My Sister's Knitter

Wow Wednesday...

More things are coming off the needles!

 
They are so hot off the needles, I haven't even had time to block them. Since they are for me, I will probably won't. These socks are stretchy and smooshy. They are my favorites this year. The yarn is Sundara sock yarn-Tuscan Rose Over Lemon. The pattern is from Socks a la Carte. This sock book is hands down my favorite sock book.

Here is questions for you sock knitters. How do you feel about the kitchener's stitch? Personally, I love it. Maybe that's odd I don't know. If you are on the look-out for a great tutorial on the kitchener's stitch, this one fits the bill.

 

It is Wednesday people! Two more days till the weekend. Hopefully most of you have a three day weekend coming up, I know I do! Enjoy the rest of your week. :)

XO

Andi

 

Saturday Inspirations...

I did not do any cleaning last night. That means today, I do not get to have a full day of yarning.

 
So, in between cleaning spurts, I am having to sneak in a little knitting. :) For my next WOW Wednesday, my goal is to finish these socks. I finished one and soon will be working on the heel flap. They are a quick knit, so it looks like I am on target.

Then in between sneaking knitting, I also have found a couple loves.

• Cleaning had been made fun while listening to stories. My favorite is the Harlem Cowboy! I have also uploaded the podcast, so now I can listen while working out.
• After seeing her sweater, I really want to steal it. (You thought I was going to say knit it, didn't you?) Then again she is so sweet, I would probably end up hugging her instead!
• I have been channeling my inner Veruca Salt, whenever I see her new family member. "Don't care how...I want him now!"  And come on with that name ...kills me!
• This lovely lady has me dreaming that I could call the Magnolia Pearl home. The sister thinks the all the patterns would drive me crazy very quickly. (I am normally a very matchy-matchy person).
• I have been craving this, ever since she mentioned making it on her blog.

Okay, sneak time is up, back to the chores! Lots of places for you to visit. :) Happy Saturday!

XO

Andi

 

WOW Wednesday...

Maybe there is something to this whole "setting personal goal" thing.

The squares have been put together. There was some planning involved. How to attach and with what color. I tried to make sure that light and dark squares alternated.

Now if only the weather would cooperate, allowing me to snuggle under this beauty!

Happy Whippin it out Wednesday everyone!

XO

Andi

 
 
 

Friend...

I've said it before, maybe not to you, but to her. I think we were best friends in a previous life. Sometimes it seems odd to have a connection with someone thousands of miles away. A person you have never met in person, but feel closer to than most. We share the same love of music and leading men. :) We laugh over Friends episodes of the past, (She is Monica-like and I am Joey-like). We talk about foods we love and drinks. I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture.

So I came as no surprise when I opened my mailbox and had an early birthday present waiting for me.

I love it all. Homemade beautiful goodies galore!  A fantastic book that reminds me of her, that I just love. Now to go through and say which is my favorite, would kind of like saying you have a favorite child. But I am going to anyways.

 
 
Since her spinning debut, I have secretly wished that she would send some my way. Is that wrong? Not to me. It only goes to prove what great friends we are, that she would send it to me, hopefully knowing that her hand-spun, would be the one of the most treasured gifts.

I know someday we will meet and "paint the town red". We will knit, drink, eat, and rock out! Then we will visit our "never-met" bestie Marilyn and give her wet willies!

As a thank you Ruth...Don says hi.

 
XO

Andi

 

A Movie and Some Love(s)...

Ahhhh...it has been one of those Saturdays. Perfect combination of getting things done and enjoying the day.

Did the weekend housecleaning last night, so that I could wake up today without worry. By taking care of that chore last night, it freed up my afternoon to catch a movie and lunch with the sister.  The movie was even better than I had hoped. The sister had read the book and was really excited to see the movie. According to her the movie was a very good mirror of the book. I recommend it highly.

Lunch was just as good as the movie. I took her to my favorite place for Buffalo Chicken Pizza. Normally I am not one for adding things other than what I consider the norm on pizza. For instance, I don't order salad pizzas or bbq chicken pizzas. So when a friend told me that BJ's has the best buffalo chicken pizza, I was hesitant. Well, after one bite and many visits later, I crave it like a mad woman. With an ice cold beer it is perfection! Now I warn you it isn't much to look at(a least in it 's leftover state), but wow.

 
 Want to know what else I am in love with, this fine Saturday?

