Irisheyes knitting blog

Oops, I found out a present......Sorry Santa

2009-12-24T09:48:00.002-06:00

But I know now, and I can sleep well tonight, knowing that
SANTA is bringing yarn!

I don't know which yarn so that is a fun surprise.
Fireman is disappointed that I know.

IM NOT!

Did you find something out already, accidentally?
I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

Time for Rules at the kathy b house

2009-12-22T17:24:00.002-06:00

*Now that the house is clean, if anyone uses the downstairs bathroom before Christmas afternoon, when guests arrive,
well Heaven help them.

*Eat whatever you want. Guiltless. It is okay.

*Sometimes Santa gives you a present you didn't know you wanted! Surprises are fun.

*If one relative won't play the Christmas game, play it anyhow with everyone else. Let him pout .

* It is nobody's last meal. Enjoy whatever you serve and don't worry about everyone's likes and dislikes.

*If you don't get yarn from Santa, buy yourself some!

*Don't skimp on your naps.

and finally,

*Turn off all news until after the holidays. Think Positive. If you must watch for the weather
turn the news on at quarter past the hour. Let me know if you try this one. I find it so mind clearing.
I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

Fireman wanted a headband

2009-12-19T17:19:00.002-06:00

Knit with Zara
Cast on 36 stitches.
In this way on double points: 9-18-9
Knit for 18 inches
Carefully seam the tube ends together
I used 3 needle bind off.

This makes a double thick headband due to the tube that is created .....

Zara has a nice little stretch to it.

Happy almost Solstice!

I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

Dream In Color Gift

2009-12-18T08:14:00.002-06:00

I knew this was perfect for someone when I found it yesterday, I am calling the color Evergreens, or Parochial School.

Chicago weather: Big big snowflakes drifting down

Music : Amy Grant's Christmas CD

Coffee: Caribou Blend

Tree: Lit

Destination: Egg Harbor Cafe and then Gift shopping!

How about you?

Irisheyes Knitters New Nurse .....Allison!

2009-12-16T20:27:00.002-06:00

Allison on the right, Anna on the left. New nurses. You will be in great hands. Congratulations!
(Anna is Al's best friend throughout nursing school trials and tribulations!)
I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

Can you stand another list?

2009-12-15T18:47:00.003-06:00

There have been some great Holiday memes going around blogland. I will combine a few for your reading pleasure.

List of things I like to eat this Season:

My fathers Hungarian cookies. I am the only one in the family who loves them. Figures . Great for dunking in coffee

Ham. What is it about a ham for the holidays? There are 2 things on the menu for Christmas dinner: Duck and Ham.
Quack and Oink. The men want duck, the women want ham. Spiral sliced ham.

You know I have a Christmas cookie addiction. Aside: Did I tell you I gave up bread weeks ago, to help with the
calories Im getting in cookies? It hasn't been that difficult. I only fell off the wagon once. Really no bread.
Not no carbs, just no bread. No sandwiches, no buns, no bagel, etc. I ate so much bread before.
I eat turkey deli meat between two large leaves of Romaine.

Guacamole because It is so Christmas green , Grinch green, and delish.

Cinnamon ice cream and peppermint ice cream.....

Okay next list:

Knitting!

I'm finished with holiday knitting.
I am working on some fingerless gloves in Panda sock yarn.

I have to buy a yarn gift for a certain someone.
I am sucker for Lorna's Laces. Not sock weight. Hmmmm

The ladder drop stitch scarf came out so very lovely, I may
have to make a wrap next time. But not a clapotis.

Okay next list:

I'm not going to get a puppy that is available from the shelter.
He is adorable.
I would name him Santa. but
Fireman would name him Coal I am afraid.

I want to get the cats something. Perhaps new boxes
to play in from the store. They look awful in the house, 'but
they sure do love them.

It is hard to top their favorite things already in the house:
the radiators .....

