Congratulations 2007 Red Sox!

Best team in baseball! Bring on those Angels! We are ready for October baseball!

Fall Felted Bag Topic of the Week

WHAT MAKES AUTUMN FEEL LIKE AUTUMN AND WHY?

THE CHANGE IN THE WEATHER, THE SMELL OF THE LEAVES, THE CHANGING COLORS OF THE TREES, THE FAIRS, WALKING THRU THE LEAVES, COOLER NIGHTS, THE HARVEST MOON.

ALL THESE THINGS MAKE IT FEEL LIKE AUTUMN. NOT SURE WHY . I REALLY ENJOY THE CHANGES THAT HAPPEN THIS TIME OF YEAR.

This one's for Nicki!!

NICKI, WE THOUGHT OF YOU WHILE STROLLING PAST THESE STORES. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU ENJOYED VISITING THEM ON YOUR TRIPS TO CAPE COD WITH US IN THE PAST.
LARRY IS HOLDING UP YOUR AFGHAN FOR ALL TO SEE.
WE WANTED YOU TO KNOW EVEN IF YOU WEREN'T WITH US THIS TRIP WE WERE THINKING OF YOU AS WE VISITED COMMERCIAL STREET.

Missing pictures

NOT SURE WHY MY PICTURES DISAPPEARED BUT HERE THEY ARE AGAIN. HOPEFULLY THEY STAY IN PLACE THIS TIME.
THIS IS MY FALL FELTED BAG - KNIT PICKS BULKY WOOL OF THE ANDES - COLOR "CAPE COD" TAKEN ON NAUSET LIGHT BEACH, EASTHAM, MA
PROVINCETOWN MONUMENT, PROVINCETOWN, MA
VIEW FROM TOP OF MONUMENT - PROVINCETOWN HARBOR
ANOTHER PICTURE OF THE BAG SHOWING THE PROGRESS MADE WHILE ON THE BEACHES. THIS IS FIRST ENCOUNTER BEACH ON THE BAYSIDE OF EASTHAM, MA

Cape Cod Getaway

Larry and I went to Cape Cod last weekend to relax and enjoy the great fall weather. What a great weekend. I brought my Fall Felted Bag along to knit. This is the bag when we arrived. It is knit from Knit Picks Bulky Wool of the Andes. The color is "Cape Cod". Perfect name. It was taken on Nauset Light Beach on the National Seashore. My favorite beach!

We visited Provincetown also and WALKED up to the top of the Provincetown Monument. All 116 steps and 60 ramps! I haven't tried that in at least 10 years! The view from the top was fantastic! It was such a beautiful day you could see for miles! The last time we went up the tower it was winter and cold ! This was a much better visit! You can see the harbor below. Isn't it beautiful!
We also visited the bayside of Cape Cod. We went to First Encounter Beach where I continued to knit on the bag. As you can see I am making progress. By the time we returned home I had finished the bag except for the handles and felting. Larry was kind enough to hold the bag for me so I could get a picture with the beach at low tide in the background. Wonderful beach. Water is warmer than the ocean and waves gentler. You can walk out and find lots of little crabs and fish in the tidal pools. Beautiful day again!
We got to spend a wonderful relaxing weekend in our favorite place. My favorite restaurant - Arnold's - was even open. They usually close right after Labor Day but this year are still open weekends until mid October. Yum! I got to have the best lobster dinner!
Was a great weekend! Can't wait to go to Bar Harbor next month! More Lobster!

Week #3 Topic of the week for Fall Into Autumn Dishcloth Exchange

This week the topic is Autumn and your favorite thing about it and why.
One of my favorite things about autumn is the cooler weather. There is so much to do in New England outside in the fall. I love being able to go to fairs and picking pumpkins and being able to enjoy the time outside and not be melting in the heat! I love going to see the foliage and beautiful mums and smelling the fall smells in the air.
I also love the fall holidays. Halloween is so much fun. And Thanksgiving is a great family holiday.

