pastel kind of gal.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My procrastination.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My Nana.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Sure, or at least leave a comment so I can go read it!
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black pants and shoes and a green shirt and jacket.
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Chicken tenders at Uccello’s for lunch today.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Muzak at the office and Teresa talking.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Orange.
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Bread baking in the oven and the smell of newborn babies!
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Jodi, of course.
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Their smile.
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? I think I do – I like to read her blog.
27. FAVORITE DRINK? Chardonnay, please.
28. FAVORITE SPORT? College football – college basketball, pick one depending on the season.
29. EYE COLOR? Hazel
30. HAT SIZE? I don’t know, large? Not that it is filled with brains! ;-)
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope, I am at the “in between” stage of glasses – not quite ready for reading glasses.
32. FAVORITE FOOD? Pasta anything.
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Never, ever scary movies – happy endings, please.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Hmm, I love all seasons, but if I had to choose I would say winter.
36. HUGS OR KISSES? I have to pick????
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Crème Brulee.
38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I have no clue.
39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? See #38.
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Other than knitting books? Hmmm, maybe I need to get books on tape – then I can “read” and knit!
41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad? Not a thing.
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Jeopardy and Law and Order something or other. Now if I answered on Thursday I would say Grey’s Anatomy and ER.
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? My daughter playing the cello (only a mother would love that – and she is so much better now than when she began 5 years ago!)
44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Both – there is no way to choose!
45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? China
46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I don’t know if a positive, upbeat attitude is a special talent, but if it is not, I don’t have one.
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Zeeland, Michigan
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Stolen from http://www.januaryone.com/!

Have an awesome Wednesday everyone!

Swap Pictures or I Am One Lucky Knitter!

Hello Everyone - I wanted to show off the treasures I recently received from my swap partners!

First off from Renee who was my partner in KTS2 I got these wonderful goodies - I wanted the picture to do justice to my discription! Thank you Renee! Notice especially the cute card with "Knitting Mice" on the front! I love it and all the treats, Renee!!

Next up are the goodies I got from Shelley my Hot Socks Swap pal. How awesome are they? She did a GREAT job of spoiling me! I am one happy knitter -


Thank you Ladies for the wonderful treasures you sent me! You both rock!!

When it rains, it snows?

Hello everyone - well, I am certainly one lucky knitter. It has been raining swap boxes this week! And, we had our first SNOW last night!!

Renee was my spoiler and did she spoil me!! I will post photo's this weekend, but I wanted to share with you what treasures she sent to me! In my package, all neatly wrapped, were not 1 but 2 skeins of Lamb's Pride worsted in the Winter Blue colorway. There was a skein of Sockotta yarn in an awesome blue, green, grey colorway (can you say Socktoberfest?) She sent me not 1 but 3 different teas - Zhena's Gypsy tea bags, Almond Happiness loose leaf, and Cherry Vanilla loose leaf! 2 HUGE bars of dark chocolate with orange! And, a great candle with a lovely Christmas holder. Renee, you are so amazing - what awesome gifts. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I feel so spoiled!

Have a great day everyone - and if it is cold where you are - stay warm!

Really HOT socks!

Hello Everyone - I arrived home last night and found a package on my doorstep! Shelley was my Hot Socks Swap partner and she sent me a little box filled with big goodies! Inside was a lovely card hoping that I enjoy the goodies as much as she enjoyed getting it ready for me!! Shelley - I LOVE THEM! She made me the most gorgeous "sock bag" - I love the fabric and I have already filled it with a pair of socks I am working on! I will post pictures this weekend when my daughter brings the camera home! Inside the bag were some awesome treasures - a skein of Regia sock yarn in a wonderful blue-brown-green colorway, a small knitted bag that held 6 gorgeous green stitch markers that Shelley made herself! They are so cute! And, they are my favorite color!!! She also included a bag of Starbucks Bella Florentina Coffee! Thanks so much Shelley for the wonderful gifts you sent!

Get to know you questions!

Hello everyone.

Jody, one of the hostesses from SP9, posted some questions on her blog - I invite anyone to answer them - as she did. Here are the questions and my answers!

1. Where is your favorite knitting spot?
I love to knit anywhere - but my favorite spot is the sofa in the living room. My dogs will come and get curled up with me as I knit - makes for a peaceful way to pass time.

2. If you suddenly could never knit again (shudder) - what would you do instead?
Boy - this is a tough question! I am sure that I would make cards - and probably alot more than I am doing now! I also might do a little quilting occasionally! I would definately not be as happy doing those things as I am knitting!!

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world - where would you go and why?
Scotland - I am fortunate to have been there twice - but I would love to live there! I certainly would like to go back as a knitter - I was not knitting when I went there before. The people are so nice, the scotch is so good, and the country is so gorgeous!

4. When you were little - What did you want to do "when you grew up?" Are you doing it?
I wanted to be a mom more than anything in the world - I got my wish, I have 3 amazing children who are the joy of my life!

5. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
I love coffee icecream!

Have a great day everyone - please leave me your email address or blog address so I can stop by and say hello!

Socktoberfest questions...

Hello Everyone - Lolly asked us Socktoberfesters to answer a few questions about our sock knitting history. So - here it is!



When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class? I started about 2 years ago, when I began knitting. The LYS where I took my first class was having a "toe up sock" class. I loved the sock yarns - and the teacher/owner promised me that I could do this! So, I signed up.

What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time? My first pair was some self striping yarn and they were awful - my heels sucked. I was taught short row heels and I had major difficulty with the wraps and turns. I also struggled with the cast on technique - thank goodness for Judy Becker!! The socks have held up well - no one wears them! I use them as an example in my classes that I now teach on toe up socks.

