Math Who?

In the past 6 months I have dicovered that I LIKE MATH! WHAT???! Knitting has given me a whole new appreciation for the use of math in everyday life... I love working the numbers to fit the gauge.. And what about negative ease? Well, what about it? Very important, and yet to be mastered. I have found some wonderful literature on design, and lets face it, its pretty easy and nothing but logic if your into it.....So what free resources have I used?
Knitpicks Gauge shell, and this.....and this...Once you get the hang of it, it starts to make perfect sense! For Socks I am guilty of using this...and this....
I am sure there are a lot more free resources out there that I need to find, and I plan on it :) Patterns? I don't need no Stinking Patterns! (Blazing Saddles)

Well, not entirely true! I am guilty of purchasing this one by Staphanie Japel the instant it came out for sale! I can't affore the $188 it will cost for the Tilli Tomas, so I will probably use something else ;)

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I have been in a funk this past week and have hardly knitted at all....And, my house is just a tad bit cleaner from it...... Here are some things I maged to do in the past week:


I am still working on my secret socks for Jenn. I hope it can cheer her up when I finally send them... She found out last week that she has Lupus and is getting in with a good Dr. in San Fran in Aug. When we talk on the phone or IM each other my DH always refers to her as Lupy now :) That always puts a smile on her face.....

Jenn and I have Myspace.com accounts. I stated a knitting group on myspace... Here is the link. If you have a myspace account go ahead and join, if ya don't it's easy to sign up!

I also took over ownership of a yahoo group called Knitalong... We are voting on our next knitalong right now.. Very fun bunch of people... If you want to join that here is the link....

Wendy over at Catknits is joining the Lace knitters swap.. I have until tomm. Aug 1st to decide if I want to join in... Sounds like a lot of fun!

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This morning I was going to sit on the sofa when I saw this!

Hillard spelled that! I couldn't beieve my eys, sometimes that kid really surprises us :) That is the 5th word he has spelled on his own during play time!

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My SP package came! Woo HooHow did she know that these are the exact products that I use!!!! And she made me washcloths too... The cotton yarn she used is really soft. I want to know what it is....

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I bought some yarn on Saturday! This has got to be the sofest, light yarn I have ever touched! I know what your thinking I broke my vow... But, I really didn't because it is for a friend that is pregnant. She is 12 weeks along and kept it secret until now... So of course she is getting a baby blanket! So Chris said that the purchase of this yarn doesn't count! I also found the perfect pattern for it! Speaking of knocked up friends, go give your congrats to Brynne! she is due in early April!(high five)

I am drooling over some Suri merino at My LYS to make this I will probably crack and go it pretty soon ;) And a couple of skiens to make this....

I guess we are up to speed! I am hopeful that when school starts my knitting ablogging habits will return to normal ;)
Have a great week!

More Stash!

I got my LSU stripped yarn on Saturday from Dani and today I got this from Heather over at All Things Heather!



These four skeins will become this. You guys know I have a lot of projects to cast on tonight; after my sock class... Knitting Monogamy is overrated right?

Wow, Recieving TWO packages from my favorite Etsy shops in two days... Ha, dream come true ;)!!!!

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I was feeling very domestic yestersday and treated my husband with one of his fav meals. Muffelatas! (sp)
I make the bread from scratch and make the relish from scratch too! mmmm, good! I had to make these two heart healthy for me so I cut down on the cheese and meat... Chris noticed, but didn't mind. I would be happy to email you the recipe if just comment and leave your email!

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My mom's birthday is coming up on the 5th so I went to Lampes Lumps to buy one of her pin cushions.... You see my mom has her own business, a drapery business, and She spends a lot of time in her work room so I thought this little birdie would keep her company while hoding her pins :)



If you're interested in seeing some of my moms work go to her webpage! She ships anywhere. The last picture on the homepage is my sister's house. It's nice having a mom that sews drapes in her retirement,(she was a CPA) all of us have her work hanging in our homes! .. Sorry had to give the ol' momma a plug ;)

Answer post and more! added

Look at the bottm for a new yarn addition reieved in the mail today!