Fall Into Autumn Topic of the Week #2

This weeks topic for the Fall into Autumn Dishcloth Swap is dishcloths and which yarn and needles we like to use.
I love to work with Fantasy Naturale from Plymouth. I like the sheen it has. It also comes in great colorways. The colors are sharp - not faded and the dishcloth/washcloths always look so pretty I don't want to give them up.
I also use Peaches n Cream and Sugar n Cream. They have a good color selection and are very reasonably priced. These dishcloths have a more muted color and a more "used" look.
Both are great, just depends on the pattern and color I want to use.
Bernat is making some Holiday Prints in cotton and it comes in big skeins - 608 yards. Bought some but haven't tried it yet. Comes in both solids and varigated colors for Christmas.
I am using either a size 7 or 8 straight needle that is plastic and only 7 inches long. They are called kid starter needles and work great for small projects.
I just (yesterday) received my new Harmony fixed circulars from KnitPicks. I ordered a size 7/16inch just for the dishcloths. Haven't tried them yet. They are so pretty and feel very smooth. Will use them for my next project! I just ordered the Harmony Options set. Can't wait to get it!
I haven't tried any other yarns yet for dishcloths but am open to trying others. Would like to try linen or bamboo but am not sure how they would work for a washcloth or dishcloth. I also have some cotton chenille I want to try.
Better get back to my knitting, need to send out my September Crochet Swap package tomorrow. It has to be in the Netherlands before the end of the month. Also need to mail my Knit One ,Tea Too package out this week. Just need to finish my handmade item and it is ready to go.

Supplies and Pattern for FFBE

Well, I have decided on a pattern and yarn for the Fall Felted Bag exchange and have CAST ON!
I am using the pattern I received from June. June who can be found at www.agardeningknitter.blogspot.com made my bag for the Spring Felted Bag exchange and it is a beautiful bag! So, I thought I would give it a try.

I am using Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Hand Dyed Bulky. The colorway doesn't photograph well but is a very pretty mix of green, blue, brown and gray called Cape Cod. I am using a solid that coordinates for the bottom and trim.
Well, I better get knitting! Will post WIP pictures.

Another blog I like to check out is Sarah's blog at www.lovestoknit.blogspot.com. Sarah just started her blog and this is her second swap. She made a beautiful bag for the ITE4.

Well, I have to go check the mail. I ordered the new Harmony knitting needles from Knit Picks and can't wait for them to get here!

FALL INTO AUTUMN WEEKLY TOPIC

This weeks topic is - Do you change the type of yarn you use when the season changes?
I don't change the type of yarn as much as I change the type of project. I don't like to work on large/heavy/warm projects during the summer.
Prefer to work on lightweight smaller projects in the summer. I think it is just a "mental" thing because we have ac so it really isn't a matter of the being to warm to knit.
I received my pals info for this swap and have emailed her. Think I will go check out her blog and see what she might like so I can choose some yarn and get knitting!

Anne's dishcloth contest

Nice pattern Anne! Enjoyed making this dishcloth for Anne's contest. Check it out over at her blog - www.yarnfamily.com - I am going to try it again with a solid color. Pattern didn't show up well with this yarn but I love this color and couldn't wait to use it. I used Plymouth Fantasy Naturale and size 7 straight needles. I used the really short needles.
I can't really describe my knitting style. I knit left handed and was taught by a friend from Germany many years ago. It is a combo of her style (European) and my style(what ever works). I have been told I knit backwards but since the stitches look like they are supposed to I don't mess with my style!
Anne, I think you should call this pattern Shadows. Can't wait to make a solid color version so shadows show up better!

Christmas Around the World Knitters Swap Questionnaire (whew!)

Are you religious? Not really, I believe in God but am not a regular church participant

How long have you been knitting? Would you consider yourself a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced? I have been knitting for over 20 years - am not interested in advanced projects because I knit to relax and do not enjoy knitting complicated patterns but am not a beginner. So I guess that means I am an intermediate.

Do you have any other hobbies besides knitting? I quilt(not very often at the present time), read, crochet

Favorite color(s)? Purple any shade, jewel tones, beachy colors.