What would you have done differently? I would have frogged them and knit the heels again. I would have also spent some time looking for a better pattern!! I was intimidated by dpns - I should have tried them. The second pair I knit was out of Cascade Fixation - I made some socks for my daughter - they turned out wonderfully - knit on dpns - and they have lasted wonderfully!!

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed? I love Lorna's Laces, Koigu, and Schaefer sock yarns. I also have knit socks with Blue Sky Alpaca Silk and with Drops and with Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino - wow are they also nice to knit with!! RY Cashsoft is also yummy and makes even yummier socks!

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method? I have never, ever crocheted socks - eewwww! LOL. I have knit socks on dpns, 2 circs, magic loop and I really prefer dpns. Don't tell my students - I teach toe up magic loop!

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?) I love the heel flap version for myself - it fits my foot better. It also fits daughter #2 better, but daughter #1 prefers short-rowed heels.

How many pairs have you made? I have knit myself 2 pairs, daughter #1 - 2 pairs, daughter #2 4 pairs. Shhhh, I am working on Christmas socks for my son and my mom! My completed total is 8 pairs.

Have a great day everyone!!

International Scarf Exchange VS Socktoberfest

What a battle!

I am trying to finish my scarf for my ISE Pal - but I was overcome by Socktoberfest yesterday! I tried to resist but I was down for the count - have you all seen the new Jo Sharp book? Knit 1 has some awesome patterns in it - and there are not one but TWO sock patterns in it! Of course I was looking at the Alpaca Silk Gorgette and before I knew it I was casting on a pair of socks! I am doing the lovely picot-edged socks in the book. I have about 3" done on sock one. I hear my scarf calling to me - traitorous knitter that I am - I am ignoring her. I have about 36" done - half way - and I have "floor time" at work tomorrow, I promise that I will sit and knit during the 4 1/2 hour time block. I am a captive audience for calls from people asking about interest rates, etc. It has not been the most productive time spent - work wise, but it is excellent knitting time!

We had rain again yesterday - and more is expected for today. The leaves are beginning to turn colors - I bet that north of here they are getting some great color. We will all have to stop in to say "hi" to Susie and ask her how the leaves are looking. You might also check out her Etsy shop - she spins and dyes some amazing yarns. Be sure to tell her that Kat sent you. All you Socktoberfest and Hot Socks participants might find something lovely to knit up a pair of socks for yourself or your loved ones!

I better get back to work here gang - have an awesome Tuesday!

SP9 Questionaire Answers

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love Jo Sharp and Rowan – basically anything they do. I also love Shaefer, Lorna’s Laces, To Knit Perchance To Dream – Susie’s yarns are so awesome, and Koigu for socks (or lacework). I would love to try some STR – I have not had the pleasure as of yet. I am not a fan of acrylic’s at all.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Good question – I am currently not using anything other than the packaging they came in.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting 2 years – my Knitaversary was August 17. I would consider myself an adventurous intermediate – or I know enough to be dangerous!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, I do.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) I like crisp, clean scents. I really don't care for floral-y scents at all.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I do have a bit of a sweet tooth – and I love dark chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I have been known to make a card or two and I sew. I do not spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I love jazz – Diana Krall, Michael Buble’, Tony Bennet, Harry Connick Jr. are some of my favorites. Yes, my pc can play MP3’s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I tend to gravitate towards earthy tones; greens, browns, rusts, greys, blacks. I dislike pastel colors – pinks, yellows, beige.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I have 3 teenagers (Rachel, Heidi, and Sam) and 2 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (Copper and Penny).

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Scarves and mittens – yes. Hats – not very often. Poncho’s – occasionally.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Socks!

13. What are you knitting right now? I am working on a couple of sweaters, some slippers for Christmas gifts and socks.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I love to receive handmade gifts!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I prefer circ’s and I have a nice collection of Addi’s, some bamboo, and some Bryspun plastics that are great for lacework.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No – I do not.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Boy – I have a sweater that is almost 2 years old. Yikes!

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas and Easter!

19. Is there anything that you collect? Antiques and Santa's.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I have been bitten by the “lace” bug recently – I don’t have a lot of lace patterns, but would love to work on a collection of them. I have a subscription to IK.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I am a “beginning” lace knitter. I have knit some lace socks – they are treasured by my daughter who I made them for. I picked up a skein of Lorna’s Lace this summer and have recently cast on the Half Pie Shawl – and I really love how it is looking. Of course, it is a fairly uncomplicated pattern! I love the shawls that I am seeing on so many blogs – I would love to learn lace knitting and in all it’s complicated glory!

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Oh, yes – I am such a sock knitter! I wear a ladies size 8 ½ M shoe, my foot is 10” long – and I like my socks to be a little loose on my foot.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 12/27

SP 9 and much more fun!

Hello Everyone! SP 9 starts today! Wooo Hoooo! Socktoberfest starts today, too! Could life get better????

I am knitting more inches of my scarf and plotting out my sock progress! I am so excited to work on socks! I have some plans for socks and October!

Did you all see my post from yesterday? There is a contest brewing here as well - If you post your suggestions for this lovely Indira Gandhi yarn -

Some lacy pattern - any and all suggestions will be entered into a drawing. You have until Midnight - EST - on Friday to post your suggestions. You could be the lucky winner of a skein of Shaefer Anne for Socktoberfest!


On to SP9 - the questionaire's are posted on the blog and I will be working on my answers and posting them later today. Hope all of you are having a great Sunday!