Here ya go fearless leader ;)

1. What is your favorite season of the year and why?
Fall. Let me explain that...Winter in the south is like the fall for the rest of the country. soooooo? Winter ;)

2. Summer is hot. What do you knit in the summer?
I have been knitting socks and Lace, and short sleeved knitted shirts.

3. If money was no object.....what would you buy at the LYS? ha ha ha! you asked the wrong person! I have been on a yarn diet and I have been listing my wants and needs! Isn't it all NEEDS when it come to yarn?
*Rowan Everything! Dk Cashcotton to make a slightly fuzzy sweater,
*Duchess to make oceane,
*opal silk sock yarn,
*forgot the name of it but some bulky tape yarn they have in there to make the IK tank top,
*Malabrigo of course!
*Hand maiden sea silk galore!!!!!
Should I go on?????

4. What are some activities that have become family traditions for your family?
You besides eating? ;)

We always have weekend parties, it could be a football season or anything, we celebrate it and brings snacks! There are about 20 of us so we fill up someones house about once a week.... I love it :)
Umm, card games too. poker and rummy.

5. What is the weather right now?
eeeewwwwww! it's the Gulf Coast, its hot and muggy! you know the Enuit's have 20 different words for snow, we have 20 different words for humidity!!!!

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I taught class again last night! Oh man thats alot of fun! I really enjoy my classes. Now I am encouraging everyone to take the "knitting in the round" class so I can have them back in my sock class next month :)

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I have been knitting like a demon this week but I can't show any of it to you :( I am finally going to start my Claudia Handpainted socks this weekend in my own pattern (I think?) so I will share pics with you next post.... And when I am done I will link a pattern too.... this ones free ;)


oh wait, what came in the mail today? My rockin' Sock Club package! yeah! It came with a little temp. tatoo, too cute!!

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My best bud Jenn went to Monterey with her family last week and was kind enough to pick up some awesome salt water taffy for my mom and me! wooo hooo Jenn, Thanks girl! You rock ;)





I got this in the mail today from Dani at Sunshine Yarns! I love her colorways and asked her if she could do self stripping yarn in LSU colors for football games and parties this fall. She dyed it up and sent it... I need to get started.. there is 570 yds to make each of us a pair of low cuff socks! yeah! I am so excited...
Thank you Dani,(click her name for her blog) you rock woman!

He's 30!

My creation
Originally uploaded by catherinekerth.

I wanted to take this chance to say Happy Birthday to my best friend, partner and husband; Chris. Happy 30th Birthday!

Pictures of the birthday boy.....

Summer blues...

The Crepe Myrtle is Blooming! We have 3 in our yard and this is just a taste of the beauty! I never really appreciate this stick of a tree in winter, and then prune it back to almost nothing in the spring. What do you get if you miss a few maintence seasons? This! We have lived here for four years and this is the best bloom year!

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Summer Blues, I am having a difficult time staying patient with Hillard. It's really hard to keep in mind that he "can't help himself" when he does such selfish things. I would like to think any parents reaction would be mine, but sometimes I just think "I can't be helping"! I get frustrated with him so quickly, and he always just has this blank stare.. Instead of me slowing down I just get more frustrated and give up. I don't want to be this frustrated, and I don't want to give up. After yelling at him, I end up hugging him and telling him I love him and that I am sorry we don't understand each other; this happens almost everyday....
I see the important connection that Brandon has made with me, and it reminds me of what connections are missing with Hillard. He is simply autistc and is missing that, "I want to be with my family and connect gene" I guess as parents we constantly feel guilty for our short comings when it comes to such important people, our kids.....