Next list, last list for today:

List of questions for you:

Isn't Santa a great name for a puppy?

Are you planning to see a movie over the holidays?
A new movie theatre movie?
I'm thinking Sherlock Holmes...maybe

Did you get a card from someone unexpected this year yet?
(I got a gift from someone , very unexpected. It is a lovely ceramic
bowl that was made by this co-worker's husband.

Last question on the list:

Have you seen anyone perform carols live this season?
(i saw the Vienna boys Choir you know. THose little boys
that should be home with their mothers still......)

Answer any or all!

I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

Irisheyes Holiday Scarf Poem 09

2009-12-12T10:40:00.002-06:00

The Sister in law Scarf

She knitted the scarf in a holiday way,
she knitted to carols,
it felt just like play

The yarn it was velvet,
acrylic but soft,
the choosiest knitters
could not even scoff,

This scarf wouldn't itch
or bring hives round the neck
Why the pickiest sister would say,
"What the heck?

THis scarf is so dreamy
so soft and so new
why I'll wear it to church
while I sit in the pew-

Then I'll bring it back home
and I'll wear it there too!"

But the knitter forgot
an important knit part....
the scarf needed felting,
but would it be smart

to risk the said scarf
in a front loader yet,
the result could be something
we'd want to forget

it could ruin the scarf
in a very short spin,
it was already Perfect
she thought with a grin

but her knitfriends insisted
it had to be done
she threw it on in
and she winced while it spun.

She hadn't the time to reknit the gift
the yarn was expensive and she was
spendthrit

but when the machine made it's
finishing ping
sped opened the door and examined
the thing

Why it was not ruined,
it was BETTER in fact
she would find the best wrap
and she'd wrap it up fast

For she knew if she looked at it's
perfectness more
the scarf, as a gift,
may not go out her door-
it might stay right with her
and forevermore.....

But the Spirit of Christmas presides
in the end
you knew it dear readers,
the real
and

pretend!

The end

A very good deal.....Yarn for sale for a friend

2009-12-11T07:32:00.002-06:00

Real friend Joan is selling her Crystal Palace Cash Vero
16 skeins
50grams each
98yards each

for the very good price of 100 dollars.

This is the time to let Santa know you want it!

Let me know and I'll put you in touch with Joan.

Nonsmoking
No pets kept
I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

Karen's Christmas Stockings ....

2009-12-10T20:12:00.002-06:00

A woman had a wish. She wanted stockings made for her family, just like her grandmother knit for her.
Karen made the wish come true. The stockings are even more beautiful in person. Santa's beard is in alpaca
and is so fuzzy. The replicas are perfect. Way to knit Santakaren.
I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

Some things about the Holidays, but not ten things

2009-12-09T11:45:00.002-06:00

*I promise to show you the velvety scarf as soon as I finish it. It is going really well since I ripped it back. I am already farther than I was before the ripping. It reknits beautifully too. Remember it is Muench Touch Me.

*The tree is up and it was easy peasy. 3 snaps and it went together with lights attatched already. On clearance last fall. Perfect for that extra knit time that would have been taken up by real tree cautions and finding lights that won't light anymore etc.

*About the only other decoration I've gotten around to, and I love this SEASON, is the Santa that I put in the fish tank.

*Less can be more for the Holidays! Truth is some of our things got ruined in the basement and so what is left is okay, but I am tired of it. Time to find a few new things and begin some new tradtions.

*I bought SMELL OF THE TREE from Hallmark so the living room would smell like a real tree.
Not so much. Al and I agree it isn't the tree smell really, but the candle does smell very very nice.

*Haven't shopped much at all yet. Nonetheless I know that every year I love the gifts I give, and this too shall
happen. I Believe!

*I keep telling Fireman that a puppy will be fine under the tree. Or a shelter dog. He nods now, and that is progress.

*I did bake a batch of cookie gun shooter spritz cookies. What a mess that whole production becomes. I am done.
I'll be making some bars but that is my cookie effort for the year. They aren't even that delish. I am eating them nonetheless!

