Christmas Sweaters

I've been working on Christmas sweaters so I thought I'd do a blog with photos of my progress to date. The patterns on this page are from the March 2007 Crochet Magazine, and the book Plus size crochet, Fashions that fit and flatter by Margaret Hubert. This is the sweater that I'm making for my sister-in-law only I'm using black yarn. It's a really easy pattern. I've already made one for my mother and it turned out really nice. I used Vanna's yarn that I purchased at Michael's. It works up really fast and sews together nicely. The first Photo is of the back of the sweater. The next photo is of the front sides of the sweater. Since it's a bolo everything looks so small. But, my sister-in-law is a small woman and it looks just right on her. The last

picture of the black sweater is of the sleeve in progress. I hope to be finished in a couple of days.

This next sweater is for my niece. It's worked in a shell patten and is really pretty but it's taking a really long time to work.
The second photo is of the back of the sweater. I used a no. 4 yarn instead of a no. 3 yarn so it is working up larger than it is supposed to but I'm hoping it will work out anyway.

Two Sweaters

I'm still working on two sweaters for Christmas. I'm finally making some headway. I can see them taking shape. I returned some yarn to Michael's today because it was to big, patten called for 3, it was 4. And I figured I can't work on 3 sweaters at once anyway. But next month I'll buy some yarn and try to start the third sweater for my niece. I'm still waiting for my Crochet Dude book to come in the mail, then I'll have 4 sweaters to crochet.

I uploaded a bunch of new photos of paintings onto my art website today. I had to reduce the size of them to fit everything in. These were from my years at VA Tech. It's too bad I only have five pages on the website to use. I could always upgrade but I don't want to pay the extra money.
Well I'm off to watch Smallville reruns.

It's cold this morning. I'm refusing to turn on the heat until I just can't stand it any longer. I've enjoyed my $45 electric bills this summer. Unfortunately I don't think it's going to last much longer. Plus it's raining outside and the dog refuses to go to the bathroom in the rain in the yard. She has to be walked, and I'm not one for walking in the rain. But I think I'm going to have to get the umbrella out and brave the elements this morning, for her sake.

I'm still trying to crochet as much as possible but I only have two months left to finish these sweaters. I don't know if I can do it. But I'll give it my best.

I woke up in the middle of the night and misread the clock thinking it was 5:30 when it was actually 12:30. So I got up and took my meds and ate breakfast and sat down to the computer and it was a full half hour before I looked up at the clock and realized my error. I stayed up for a couple of hours before going back to bed. I'm not sure why my internal clock is so messed up.

I'm hoping some of my movies come in at the library today. It will give me something to look forward to this evening. But I don't know if the interlibrary stuff goes on over the weekend. Who knows.

I've been posting more on the groups at Ravelry. Nothing big, just introductions, that sort of thing, Kind of easing my way into it.
Well that's all for now.

Today I added several more pieces to my projects page at Ravelry. One of those was the long skinny scarves that I crocheted for the craft show last year. Here is a photo of them. They were crocheted out of ribbon. Unfortunately I didn't sell any so now I get to wear them. They were really fun to make and the ribbon was fairly easy to work with. It took two balls for each scarf.

I have to go to Roanoke on Tuesday, I was thinking about looking up any yarn shops that might be in the area. I'd like to see if they have any patterns that I'd like to have. I'm thinking about making a really skinny scarf and am thinking I'll go to Mosaic and buy the yarn there since it won't take very much, and I'll need a thinner type than I can get at Michael's or Wal-mart. I just wish I had more money. There never seems to be enough. Isn't that always the way tho.

Nice Day

Today is a good day. I'm actually feeling ok. Went to the thrift store this morning looking for stuff to use in my art work but struck out. Did find a rug for my kitchen, a couple of VCR tapes, and a shirt. Isn't that always the way, you end up with a bunch of stuff you didn't plan on buying. Oh well.

The dog is actually behaving herself right now. That's a nice change. She's 16 years old and in her senility she barks a lot at pretty much nothing at all. She stands there in front of me look for all the world like there is something I should be doing to make her happy. But for the life of me I can't figure out what it is, And so it goes. But I don't know what I'd do without her. She's my constant companion. She's a beagle cocker mix and quite cute.

My sweaters are coming along nicely, hopefully they will be finished by Christmas. I ordered the Crochet Dude book so I can have some patterns for the men on my list. I just need to crochet faster. And so now I'm off to do just that. Later.

Mags

I saw that issue of Juxtapox and it really was great. I especially liked the article on Polly Morgan. It makes me want to go out today and do some bargain hunting for found objects.

Two new Mags

Bought two great new mags today. Juxtapoz Art and Culture Magazine, and Cloth * Paper Scissors Collage Mixed Media Magazine. Both of them Rock. They've given me tons of great new ideas for my artwork. They not only work with paper but also fabric and found objects. There's a great article about Monica Canilao. Seriously, if you can find these mags at your local bookstore they're worth the price.