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I wanted to make sure to mention that I taught my beginners knitting class last night at Yarntopia... Can I say it loud enough, I loved it! I really enjoyed teaching and cheering people along, giving them confidence.... I am so glad I have this oppurtunity:)
I am working on a secret sock project for my friend Jenn I have already shown her what they look like but I may submit the pattern for Knitty.....
I discovered the pure fun of log cabin dishcloths! Thank you Mason Dixion Knitting for remiding me how simple things can be fun again!
Knitting pics next post, Promise ;)

New Pattern! Scrolls

Hi there everyone! I have been super busy this weekend and I finally have written four patterns! I made this scarf out of Sea Silk Hand Maiden... It is absolutely wonderful to work with! This scarf is 8x60" before blocking and used half the yardage of the ball! The pattern also has 2 other versions of the scarf to make a wider scarf with two spiral curls at each end and a Shawl. I am selling these three patterns together for $4.00 through paypal. I am not that computer savy and do not know how to link your payment with automatic delivery with a PDF. I am working on that. I will have to email you the PDF file when I get confirmation of payment until I get the automatic worked out. Thanks for your patience. I will send you the file within 12 hours of payment, probably faster than that!
You can purchase it as a kit, email if interested and I will call Yarntopia and get the colorways that are available; you can email me your prefrences and I will send it priority mail. The yarn is 400 m for $32, cost of pattern is $4 and shipping is &4.05. Total of $40.05...


I am really excited about my other patterns. All three are all written and ready to go but I don't have sample pictures of them! I am working as fast as I can.... If anyone has some extra time and yarn on their hands you can test knit one for me :) Of course I can't pay you, but you can get a free pattern to try out?

Close ups of the two different stitches for scarves and shawl...


  

  

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Thanks everyone for your kind words on the previous post! The sweater was not frogged but gifted to my Sister-in-Law, it looks fab on her.I have been hard on myself lately, this is the biggest I have ever been and it gets me down sometimes. We all have to stick together right? I think once Hillard starts school again and I get back into my nomal routine things will perk up ;)

RUN! It's a Beached Whale!

I should be extremely embarrassed for showing these chubby pictures:




Lets face it I am NOT worthy of this pattern! Actually if I was 6 sizes smaller, size 8, I may be able to pull this sucker off... If you think it looks good in the blurry photos then the camera is actually doing justice for me for ONCE! I look terrible in this and I am afraid it will be frogged; and a giant wrap shawl will be made in it's place... A shawl doesn't care how fat it's wearer is, it loves her for whats inside ;)
Pitty I have to go back to Yarntopia and buy the Oceane (french Girl) pattern now..
Needless to say I am depressed... This is why I don't shop for clothes anymore....Guess I had better take off those 30 lbs..... I lost 15 lbs. 2 or 3 months ago but put on 5.... atleast I didn't put all of it back on ;)

Bad in Blue

The Knits

Yep folks I can hardly contain my excitement I finished Bad Penny! The neck is a little loose for my taste, but that was my own fault (gauge issues)... I made my K challenge Goal in record time! I casted on June 23 and casted off July 1st! Thats 9 days to make a t-shirt, not bad at all. Pardon the novice pic poses.... With out further delay:


  

  


Specs: Pattern Bad Penny
Yarn Elsebeth Lavold Cotton Patine' (110m) #64 (7 balls)
Needles Sz 7 and 3 US
Mods: I made the inches for the 1x1 ribbing different as called for,and the length shorter, but everything else I kept up to par....

Notice I have given myself a gold medal, Horray for me! Am I up for another K Challenge back to back? You bet I am... I want to get this French Girl pattern done in 5 days, starting July 5th! Whoo hoo!

I am in the Summer of Socks KAL and I have casted on for a pair of socks.... I will not be entering it to my Challenge, it's my lesiure knit :)

Have you guys seen this? I am in love! I have to put it on my list when I can buy yarn again... oh, the pain of waiting!

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The Family

Hillard was sick this holiday weekend and threw up on Chris AGAIN!... I think it's wierd that the kids always throw up on their Dad. Never me, but poor Chris is always holding them when they blow....In college a guy was drinking with chris and threw up on him at the resturant table, poor Chris ;)

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In Honor of

Happy 4th of July! I missed the chance to honor my father on Veterans day (pure ingnorance, and self involvment)... He means the world to me and I can't even begin to imagine what he went through in Vietnam...At least he did get some down time on the AirCraft Carrier... Here is a photo of him relaxing on the ship. (the one in the green hat)


I love you Daddy! Happy 4th of July.......