*Is this more than ten things?

* I don't know what I'll knit after the scarf. My sister in law better love that scarf. I will take it back if she doesn't adore it.
It is so deliciously soft that it deserves to be loved. I have been down this road before...will I ever learn?

*I need to put some yarn on my list to Santa. More on that later.....

*Zach is on the megabus now going through the blizzard. Ah youth. I've given it up to his angels. I did send him
with a megasnickers bar to share with everyone when they get stuck in a snowdrift......
he's going to visit a "FRIEND" who is lovely and very pretty.
I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

Spreading Holiday Shear

2009-12-08T07:19:00.003-06:00

Real friend Leslie gave me this little lamb. He's a bank. For saving.....for you know what.

His darling hat is actually a little green bell. There is a bell inside. Real friend Karen's grandmother used to knit
these little holiday bells. Generational knitting is mysterious and fantastic to me.

I ripped the velvet scarf almost all the way back. Why?
Because I shouldn't knit even a four row repeat after working two night shifts......while having a chardonnay with LIME.
Such ripping used to really bother me.
Really bother me.
Not a bit anymore!
I get to feel this lovely yarn for longer now.......ahhhh silver linings. It is my favorite point of view.

I think I'll post silver linings for the rest of the month. Today's silver lining?
Well, working at the shelter was cancelled today and I look forward to it all week.
However, I got to spend some coffee time with Fireman before he left for what promises to be a
big scanner day.

Silver linings anyone?

.

2009-12-06T17:18:00.002-06:00

I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

The hat that won't unravel!

2009-12-04T22:57:00.002-06:00

Here is the new hat. All acrylic. All the time. I think it goes rather well with the new jacket. I finished with a KNOT! (you know who you are...thanks for the permission!)

Tis the season for people to fall off ladders. Let's be careful out there. I've been listening to the scanner for you!
I guess the weather being very nice last weekend, lent itself to seasonal decorating. More than a few 911 calls for 'the
person who fell from the ladder. ' The next day there was a run on chimney smoke in the house calls. Yes I do knit while
I listen to the scanner....
And i have to tell you my favorite from yesterday. A call to 911 dispatched as ' for The weak female." COMPARED TO WHO,
I asked myself? It doesn't take much to entertain me.

Speaking of favorites: I saw a liscense plate awhile back it said, "I C SANTA"
I wish I'd have thought of that! Have you seen any great ones lately?

I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

Cleaning closet surprise

2009-12-03T09:57:00.002-06:00

Once upon a time I crocheted 6 teddy bears. The bear family was the start of a baby blanket. Then life happened and the bears were tucked away and thought to be lost for 20 years. Yesterday, in an attempt to organize our closet, I found the bear family. They were in a little chest with things I saved from my children's newborn period.

The are kind of goofy. I have no intention of crocheting more. Maybe I'll knit some squares and join them for a baby to be.

It was a very fun find. There was so much stuff on my bed and on the floor that I could barely have room to nap.
When I awoke, it was dark, because it is dark by 4 pm here in Chicago this time of year. I tripped over the little chest going to shut off my alarm clock. Initally I thought I broke my big toe. Now I think I will just lose the nail. I swear I didn't even swear. I was so relieved that landed on my feet somehow, that I was too grateful to swear.

I'll bet those bears had a good laugh after being in the chest for 20 years. Any ideas for them?

I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

Another hat......and a question....please....

2009-12-01T20:19:00.002-06:00

Happy December !

This is another hat for Zach. The last was too short AND unraveled at the top . Humiliating for me.......I swore I pulled the last stitches through and hid the end inside the hat.

So I ask you dear pretend friends, Can I secure this hat differently? It is sketcher style so the top will not rest, this time, on the crown of the wearer's head. In this case, can I somehow do a non circular bind off? Or did the other hat fail predominantly because it was too short and the wearer may have pulled it too hard over his crown??? Suggestions? Help? (snickers and eye rolling are acceptable as long as you provide an answer!)