• Everything she knits. The green tweed on the needles especially.
• Reading her week in a life. Something about her posts makes me feel peaceful. Can't explain.
• Admiring these bowls, as I imagine having the will to make some homemade oatmeal to fill them.
• Imaging myself making this, with my leftover sock yarn, yet knowing full well, I never will.

Have you found any new loves this week?

XO

Andi

***The scarf above is one of the many WIPsI have on the needles. I have been good about trying to focus on one WIP at time, but the color was just too scrumptious not to share. Yarn is Cascade Heritage Sock in Blood Orange and the pattern is the Checkerboard Lace Scarf.

 

Whippin' it out...

I can only imagine the confusion for people who do a Google search for that topic, and end up on a knitting blog! They are probably like, "What a A-hole!" (sometimes I am-heh)

Now on to the main reason we are here. I am going to try and post my WIPS on Wednesday, as a way of holding myself accountable for finishing them. Here is the thought process, I will post the pic on Whippin' it out Wednesday (referred to here on out as WOW- because it just sounds too repetitive to type it all out), by the next WOW, it should be done.  That is the goal anyway.

 
And yes that is a binder clip aiding in my stitches matching up perfectly. Use what you got, I say! 
Do you remember the Baker's Dozen Swap squaresI received. They are getting put together and I am excited! It has been more work than I originally thought. The reason being is that obviously not everyone's gauge is the same, nor the yarn, so that means a lot of resizing on my end. As well as trying to makes squares out of some "not so squares"

 
I decided to make all motifs have 40 chains on each side. That mean increasing and decreasing galore. I am using 20 of the 23 I received, which will make for a very size-able blanket! Yeah!

Wish me luck, because it is going to be hard to pry myself away from all the socks I want to work on.

Have a great rest of you week, and watch this super cute video. It will make you chuckle!

 

 

 

XO

Andi

Sunday...

Two posts in a week is a rarity for me. Maybe something new? Maybe not. I had to drop it because I received Clue #2 from the Mystery Sock KAL. Although it is just a heel flap, it is too lovely not to share.

 
The pattern so far is lovely. The yarn, now that takes it to another level. It is so decadent. I finished Clue #2 which was the heel and the heel flap. That means off to do the usual Sunday cleaning, work on getting some WIPs done, watching some preseason football, and reading a few lines here and there of a quick summer read.

 
Since the mom works at a library, she is constantly referring books for me to read. This one is a young reader book, but I like it. It is simple, yet thoughtful. While the mom devours books, I do not. So, sometimes short and sweet is on the menu .

Off to enjoy some ice coffee! Have a great Sunday,

XO

Andi

 

Someone needs to get in gear...

That would be me!

  

If you remember at the beginning of this year, I thought a monogamous year was on the horizon. Reality kind of hit when I checked out my Ravelry project queue and realized I have 13 items on the needles.  You know what that means, I need to get it in gear.

So I have been picking up projects and trying to get them done. I have the Netflix streaming, MidSomer Murders ( I am one the fourth season-love it). Oh and guess what has started...Football! That means a lot of t.v time, therefore a lot of projects done?

Anyone else in over their heads in projects? Well if you are let me know, so that I don't feel so bad. :)

Enjoy a song and have a great Friday!

 

XO,

Andi

Fun day...

There is a lot of happiness going on at Casa de Andi today. I received a super fun swap package from my Ravelry International Sock Swap Group. My gift giver sent this from Louisiana,not international I know. Want to see?

I am overjoyed! I am especially excited to try the coffee,oh and the chocolate. :) The socks fit perfect, but I could only try them on long enough for the picture before I had to tear them off. It is just way too hot here for socks.

My swap package is going in the mail tomorrow. I had to wait on one thing to come in the mail. Now since we are on the subject of socks, (since when aren't I lately?). My mystery sock is in full swing. We received our first clue Friday and I could not wait to cast on.

Got my goods all ready to go...and we're off!

Super fun pattern, so far, so good. The yarn is Sweet Georgia Toughlove Sock-Pomegranate. Picture does not do this color justice.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend! I am off to make some ice coffee with my new New Orleans coffee and nibble on some chocolate. Sending some love out to all of you, especially to my dear friend Marilyn,who had a devastating loss this week (xo)

Now because I am at times a complete horse's arse and I like to share my misery. Check out the song that has been playing in my head all morning, and soon to yours. :)

 

XO

Andi