Detail

Here's a close up of the different stitch patterns. Blackberries, twisted stitches, cables, 1/2 diamonds, and moss stitch. 

Blackberries Close Up

Gratuitous shot of the boy

 

Adventures in Aran Knitting ... Part 1

When I heard about Clan Aran Sweaters where I could purchase yarn and a pattern that represented the Shean name I thought it was a pretty cool idea. I checked around a little, but I couldn't find any place to purchase the pattern only. So I decided to just bite the bullet, fork out $100, and buy the authentic báinín yarn and pattern straight from Ireland.

...Then I hear about The Great Aran Sweater Myth over at The Knitting Curmudgeon's blog. Oh boy, I had been had, or so I thought. Fortunately Marylin did all the research for me (thanks!) and I was quickly relieved to figure out that I hadn't been swindled. I knew that The O'Sheahan's hadn't been fishermen ... so why would they have a family sweater?? Of course they didn't, well not to identify their washed up dead bodies anyway. You can read more about the history of aran knitting at the link above, but basically each stich pattern represents the different motto's of each family. The Shean's (or O'Sheahan, O'Shea, and O'Sheehan) stand for. Cables symbolize luck, Diamonds: wealth, Tree of Life: Family, Ladder of Life: Health and Happiness, Honeycomb: Work, Trellis: Success, ZigZag: Love, Irish Moss: Holy Trinity, etc.

I was pleased when it all showed up, then suddenly very afraid. I have never worked on a pattern so complex. And the site of all that báinín yarn (did you notice how huge that 1 ball of yarn is??), well, it's just a bit overwhelming. I have several projects on the needles right now, but this has been calling my name. So I worked a swatch to check my guage and practice the different stitch techniques. I honestly thought I'd try it out and decide that I was indeed over my head and put it away for awhile ... until I was more experienced. I mean I have ONLY been knitting for just over a year! Instead I'm hooked, I LOVE it!!! The Irish Moss, the blackberries!!! It is so cool to see them come to life. So I bound off my swatch and just casted on for the back. I'm still on the ribbing and have to write out the entire pattern, but I'm not worried, I'm excited and can't wait to see it come to life.

...More to come! 

Aaaaaaaah Manos

I've heard about this stuff, I've read about it ... but I had never seen it in person. As far as yarns go, I seem to find that when I actually come across the yarn that people gush over, it's just ok. Not bad, but doesn't live up to all the hype. I was beginning to think that my expectations were just too high. Until I came across this. Oh my, it's like buttah I tell ya, like buttah!

I was rumaging throught this yarn store that I heard about near my work. And when I say rumage I mean RUMAGE! I'm sure there are many more treasures than this Mano's to be found ... good luck finding it! This LYS has yarn from floor to ceiling ... all shoved into plastic bags and cubbys. Now I do appreciate the bags, keeps the yarn clean and all. But it makes it real hard to browse the store and get the feel effect, which to me is one of the few perks of going to a LYS. I will go back there, but it will be with much more time to search and browse.

So back to the Manos, I will be making it into a throw for Mike. You can see I grabbed up the entire lot of this yarn, there are 12 hanks, which should be enough for a small throw. I was going to do a basket weave stitch, but I think I'm going to look for a different pattern as the variations in guage don't allow the pattern to really show up. I'll post my progress.

Socks, Socks, Socks!

Here's my stash of sock yarn. I've got about 2 1/2 inches done on the second sock for my Father in Law, the color is Cape Cod. Next will be socks for my Dad in Fly Fishing, then my Mom in Morning Glory, finally Mike will get a pair in Yukon. That is of course if I don't pick up more sock yarn along the way ... yeah right, I hope no one is holding their breath on these! The ones for my Father in Law were suposed to be a Christmas gift, when I missed that deadline, I thought I'd be done by his birthday ... well that was Thursday and well you know the end to this story! I may put those aside and crank out my Dad's pair in hopes of getting them done for his birthday in March. Well I wont tell him since there is a good chance that won't happen! I really love knitting socks, this is my fourth pair so I experimented with a 4x4 ribbing. According to Mike he likes his socks a bit longer, so they take a while (not to mention he wears a size 12) My dad on the other hand has smaller feet and likes sport/ankle socks, so his will be quicker and I'm not going to do any ribbing other than the top for his. For my mom's I think I'm going to try the Jaywalkers I've been hearing so much about. I have no plans for Mike's other than I love those colors.

Support our Troops

Here is a picture of my cousin Matt, he serves in the Army and is currently deployed to Iraq. This picture was posted on the Army's site. He's the one on the left. I'm proud of him for serving our country, but I hate that he is there and why our idiot president has these young men and women there. Please pray with me for his safe return home. Matt's mom and my cousin, Betsy, forwarded this link to us last week, I had been wanting to send it out to everyone, and today being 9/11 it just seemed appropriate to put it in my blog.

August 29, 2005 Spcs. Matthew Phelps and Martin Gonzalez, from Company B, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, search a house for insurgents and weapons in Rawah, Iraq. This photo appeared on www.army.mil


Soldiers from B Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division conducts patrol of the houses and banks of the Euphrates river looking for hidden weapons. B 3-21 is attached to 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry, 2-14 is in Rawah Iraq to suppress terrorist activities. Photo by SSG Kyle Davis, 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera) (Released)

I also have another cousin there, serving in the Marines. David Paul Mendoza. Please pray for him too.