Another question for the bakers amongst you.....

I found a recipe for my cookie gun shooter. Yes, this means I am attempting Holiday cookies on my own again.
I had lost the recipes. I know I know I looked on line. The recipe I found calls for cornstarch in the mix. What? I thought that was for gravy? Have you ever? Suggestions? Help? (snickers again acceptable!)

In the image of this post, I show you one of my favorite circs: Bryson bryflex with excellent tips. Oh I do love these needles.
I am just not a fan of addi turbos. I think I am the only one.....Al thinks I have a few screws loose, and I am sure she is right, but she can take those Addi's with her anytime. Hmmm, maybe Santa will gift all of them to her.......if she is good.

Can we chat in the comments? I love that.

Seasonal goings on

2009-11-28T12:47:00.002-06:00

This irisheyed Hungarian is continuing the festivities downtown today. We were given tickets to see the Vienna Boys Choir this afternoon. Thanks Joany B! I'll be doing some charity knitting on the train down there. Making some squares for a group project in which we are making blankets for disabled children who live in a group home. This was not my idea, but I am happy to contribute some sqaures.

Fireman is really wanting that big screen TV from Santa, and his taking me to the Vienna Boys Choir show today is helping his cause tremendously. Mrs. Claus and I are thick as thieves.....

I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

Happy Thanksgiving to YOU!

2009-11-26T11:27:00.002-06:00

Here is my FO: my bamboo scarf in clapotis style. It is so soft and silky. Destined to be a Chirstmas gift.

Here's hoping your turkey is moist,
your yams delight
your stuffing is bacteria free
your green bean casserole is bubbly,
your cranberries are tart,
your gravy is smooth
your potatoes are hot
your cornbread is rockin
your skin is crispy
your coffee is strong
your whip cream is fluffy
your apple pie is my sister's!
and you knit with a full and happy little belly today!

I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

Harvest Hat

2009-11-23T18:49:00.002-06:00

This is one of the donated adorable hats from Nancy and friends. I have no baby, but I have a spaghetti squash. So here is still art with harvest hat. Off to the unit they go!

I am off for a dark drive into the big city. I don't like to drive in the big city. I dont' like to drive at night in the big city even more.....
I am being brave. Because I once had a baby boy and now I get to go bring him home for the holidays!

I wish I had my Huck with me. He loved a drive in the car!

Where don't you like to drive????
I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

Heroes

2009-11-21T17:44:00.002-06:00

Now that I have your attention.....hee hee...this post isn't about firemen, but it is about heroes.

I have to thank a hero named NANCY H from Minnesota. Nancy I cannot find your correspondence if we had emailed in the past,

Nancy 's little grandson dropped of a wonderful box of adorable hats, and a rattle for the Neonatal babes. Hooray for SUN COUNTRY flight attendants and staff who sent this box of sunshine.

I'll take some pictures tomorrow. I just had to thank her immediately.
I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

LIttle Lamb pin

2009-11-20T21:01:00.003-06:00

I gave this fluffy lamb pin to my friend Leslie. I hope you can see it.

Two thumbs up for the lantern moon needles I am knitting the bamboo waterfall scarf on.

Two thumbs up for Bonnie's Bamboo in buttercream, by Farmhouse Yarns

Two thumbs up for fifty degree November days in Chicago

Two thumbs up for the people on the train with me who coughed into their elbows....

Will I talk to you in the comments?

Dog Thoughts

2009-11-19T17:02:00.002-06:00

Photo courtesy of THE ART OF RESCUE.

SO Hucky has been gone nearly 3 months. Here's how I am doing.

Somedays very good. I talk to him and we get through the day.
Somedays surprise me with sudden heart breaking loss.

It is getting better. I know it does.

