"Just Call Me Punk" KAL Knitting

I joined a really fun group on Ravelry called Chunky Monkey, We have a Hat/Cowl KAL (Knit a long) running thru the 15th of September. This is my 2nd project with the group. It’s 97 degrees out and I’m thinking winter?

The first one was fun so I went for the second. When it was completed all of my models were working! So, Isaiah volunteered, o.k. bribed.

It’s quite big for him so the bottom edge rolls but, it fits nicely on an adult. I had a bit of the yarn left over so I made some wristers.
One of my daughters saw this set and said Oh Mom, your going Punk! Isaiah was the only one home to use as a model. He put the wristers on and shouted “I HAVE THE POWER!” He’s such a guy! LOL

Crazy for a Cozy Cowl Free Pattern

I've been trying to focus on winter knits, as the cold days will be here before we know it. I say that in 82% humidity and no rain in sight!

I love scarves of any kind. But there are times you just don’t want to fuss with one. Cowls are wonderful for warmth and so easy to use. No flying ends to tuck in, get caught in doors or sit on! You can smoosh down (yes, smoosh is a word and no I don’t care what Mr. Webster has to say about it!) or pull up & over your chin for those cold winter winds.

So, be it called neck warmer, neck gater, or cowl, they keep snow balls from going down your back!

Cozy Cowl is a pattern I have been thinking of since last winter. Made of 100% wool, chunky knit on size 9 needles. Cast on 25, knit pattern of your choice, to the length needed to fit over your head. Kitchner stitch together. Great stash buster for the one skein projects or, using leftover bits.

Test Knits and Wash Cloths

I know, I know, I’m stuck on dish & wash cloths but these have been so fun!
Some were test knits for Lisa Milan of DigKnitty designs.
So far I have all Grandsons & boy patterns are hard to find but, Lisa is LOADED with them. Well, She’s loaded with patterns to fit any taste!
Here are the newest that will be posted in my stores soon;

Scooter in Medium Blue
100% cotton
Red Dino, In the TUB?
100% Cotton



Olive Green Monster Truck to scrub away outdoor play!
100% Cotton


Yellow Go Cart, racing you to the tub!
100% Cotton



Set Sail in the bubbles!
Med Blue, 100% Cotton

Why do I love these was cloths so much? They are easy to launder, soft enough for babies & adults. You choose the color and pattern to meet your wants and needs! They also fill that instant gratification fix.
And every once in a while Lisa posts a free one!

Poppel Hat, Instant Gratification Free Pattern

After these past few hectic weeks I needed some "Instant Gratification" Quick and easy, and a great Stash Buster! The ribs allow for a snug fit, It almost grips the head. I loved them as it was less time hunting in the yard for hats!
I call this the Poppel hat. Remember the poppel toys from the mid 80's? Not the plush toys, the plastic accordion type linking toy. I think there was a collapsible storage container system on the market for about 2 weeks!
Sz 7 needles
Worsted Weight,
Child size cast on 72

A simple stocking hat cast on for your size, simply knit in the round to approximately 3 inches. (My children preferred the ridges to start past the forehead.)
Purl for 4 rows, knit 6 rows, purl 4 rows.continue this repeat until it is long enough. Start your decreases here. Divide your stitches by 4 and place markers. K2tog at marker, every 2-3 rows depending on the size. (smaller sizes decrease
I usually k2tog every 3 rows (for a child)keeping in the pattern. Repeat until 12 stitches remain Thread through the last 12 stitches and tie off. It will come to a point and nestle in ridges. You can add a pom pom, but I prefer a I cord. These look great with k2, p2 ribbing for 1 inch, and knit at least 2 inches prior to starting the ribs. This is the first time I've written a patten down (such as it is) so feel free to comment if you have questions.

What's on Your Needles?

What’s your knitting style?


I was recently in a conversation with a group of other knitters discussing various “working projects” we each had. I was amazed at the various styles & disciplines used.
Some prefer to actually start and complete 1 project at a time, others may have a few with various “finishing“ needed i.e.; seams sewn, buttons, ends woven in or blocked.

Others have up to 10-15 projects on the needles At any given time, gifts, long term projects, instant gratification project, those your not sure your going to like and are thinking of changing, projects for the long school practices or car pool lane, bus ride or car knitting (here’s hoping you’re the passenger but I have known a few……………)
I always have quite a few working. I get bored working on one and switch to another, I flip around and then have quite a few completed at once. I start on one hat and think of another color pattern and off I go hunting fiber and needles! Kind of a knitting Bright Shinny Object!