YAY! My Knit Picks Order Finally Arrived!!

Thank god it's finally here, I thought it would NEVER come!! This is the first time I've ordered from Knit Picks and I have to say that I am more than pleased. Other than it taking what seemed like forever to get here ... I have no complaints. And really I can't even complain about that because shipping is FREE, yes free, for orders over $30, I'm just impatient! The yarn is so soft and the colors are so vibrant. I can't wait to see the finished garments. Oh, I should mention that all this yarn is going to be knit into things for ME!! Yes, I'm treating my self to a few items. I figure after this I'm going to get started on Christmas presents, so I better do it now, otherwise I'll have to wait until next year. Besides it's not like I was out of control all the yarn and the 3 patterns came in less that $70 ... I can't beat that price!


Chickami in Merino Style - Dusk

Ribby Shell To-Be

I will be knitting the Ribby Shell from ChicKnits with this ... LOVE this color!!

Merino Style - Iris

The Eyelet Cardi To-Be

I will be knitting The Eyelet Cardi from ChicKnits with this ... can't wait to get started!


Merino Style - Coal

Here's Bronty

Just love knitting up these Dinosaurs! Such an easy weekend project. Now I'm going to mass produce the set for Jack's September Birthday Buddies! Hope they like them as much as Jack does.

Bronty

One Skein Wonder

What a fun one this was! Instant gratification!! My sister in-law Julie LOVES orange, so when I came across this yarn at Elann several months ago I just knew I couldn't pass it up. The only thing was I had no idea what I would make with it. Then I saw the One Skein Wonder. Obviously this yarn would require more than one skein, but it was worth it! I ended up using 5 balls of Valeria di Roma 100% Angora yarn doubled. I hope she loves it!

Jack modeling Julie's One Skein Wonder Shrug

rear view

I'm pleased to introduce Klaralund

This is the first garment I've made for myself and I'm quite happy with it. It was a fun and pretty easy knit. Like the sweater for Jack, if I use the pattern again I will knit in the round for the body and the arms up until the point where I need to attach them to the body. I haven't had a chance to wash it yet, but I'm still trusting that it will be softer and not so scratchy.


Klaralund

Jack's Sweater in Regata

It's finally complete. I have to say that I thought it would never happen. I had to re-work the back shoulders and neck once (the pattern was wrong), then redo the collar 3 times. Thanks to Sheree, she gave me a tip to bind off loosely since it was too tight to fit over his head the 2nd time. But finally it's done and I am pleased with it. And Jack loves it too, that's the best part. I can't get him to take it off after asking him to model for pictures.

This is the first sweater I've completed, it's a lot of work. I think the next one (after the Klaralund sweater that I'm currently working on) I will modify the pattern and knit it in the round. There is just no reason to have to do all that seaming. Anyway, here are the pictures.

Best Model Pose

I Love My New Sweater!!

Another View

I can't stop starting new projects!!

It's insane really. I started a quick baby blanket for a shower I'm going to tomorrow. I hope I finish. I'm still working on Jack's sweater, I'm about 1/3 of the way done with the front. And still working away on my Klaralund, I'm done with one sleeve and about 1/2 way done with the back. Then I'm going to cast on this One Skein Wonder for my sister in law tonight. Of course I'm using different yarn so it will be more than one skein, but I saw this and thought it really looked like her. So that's all on the knitting front. As if it's not enough!! Mike says it drives him crazy that I have so many projects going on at the same time, I guess he'll just have to get used to it!

Trice the Dinosaur is Completed

I knitted up another dinosaur for Jack last weekend. They go pretty fast so they are a fun easy project. And Jack loves them, which makes them extra special to knit. This guy looks pretty cool tromping through the Bougainvillea out front.

Another Dinosaur for Jack

Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Filling
3 C Cooked Chicken (Cubed)
1 pkg Frozen Peas
1 pkg Frozen Parisian Carrots (If you can't find these use other frozen or fresh chopped)
3 C Chicken Broth
16 T Butter (2 sticks)
1/2 C Flour
1/2 C Chopped Onion
1/2 C Chopped Celery
Salt & Pepper to taste

Crust
1 C Shortening (I like the butter flavored)
3 C Flour
1 t Salt
8-10 T Ice Cold Water

Melt butter in pot, add celery and onion. Cook until soft and translucent. Add flour, stir well, slowly add chicken broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add Frozen veggies and chicken. Cook until thick and bubbly. Salt & Pepper to taste.

Prepare dough for crust. Roll out 1/2 dough for bottom crust. Place bottom crust in 9X13 Pyrex dish. Prick bottom with fork. Cook @ 350 for 10 minutes. Roll out top crust. Turn oven up to 400. Poor chicken/veggie/gravy mixture into cooked crust. Top with remaining crust. Bake for 35 minutes @ 400. Let stand for 10-15 minutes.

Tip - For a tender flaky crust don't over work the dough. Just roll out large enough to fit pan and fill in cracks or holes. Don't worry about how it looks! Taste is more important.