the great thinker

I don't know if that is the case, but I was bored until my friend Sherry came in to tell me that she is moving to Arizona. Well I guess I have somewhere to visit.  Back to th was thinking what should I be working on?  I have customer finishing to do, but I dont want to do that.  I have projects to complete for the yarn crawl, but I dont want  to do that.  What I want to do is go lay in the pool and veg!!  I guess I will have to wait until tomorrow.

ciao for now

and I will keep thinking :)

it' s good to be green, be coffee house chic

Most of you know by now that I am a great fan of Michelle Hunter.  I found this coffee cup wrap on her site so I worked it up and I thought I would share it with you.
If you are a sock knitter or a shawl knitter I'm sure that you have stash fingering/sock weight yarn that you love and don't like it hanging around, you know it's too beautiful not use for something...well this is the thing.  Whether you partake in coffee or tea you will enjoy keeping your fingers from getting a little too warm and yet keeping your drink from getting cold!

Materials: Approx. 35 yds of fingering/sock yarn and #2 DPN needles or method of choice.
Ga. approx 7sts/1" Stst.   Size: Approx 3"H.
Abbreviations: K2toDrg = knit 2 together
                        RT = (Right Twist) knit 2 sts together, then without taking sts off the left                                         hand needle, reknit the first st and remove both sts from the left                                           hand needle.

Pattern:
CO 60 sts (try using a German Twisted for a stretchy cast on)
Divide sts with a multiple of 6 on your needles
Join in the round and take care not to twist the stitches.

Double Mock Cable Rib: Multiple of 6 stitches
Round 1: *K4, P2; repeat from * to the end of the rnd.
Round 2: *RT twice, P2; repeat from the * to the end of the rnd.
Round 3: *K4, P2; repeat from the * to the end of the rnd
Round 4: *K1,RT,K1,P2; repeat from the * to the end of the rnd.

Work the Double Mock Cable Rib (above) for 32 rounds (8 repeats).  To modify add and subtract after the 4th round of the pattern repeat.

Drink Responsibly!
and as Michelle Hunter always says " Happy Knitting!"

when someone says they have cancer

How does one respond to someone telling you that they have cancer?

Being a knit shop owner is like being a therapist or a bartender.  Customers share a lot of information and problems with me other than they dropped a stitch.  I listen the best I can without offering advise unless they ask me for that.  The problem is that I am not a therapist.  Sometimes it's difficult for me to take it all in because it has nowhere to go.  I have to absorb it.  I hear that psychiatrist need to see someone just for this reason. Right now it's my cross to bear.  Maybe this is plan laid out for me.

But, what do I say to someone who tells me that they have cancer.

my next dog might be named Iris

doesn't this make you smile?

Worth posting

If you happens to be one of the lucky ones that receives my stores Happening then you will have already seen this, but I thought it was Blog worthy as well.

My Mom …was the best!

   

I more than adored my mom from the first day I laid eyes on her J As busy as she was , she was ALWAYS there for me. When I wanted a quarter to go to Clarks  penny candy guy, when I wanted the new Partridge family album, when I wanted my hair curled with my Crazy Curls before school, when I wanted to get white patent leather go-go boots like Nancy Sinatra or when I just wanted her attention with a hug and a kiss. I guess I always wanted something, and I still do.  My mom has been gone from me for over half my life but her spirit lives inside me every day.

My mom worked 12 hour days 6 days a week running the bakery, but she always had time for me and rarely said no.  If she felt she wanted to say no she would send me to ask my dad.  He would ask what did mom say and my response was she said yes! Clever! Although she was busy she usually would work on some kind of needle work in the evening.  I would watch her in awe and would often ask if I could do it too.  In 1968 I was 8 years, when my mom got a kit for me to make, the lion crewel work (below).  I have it hanging in the office at home. It reminds me of a time long ago when my mom would sit with me and teach me how to do many of the handcrafts I do today.  Thanks mom for instilling in me the love of handcrafted items, love for baking, for finer things in life and to appreciate them, for caring for people in a genuine manner, and to laugh whole heatedly when something is funny.  I love you mom.  My new tattoo is in honor of you. Faith, Hope & Charity.

  

 
My dad was a good guy too I'll share more with you on Father's Day.

Have a relaxing Memorial Day this weekend and take time to give thanks to those who make our lifestyles in America valuable.

Ciao for Now!

Poop can be pretty!

This is "Lizzi" and you will be seeing much of her

Dog poopie bag dispenser
I have used, for the most part plastic bags from the grocery stores.  A friend of mine told me that these were going to be eliminated and everyone was going to paper again?  I don't know, I don't see it going away any time too soon. Regardless, I purchased rolls of poopie bags for my little darlings contributions.  Susan, a friend of mine that works here at knit happens with me had the idea to knit up these little bag dispensers she found on Ravelry for the holidays. The pattern is by Kathy Glaes and here it is:

Materials: Small amount of fingering weight yarn, DPN's or whatever method you like to work in the round.

Gauge: doesn't matter in this case.

Directions:

Cast on 48 sts and divide the sts per your method of knitting in the round.  Join in the round, careful not to have a twist. 

Knit 1.5" (which will roll slightly)

next round: [K4, K2tog, YO] 8x's

next round cont. knitting for 2.5"

next round [K6, K2tog,] 6x's

knit a round

next round [K5, K2tog,] 6x's

knit a round

next round [k4, K2tog] 6x's

knit a round

next round [K3, K2tog] 6x's

knit a round

next round [K2, K2tog] 6x's

knit a round

next round [K1, K2tog] 6x's, 12 sts on the needle

K1, P1 ribbing for 4 rounds, Bind Off loosley

Using (2) DPN's knit a 3 st I-Cord for 18".  Thread the I-Cord through the eyelets from the YO's and knot the two ends together.  Insert the roll of poopie bags and go enjoy a fashionable walk.  We should be glamorous walking the dog! 

FYI, don't start correcting my grammar!  I write in a stream of conscientiousness, if it bothers you, dont read it!  With all due respect mind you.

Ciao for now, Connie

                                                     PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

Virtue is a positive trait deemed to be morally good thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being.  So what is going on with a majority of people not having any patience? This morning I went to put gas in the car. When I attempted to pull into the gas station their were cones blocking my entrance.  The guy behind me was blasting his car horn, scared the bejesus out of me.  All the cars ahead of us were stopped at a red light, so where was he going so fast.  Speeding up to stop? It doesn't make sense.  Everyone is in a hurry these days, do they love getting to work early in the morning, they just cant get there fast enough?  What is it.  Not only do they not have any patience, they have no respect for others and they are ANGRY!  Angry Birds flying over my head.

Knitting has most definitely has taught me patience.  I too can be, and was an Angry Bird. Could you blame me?  I drove 30 miles each way into the city every day to work.  When I got there I had coworkers pulling on my coat tails all day.  There were days I would sit in a dark office working on CAD not wanting anyone to come in to bother me.  Now I sit in a beautiful knit salon in Buffalo Grove Illinois waiting for customers to come in.  So you come on in.

getting started

Wow, this is not as easy as i thought, but i will get it together soon.  Those who know me, know that I have a lot to talk about.  Whether it is about knitting, cooking, baking, design, current events or the study of human interactions.
So be patient please and I will be here soon!