It got me to wondering how many I actually had so, here’s my list:
Lost in Music Shrug 1/3 completed
Chunky Beret 95% completed
Poppel Hat needs threads woven in
Baby Jumper- needs decorative needlework
Burgundy mitts- needs seamed and decorative needlework
Burgundy Beret, ½ completed just sitting there, as I’m not sure if I like the color work
Hood scarf combo- my design not sure I like it
3 Woodland Sprite hats- each ½ to ¾ competed, 1 week
Kimono Baby Jacket-waiting seamed 4 months
Baby Sweater, waiting button sewn on 2 months
5 Cowls need threads woven in 1-2 months
5pr Booties need sewn 1-2 months
Case in point needle case, ½ done
3 wash/spa cloths in various stages
2 pr Diaper Soakers just need draw string threaded 2 weeks
2 Gigunda Market bags 1/3 & ½ completed
That’s what I can see from where I sit. Wow! At least I can say its all knit from stash!
I’m not even opening my actual “project” tub!
What an eye opener, I do believe this is what they call Knitters A.D.D.
So, thats my almost list. what does yours look like? Are you a 1 & 2'r or do you have 5-15?
Let me hear from you!

And, the knitting language we have? Well! That’s a post all in itself!

Wedding Recovery & Looking for my Mojo

Have you seen my knitting Mojo? I seem to have misplaced it! I guess I’m in a knitting slump.
Weddings, tho wonderful are an emotional roller coaster. The whorl wind wedding preparations for this one have left me wiped out. A touch of the same flu that hit Isaiah hasn’t helped. It turned out he did have the flu. Courtesy of the E.R., a few bags of fluids with Tylenol and he was much better & ready to play.
Here he is after fluids, charming the nurses! He was released at 4 AM. Monday is a bit of a blur, due to that same flu bug. I slept the day away!

What a way to spend your 5th birthday, sick and getting married!



On the knitting front, I made a simple clutch bag, just playing with designs. I was so excited that it was working out, as I liked. It felted beautifully, nice & tight, thick. In my excitement, I forgot to sew it closed. So I was whining about it on Ravelry. Knitchick suggested I consult Lynn of Lynn’s Bags. Be sure and check out her bags, they are gorgeous! She provided the info to salvage the purse so I will work on it tonight

After that fiasco I needed instant gratification. What can be quicker or as fun as a baby hat? I love working these up. I normally have color changes at the rib but this time I chose a variegated acrylic pastel. Will be an easy care diaper bag stuffer for Mommies

The infinite gift list of “Almost Malika” Market Bags is getting shorter. A bit closer to the original size, this one is made of Sugar’n Cream Confectionery color Plum Pudding. Cream to Brown with Purples mixed in. Love the colors, if it didn’t mean I ‘d need to make another one I’d keep it myself! I changed up the pattern on front again, keeps it from being boring

My Baby Was Married Today

No matter how old they get your baby will always be your baby.
She was married today.
Let me rephrase that, Isaiah & his Mommy got married A very small simple ceremony with family gathered around they said I Do.


Our son Aaron & daughter Ania were not able to make it from Calif But were there in spirit





Isaiah's job to take care of the ring, through out the ceremony he would hold the rings out as if to say "see I didn't loose them!" Just think Vanna White!

15 minutes before the ceremony he started vomiting, we thought was a touch of the flu.
Sure made thing memorable!


Not sure what happend to his clothes, he started out with pockets in and tie tucked.









The photos AFTER the photos. My girls being, well..my girls. Rachel, Katie, Danielle & Erika.
Katie is a bonus daughter, ours by everything but blood. A Teacher, a Behavioral Therapist, & 2 in Marketing/Banking.

Just Yesterday they were fighting over Barbies and G.I Joe's, playing dress up,sliding down the stairs in a laundry basket, setting the woods behind the house on fire, .........





And the newlyweds? They spent the evening in the emergency room as Isaiah's flu bug wasn't the flu.

Reality bites sometimes!

Back to School

It’s that time again, kicking and screaming at the purchase of school supplies, and that’s the parents!
I missed it.....the lists of supplies, sports gear needing replaced. Until I heard the school bus in the morning. Where did the summer go?

Am I totally warped or, do other Moms do the back to school dance? Mine are all out of school now but we had 4 of our own and, 3-4 others living with us. I loved them all more than anything but, I will never forget the morning the youngest child stepped on the school bus with the “Big Kids” for the first time. I cried for about 2 seconds, did a arm pumping little dance and called my husband at work. I was so excited saying, “Honey listen to this!” and extended the phone out to the room. His very calm response was, “I don’t hear anything” Mine was
I KNOW!

Fun & Weirdness

More fun and funky weird stuff. I stopped in to local pottery chain and found this.
For $3.00! Its so ugly its cute!
My Daughter Danielle stopped in, and her reaction was “You Paid $3.00” for….. that?!?
The look on her face when I gifted her with another? Priceless

Yarn Yummies

Ok, My mail lady is due a serious gift this Christmas! She has been bringing me some great packages the past few days. PEACE FLEECE!!!! My first batch! Purchased through a co-op. I love the colors, shades with in shades that blend wonderfully. These should make wonderful Diaper Soakers. Great “workhorse” wool, that softens more with each wash.




The second is an ETSY purchase from Union Center Knits, 100% worsted weight wool I love the way the colors blend one to another. I think I hear them saying they want to be fingerless mitts. Hmmm, have to see what I can come up with!

This last set is also an Etsy purchase from Yarntopia Treasures.I love the color combinations. Purchased for some Christmas knitting..... felted bags and felted potholders. But we'll see what happens!