I washed Huck's bed today. I cannot move it away from our bed, but at least I washed it . Yes I was sad
to see his hair in the lint drawer.

I have been going to a shelter with a friend of mine, Linda, who volunteers there.

I like going there.

I haven't found a dog. But I love being around dogs. This is enough right now.

I want to bring a shelter dog a bone. I have to ask if I can. The dog is a dog I could never
adopt, but seems worthy of a home with someone and a great bone to gnaw on.

I am Reading SECOND START. A book about adopting a dog.

My sister the vet is visiting over Thanksgiving with my neice and nephew dogs. I cannot wait.

Fireman thinks we will wait until spring. I don't know......
I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

The Purl Bee Garter Baby Blanket

2009-11-19T08:53:00.002-06:00

When I can knit with wool again, I will finish the baby blanket. The yarn was originally for my Log Cabin blanket.
As you know, there will be no Log Cabin blanket. I think the switch to baby blanket works out just fine.

I am working on the delicious bamboo scarf. I decided to do a stockinette and in the end I'll pull some stitches down
all the way to make a drapey effect.
I realize as I knit this, that it is a goofy way to make a drapey/lacey look. Knitting something you plan to drop out in the end;
however, it prevents me from having YO's and getting lost in lace. In otherwords, it prevents frustration on my part. That is oh so good!

I am posting again later about the dog thoughts I am having. Fair warning, this is the knit post of the day!

I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

And it's mine all mine till the day I die!

2009-11-16T15:46:00.002-06:00

I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

My Great Adirondack scarf is off the needles. So soft, so non wool! I gave the yarn specs in an earlier post. Not to be like
Sr. Marie or anything, but I only say it once. She used to say that. I know now she was lazy, like me!

I used to skiens of the luscious soft stuff. Now I want the color not to fade...ever.

I cast on 66 sts and worked Row 1 Knit
Row 2 KNit one,* Knit one, YF slip 2, YB K1*
I knit it on big fat turbo's.

It is in my Garter book and is called the ribbon stitch.
I actually prefer the side that looks like it is ribbed.

Im wearing it in the house. I'll wear it outside the house too!

Up next: bamboo knitting on rosewood straights.
Scarf.
Similar to a clapotis.
Stockinette, but knitting in back of the stitch before and after those that I will pull in the end.

I'm really enjoying all the Thanksgiving meme's going around.

Today I am thankful for having a phone that does NIGHT MODE and doesnt ring while I sleep in the day!

Ask Kathy B a Question Day

2009-11-13T15:48:00.003-06:00

This is lovely Lisa who is showing us the Lotus Leaf Scarf that Karen made out of Touch Me. It is soft as velvet. Softer.
We all made sort of obscene noise when we felt it. That's how good it is. Karen used the pattern by Dovetail Desighs. She knit on size 7 needles to minimize worming. Smaller needles will keep the worming down she says. Then, she felted it. There is 5% wool hidden in there somewhere. It really made the worms invisible.

Corrections: Oh dear I am now have to post corrections to the posts! Karen's Christmas tree hat came from Ravelry. I thought she made it all up! She could have you know. She is knitbrilliant.

So for one day only, I'll answer any questions. Took this idea from Stitches of Violet's blog. Go ahead, ask!

I realize it is quite possible I have already told you more than you ever want to know!
I'll talk to you in the comments. :)

I'm Baaaaaack! Camera working again!

2009-11-12T16:05:00.002-06:00

Lovely Lisa sports Karen's Christmas Tree hat. Lisa is a sport! Karen is so clever. Karen made up her own pattern.

Lisa will be featured wearing Karen's Velvet Touch neck wrap, but around her head, where it also looks lovely....in the next post.

All is calm and all is bright, my blog world is up and working again.

Blah blah blah about what the issues were. I'm so happy I could knit lace. But I won't!

Have you felt this way when an appliance or toy began working for you again? Do tell
I'll talk to you in the comments. :)