My Sister's Knitter

Weekend coming to a close...

Just when I feel like I am starting to get into the groove of the weekend, it is Sunday night. I guess the key is to be grateful that I have a job to go to tomorrow, somehow that eases the pain. :)

New socks have been started. These socks look like they should have been my Easter socks. They remind me of little girl's Easter dresses.

These bright footies are having the last toe grafted in a few short minutes. Yippee. Love the color. Had I know the yarn would have been so stripey, I probably would have knit a pair of vanilla socks. Regardless they are still fantastic and I love the pattern.

Other than socks, other knitting/crocheting has been going on. The progress is not too noticeable or else I would show you the pics. Maybe next weekend I will be able to post about some finished things. Wouldn't that be cool? I have really been trying to focus on getting my WIPs down to a more manageable number like five. I know there are some of you that may feel faint at the thought of having five WIPS, but I still like you. :)

What else? The usual weekend stuff, cleaning and cooking. Oh, have I ever shared with you my favorite comfort food of all? To me it is like a grown up version of Mac and Cheese, Greek style.

It has a rich feta sauce which has white wine, garlic, tomatoes, onions, and shrimp. I would share the recipe but it came out of a cookbook that I cannot link because it was written to raise funds for a Children's Hospital in NV and  I wasn't able to find it online. It is kind of like this recipe, but without olives.Anyhoo, nothing tastes more like heaven to me that this dish. Do you have one certain dish that brings comfort to you? Please share if you do, it is nice to share. heh.

Enjoy a nice Sunday song. Hope this post finds you all settling down with your knitting and happily ready to face Monday!

 

XO

Andi

 

It's Monday, how about some love?

Happy Monday peeps! I know, I know...it's Monday, what is there to be happy about? How about some finished items?

My swap socks are finished. The pattern is Shur'tugal. A great pattern with enough detail to keep your attention. Now to pick up some goodies  for my swap partner.

My Hedgerow socks came off the needles are well. I mentioned earlier that the pattern was a bit boring, but they served as a nice change from the Shur'tugals. The yarn was a gift from my friend, and once it came in the mail I knew it would be perfect for this pattern. Socks are done!

What's next? Not sure yet, I am really trying hard not to cast on anything new and focus my attention on items that are currently on the needles. This has been difficult considering all the temptations in blog land.

• Helena's projects always seem to find their way on my list. Her Nuvem has me reeling!
• Oh Lori, what are you doing to me with this shawl? So many lovely blues being knit up lately.
• A new blogger to me, Jesse hooked up this wonderful blanket.
• Trying to stop myself from buying their entire stock of yarns. I may or may not have already purchased some. Ok I did! I will share with you soon.
• Check out these fantastic book ends. I have grabby-hands!  
• Thanks to Allison I have a new beverage for the summer (below).

In other news thank you all for you nice comments on my giveaway. Due to the amount of responses, I won't be replying to each comment, just know that I appreciate them! My fingers are crossed for you all. Remember you have till April 5th to enter!

I am outta here to enjoy some back episodes of this show. Do you remember this show? I love seeing Marilyn knitting at her desk. She makes me laugh. Happy yarning everyone.

XO

Andi  

Weekend Progress...

What a wonderful weekend for knitting. Our weather here in Arizona has been up and down lately, we went from 85 on Friday to 58 today. Truth be told I really live in the wrong state because I would be the happiest woman alive if it would stay at 58. In the spirit of the cooler temps, the WIPs have been progressing.

 

Here is my WIP basket. In your face!!! Heh- didn't mean for the picture to be so "in your face" but it is and there is no going back. Because soon after the pic was taken, WIPs were taken out and being working on.

 

My swap socks are coming along. Now I love a challenging pattern, but I am about done with left twists and right twists.

 

 

Hedgerows have been getting some work done as well this weekend. While the pattern is a tad boring, they are a nice break from the left and right twists of my swap socks.

 

Ah, and look who else came out to play this weekend. She was a bit pissed at me for letting her languish so long in the WIP basket, but all was well again after I knit quite a few rows  during movie watching.

 

Sock scraps have been worked into little grannies. Not really into the hexipuff craze, so I figured why not have little grannys for whenever the mood strikes.

 

From the looks of it, you would have thought that I never left the house. I did if only for a quick trip for some lovely spring flowers and cookies!

 

Be warned really good cookies that come in a bucket are never a good thing when you live alone. Hmm...why does my stomach hurt?

I mentioned movie watching while I worked on my shawl. I watched the movie The Beginners. How is it I forget how much of a crush I have on Ewan till I see him in a new flick? Other than Ewan being wicked cute, this movie was really good. I also watched One Day, man was I on a cute guys weekend watching thing or what? Maybe it was a hot guys with accents thing.