Do you collect anything? yarn, knitting patterns/books/magazine, lighthouses, any and all types of bags and totes to carry my knitting and other stuff, beach rocks/glass/shells,

Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? no

Do you have any pets? 2 cats

Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate? hot chocolate or tea (no coffee)

Cookies or Sweets? either

Do you knit socks? Yes

If not socks then what? (tell us about your favorite knits) baby items , dishcloths, totes and bags, scarves

Do you put up a Christmas tree? If not then what do you do? Love having Christmas tree up!

Favorite holiday treats? Christmas cookies and pastries

Favorite holiday smells? evergreen smell of Christmas tree , cookies baking, Christmas ham cooking

Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional or unconventional way? Please elaborate. Traditional. Family gets together Christmas Eve, make hand made pasta, have dinner - everyones favorites - and then open presents.

What are your favorite holiday traditions? Christmas Eve together and a Christmas get together with my grandchildren and my nieces and nephews to make Christmas cakes (shaped like snowmen or Christmas trees) and craft projects together. (usually a couple weeks before Christmas)

Finish the sentence: “For me Christmas is all about....” FAMILY

If you were a Christmas ornament you would be…….? A mini basket full of mini yarn balls of red and green yarn with a red ribbon and mini knitting needles.

What was your favorite gift you've ever received? Love any and all gifts I receive. Or given? Most favorite gifts I have given are the ones I have made.

When do you start your Christmas? Thanksgiving night

Do you send Christmas cards? yesDo you make them or buy them? buy them

What is your favorite Christmas dish? Homemade gnocchi with homemade tomato sauce. We hand make the pasta together Christmas Eve.

Carolers are at your door. What do you do? Join in or offer a snack/hot drink.

When do you open presents? Christmas eve or Christmas morning? Christmas Eve with kids and grandkids - Christmas Day with BF

Do you celebrate with family or friends or both? Both

FALL INTO AUTUMN SWAP QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been doing it? CAN KNIT AND CROCHET. HAVE BEEN DOING BOTH FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

2. Have you made dishloths before? Do you use them yourself, give them as gifts, or both? HAVE USED THEM ALL FOR GIFTS SO FAR

3. What's your favorite cotton to make cloths from? What cotton would you like to try that you haven't before ? NO FAVORITE

4. If you knit, do you prefer circular or straight needles? For all, do you prefer wooden, metal, or plastic needles? PREFER CIRCULAR WHEN POSSIBLE OR VERY SHORT STRAIGHT NEEDLES. MATERIAL DEPENDS ON YARN BEING USED.

5. What are your favorite colors? PURPLE IS MY FAVORITE. LIKE ALL JEWEL COLORS OR "BEACHY COLORS"
Any colors you don't like much? AM NOT CRAZY ABOUT ORANGE OR YELLOW EXCEPT IN HOLIDAY THEMES ITEMS.

6. What do you like best about Autumn? COLORS, SMELLS, COOLER WEATHER

7. Pies: Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? All of em? or No Thanks! NO PECAN. LIKE ALL OTHERS

8. When you were a kid, were you the one who couldn't wait to get started with school , or the one who overslept on the 1st day? COULDN'T WAIT TO GET STARTED

9. Do you celebrate Halloween? (The real key here guys is especially knowing if you have an aversion to the holiday or little goodies/decorations associated with it, given the time frame of the swap)YES I DO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN

10. If you had to choose just 3 edible 'goodies' to eat for a full year, what 3 would you choose? CHOCOLATE, RAW ALMONDS AND COTTON CANDY

11. Do you have any pets? Kids? Husbands who seem like kids? ;)
I HAVE A BOYFRIEND OF MANY YEARS, 4 GROWN CHILDREN, 5 GRANDCHILDREN AND 2 CATS.

12. If you were to describe a particular yarn that shares traits of your personality, what would it be and why?????????SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT!
13. Do you use your cloths mostly for dishcloths, or as facecloths? DISHCLOTHS
14. Favorite Fall Holiday: Halloween or Thanksgiving and why? (Feel free to share another fall memory if you do not celebrate either of these holidays)I LOVE THANKSGIVING BECAUSE IT A GREAT FAMILY HOLIDAY. THE FOOD AND FAMILY ARE THE FOCUS.

15. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should know about? NO ALLERGIES BUT DISLIKE SMOKE.