If you have a plan for it its not stash right?

Scrap Happy Stash Buster

A little weekend knitting

If you like knitting with cotton, you may like me may have tons of left over scrap in your stash. Not enough for a dish cloth, just a little of this and a little of that. What to do with all those partial balls? How about a Scrap Happy Stash Busting Market Bag. A bag for those quick trips when you only need a gallon of milk and leave with a bag full.( you know what I mean, Oh, I need pasta & cookies are on sale!) Inspired by the Malika Bag at Overbrewed Knits, I started playing with my scrap cotton. Not quite as deep, this one is 12 inches long and the front measures 11 inches wide. But, it stretches to 24 inches wide and 18 inches in length! Just enough for that $50.00 gallon of milk!

Woodland Sprite Topper

Woodland Sprite hats are so fun to make. I love mixing and playing with colors, so many possibilities! My mind is usually ahead 3 hat color combos before I finish casting on.
I normally will use wool blends but have been asked for washable baby knits.
These are a mid weight hat, sure to keep some lucky baby warm this winter!

Woodland Sprite in Blues, Green & Brown.
Made to fit 6-18 months.









Daisy Days Woodland Sprite
Sized for average 6-12 months.
Again, this hat is machine wash for
Easy Care.












I love the Woodland Sprite Foliage.
Remember playing in a pile of leaves?
You can't see me, you can't see me!

Foliage is sized to fit 6-18 months

Soft and squishy, easy to stuff in a diaper bag
Make great gifts!

I should have them posted to my Etsy store this week.

When you think you have it tough...

I know, 3 posts in one day is excessive. But I had to share this;

For those of you who think you have it rough and are limited to what you can do......

A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?' The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'.

They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went onto join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together.

One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.'To which, his father said 'Yes' .
For those who didn't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island .
Father and son went on to complete the race together.
This will inspire you.
This is awesome!

Fun & Weirdness

I love weird stuff, my family thinks I’m nuts but, its fun.

You tell me, is this weird?

Empty Nesting & Cleaning Out

There have been a lot of changes in our house this past month! We are, (Drum Roll Please) officially Empty-Nesters! Right now with beautiful weather, we have been pretty building the rock wall, gardening and other summer activities so its not so hard. Come winter months I know it will be tough.
What amazed me is what they did not take with them. Looking around & finding all the “important stuff” they couldn't’t toss out thru the years. On the back of one closet shelf I found a” trick or treat” pumpkin basket… stuffed full of high school notes. After reading one I tossed the rest. Some things a Mom just does not need to know! How about dance recital costumes and butterfly wings from another, 7 curling irons? My kids were pack rats! Gee, I wonder where they got it…Really made me look around and see what I have collected. There will be one Big yard sale soon. Why did I keep a broken VCR? Passed the book shelf, cleared out 4 bags of paperbacks, and you can’t tell! I went down to the basement, or “The Pit” . People have been known to go down there and never be seen again. More costumes, athletic gear, boxes we moved here 15 yrs ago! Cases of canning jars I forgot about…I’m on a mission to clean it out and organize, room by room, closet by closet, cabinet by cabinet. I’m only about a quarter of the way thru the house but it has been freeing. This is a big house but it’s stuffed like a Christmas Turkey, for just a little bit longer. What did your kids leave behind? One positive thing..I can park where I want to!!

"I'm Not Done Yet"

Every once in a while something happens in our lives, be it joy or sorrow and you will hear a soft voice say, “I’m not done yet.”
A baby, born so early his tiny body fits in your palm, hugs, tears & Prayer then you hear the soft voice saying “I’m not done yet.”
My daughter Rachel and her husband Adams family experienced such a thing this weekend. Adam’s grandfather came to visit on Saturday. He’s an older gentleman, has been ill with kidney failure and numerous strokes so, they valued the time together. (This is told second hand so if I have errors in the telling please forgive me but I just had to share this) Back home in church Sunday morning he leaned to his wife in church and said ”I don’t feel good” (She offered to leave right away, as with his history that’s not a good sign) He wanted to stay. Just a moment or 2 later he fell over unconscious, not breathing. She called out for some one to call 911. Within 2-3 minutes paramedics were running up the church aisle. Later at the hospital, the doctors said if not for such a rapid response he would not have survived. They live in a very small and rural town. I believe Mitchell, In. is 30-45 minutes to the nearest hospital, ambulance assistance about half that.
The family contacted the 1st of the 2 “local” ambulance service to thank them. They were told, “We didn’t make the run.” So they confidently contacted the 2nd, only to find out it wasn’t them either. Returning to the hospital, after explaining the confusion they asked to check admittance papers.
Here is evidence of Grace in action. An ambulance service & EMS team was traveling from northern Indiana to Louisville, Ky. for training, & had gotten lost, …about 45minutes out of the way kind of lost. They were passing in front of the church when the call went out for EMS. Personally, I don’t think they were lost, I think they were following another set of directions. They had no obligation to stop other than dedication and professionalism. I don’t know about you but I heard “I’m not done yet”