As if I haven't overlaoded you with enough images for one post, look what just happened outside!

A wee bit of hail. It happened for only 20 seconds and now it is already melted-boo.

Now that I have talked your ears off, I will let you get on with your knitting/crocheting and I will get on with mine. See you back here in a couple of days for a giveaway-whoot whoot!

 

XO

Andi

 

Starting the weekend...

It is Saturday peeps !

I have so much that I need to get accomplished this weekend, so much I don't know where to start. So in typical Andi weekend style I will start with some blog reading, breakfast, and a few stitches ( because I like to multi-task).

On the subject of breakfast, the above pictured porridge has been my everyday morning grub for a couple weeks. I make this recipe on Sunday night and it is enough for  me to have a bowl everyday. I add a lot of different toppings depending on what I have on hand. This morning I had some bananas, apples and walnuts. During the week I had some wonderfully sweet blackberries-yum! A bowl keeps me going well into lunch and helps me not to snack in between meals.

These socks are being finished, I am on the last toe! This means my pair will be done by the deadline-take note Jody (inside joke).Even with the end of the month fast approaching I decided to cast on another pair of socks with the beautiful gifted yarn from my friend Maryse.

The pattern is Hedgerow, while it is not an exciting knit, I think it shows off this lovely yarn perfectly.

Okay, now I really need to get my butt in gear and get some chore done. I will leave you with a video that Kiwiyarns Knits shared on her blog. It makes me laugh out loud.

Have a great weekend everyone!

XO

Andi  

Need To Be Enabled?

No problem...how about some lovely yarn from an Indie dyer?

I know, right? One of my goals this year was to purchase sock yarn from only Indie Dyers. I saw this yarn knit up into some wonderful Monkeys by Gail, and it didn't take long before I had some of my own. While I was visiting See Jayne Knit'sshop, some stitch markers jumped into my cart, not sure how that happened but I am glad they did. heh!

I just love me some cute stitch markers. If you decide to take a look at See Jayne Knit Yarn, all I have to say is good luck. You will want everything!

Oh, look what else I got. I have been waiting for these to come out for a couple of months.

Hiya Hiya Sharps! Most of my needles are Hiya Hiya, I am glad to add these to my collection. They are perfectly lightweight and the joins are  smooth.  Within minutes of receipt, these were holding a new scarf pattern.

As if all the lovelies above are not enough, how about some enabling links?

• I want one of these tote bags. How cute would they be carrying my knitting projects?
• I think these salts would be perfect for seasoning a nice piece of fish or veggies.
• Swooning over these socks!
• Enjoying meeting a new sweet friend and enjoying her blog.
• In awe over the talents of someone so young.
• New scarf pattern from an inspiring designer.

 

It's a lot to take in, isn't it? Pour yourself a glass of wine and go visit. You will be glad you did.

Have a great rest of your week!

XO

Andi

Are you ready...

...for some football?

It is one of my very favorite times of the year. I am soooo ready! Even if my team is not in the SuperBowl, boo.

The menu is overall not too harmful.

• Veggies and dip
• Hummus and pita bread
• Relish tray
• Mini meat tray
• Gas station nachos. You know the kind with the pump cheese (okay, so you gotta have some bad food)
• lots of beer! 
          

I will not be running short on projects to work on since the WIP list seems to be busting at the seams. Will you be watching? If football isn't your thing, what do you do on SuperBowl day? Maybe take advantage of some shopping?

So in none football news, I got a little suprise in the mail from a dear friend. It was unexpected to say the least.

I can't do this lovely bag justice, with my overcast weather, so here are some images from the brilliant Dawn herself. Dawn's beautiful crochet work has always inspired me. Bonus that we became such good friends. I will toot my own horn and say, I sure  know how to pick them!

Well loves I am off to enjoy the game ,some good grub, and of course funny commercials!

Enjoy your Sunday!

XO

Andi  

 

Part two of FOs...

The sister was gracious enough to be my model, so that I could display my 2nd finished object of the week.

Thankfully the weather cooperated by being overcast, giving the day the feel of a chilly winter's day.

Pattern: Pasha by Jane Richmond
Yarn : Cascade 220 sport in Natural

In addition to be a cute model, the sister was a good sport about it. Not to say that her services were free. Payment was made via lunch and one of the requirements was a nice Lager.  I guess you can say it was a win for me as well.

Don't worry, we did not have a liquid lunch, there was some food involved. Boy was there ever! I am sorry I didn't take a picture of it  but let me tell you, it involved a burger with a pretzel bun and sweet potato tots. Too incredible, which explains why there is no picture, it was devoured without so much as a thought of capturing it for your viewing pleasure. Sorry.

So there you go the second finished object this week. This is definitely not the norm for me, so I can't get too excited.

I will leave you with some wonderful things that caught my attention this week in blogland, enjoy!

• These fabulous knee socks from Helena.
• There is something about Raina's photos that make want to knit. She could take a picture of food and I want to knit, eat better, looks better. and on and on.  Can't explain!
• Michelle's adorable finished object. Bonus, after knitting an object like this that it look that cute on.
• I have been listening to Podcasts a lot lately. The vary from the Naked Scientist to Cast on. A new one is from Andrea and her friend Mary. It is so much fun, it is like being at your knitting group with your friends.

 

Hope you are having/had a wonderful weekend that involved yarn and good food!

XO

Andi

A little bit of this and that...

The extended weekend allowed me to do a little bit of this that.  Cleaning and organizing chores were done. As much as I don't like to, it sure does feel good when it is done, doesn't it?

Oh and some knitting was worked on this weekend as well. Rebecca and Shannonare hosting a KAL. It is the Warm Up To Winter KAL, and I could not resist. I have been itching to cast on hat for myself for a bit. I went back and forth over a couple patterns and settled on Pasha. In the spirit of  Winter, I cast it on in some lovely white Cascade. It has been a quick knit and I should have it done within the next couple of days! Let us all forget that I already have tons of WIPs on the needles-heh.

In addition to chores and knitting, I baked and cooked. I know, I was on one crazy roll this weekend. I baked up these cookies and made a big pot of soup.

Just your basic throw everything in type of soup. I added some cooked chicken, a bag of frozen veggies, and some whole grain pasta to some chicken broth and seasoned. I had to balance out the cookies I made with some healthy soup. Who hoo- dinner and lunch for a couple of days.

How about you did you do anything fun this weekend? Make any good grub that you would like to share with me? I will share with you some recipes I would like to try in the next couple of weeks.

• Any of these soups from Jody. I love it when she posts recipes!
• I have been seeing Brussel sprouts and bacon all over the place this year. I must try these very soon.
• This time of year I am on a soup kick, so this soup has me drooling.
• Don't get me started with my love for Cajun food! This recipe will be made very soon!

Hungry yet? Don't worry I will share (maybe).

Have a wonderful week everyone!

XO

Andi

 

 

Gets better with age...

I don't know what it is , but as I get older I appreciate the holidays and spending time with the family more and more. I hope you all got to spend some time with the people you cherish this season.

All my Christmas knitting was completed in time. Can I get a "Whoot whoot"?

My dear friend Melly's scarf is off the needles. There are others but I did not get a chance to snap a pic before gifting them. Oh well.

However, I did take a picture of some of the goodies I received from my mom and sister. Wanna see?

A couple additional goodies from my bestie Ruth.

 

Ruth had these project bags she made on her blog. I drooled over them...then what do you know? She sent me 4 of them. Each one more incredible than the next. All four have WIPS in them. As you can see above..they fit perfectly. She amazes me everyday with her generosity, talent and spirit. XO Ruth!

I received so many wonderful things, but the best present is always time with my family. On Christmas we all gather and do Christmas breakfast. I love this tradition. We all make one dish, I always make this. Mom makes a couple things, but my favorite is her biscuits and gravy, (I may or may not  have brought home a gallon size container worth of leftovers). Heh!

I also have enough cookies to keep me on a extreme sugar rush till next Christmas. Let me tell you, these aren't even 1/2 of what I have. I think I'm in trouble! ;)

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and now have some down time to do rest.

 

 

XO

Andi

Living up to the name...

The name of my blog is my sister's knitter, as of late I haven't been living up to the name. There have been hats, blankets, and lots of socks for me. Not that the sister minds at all, but she has put in a request. I have crocheted my sister some face cloths before, but she asked for some new ones.

The other ones did not get lost, but became completely useless when something appalling happened. According to the sister, my brother in law used one in the shower. She could not use them on her face now, because she was worried that at some point they may have come in contact with his "man parts". 

  
The pattern was a freebie on Ravelry and the yarn is some cotton from my stash.

Okay on to a more savory topic. Food! I loved hearing about some of your favorite comfort foods. Soup seems to be on everyone's list. I whipped up this recipe today and it was delicious! I added some carrots, corn, green onions, parsely,and thyme.  ( I never can leave well enough alone)

 
I could eat soup everyday.I have been looking for some good vegetable soup recipes, do you have any? Please share!

Happy Knitting everyone and hopefully your knits are "man-part" free.

XO

Andi

***I forgot to add....Ruth has just opened her Etsy Store! ***