It's official---

What if the Doctor told you to stop knitting??!! ARRGGHH!!

It's official...I have a *knitting injury*! Have you ever?? I thought about this on the way home from the doctors office...how will I explain the "over use" injury--you see it's the middle finger of my left hand **wink-wink**! My pinky finger also pains me but the most painful is the middle finger.

Here last week I was so worried about hurting myself in the Granny Bowl and the opposite happened! The symptoms have been coming on since cold weather..so I immediately thought it was arthritis...they have taken blood to check for arthritis, I've been told it's tendinitis from over use! I don't like taking drugs...and am afraid of over the counter medications like Aleve (naproxin sodium) because of their side effects and possible complications! My brother did some damage to his liver with Tylenol! I've been very upfront with my Doctor and he is very understanding of my reluctance to taking medications...

In my opinion, one medication brings on another and another and....I think you get the picture. I believe this is what finally took my FIL.

With 2 items left to finish by Christmas...what do I do? Suffer through the pain and finish or give it a rest and offer "IOU's" or the unfinished piece to the recipients?

There's always my spinning wheel!!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

1 MONTH AND COUNTING.....

Do I even need to remind you that there's only 1 month till Christmas?? Hey...the New Year is not far off either! And the weather here is BEAUTIFUL! Yesterday it was in the upper 60's--I'd actually be surprised if it didn't hit 70 degrees! So I took advantage of it...I sat out on the deck and took care of my neglected spinning! Since I had been so gung-ho to get my big Christmas presents finished...yes, I neglected my spinning wheel--I admit it.
All of the leaves are off the trees here so there are no more pretty fall colors...EXCEPT for-
my fiber!!!



MiniMe even enjoyed being outside!




This is called "Firestorm" and it's one of David Simpson's colorways...it's 80% Merino and 20% Silk--a true DREAM to spin! Now if you go to his website he doesn't have these colorways listed on there but you can email him for info (be sure and put something about fiber in the subject line--he gets a lot of junk). A lot of his colors are "limited edition"--he does all the dyeing himself...he's a color genius!
I don't know what it's going to be yet...I just enjoy spinning, and my fingers relieved that I'm doing something else!


And...while outside spinning I had little visitors! I filled the birdfeeders for the first time--

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

FO Friday...

One month-one day....and counting!
and...

I have another Christmas Present finished!!

Sorry..it's hanging a little crooked--

NOW--I have a couple more pairs of socks to finish and my Christmas gift making is done! I can't really believe I've accomplished as much as I have...so I have to pat myself on the back.

Thanksgiving Day was a good one...I stuffed myself! Just a few things I'm thankful for are:
**My Family
**Good health
**All my Friends (Knitting/blogging buddies and others)
**Tony Romo (my Cowboys won yesterday)
There are so many to list...

Other happenings of the day were--
Granny Bowl 2006
Well...we didn't have all the players we had before, so this years game consisted of my 'almost 5' year old niece playing...with her own set of rules, which we had to follow! It was fun...no one got hurt!
Here's this years pic--

I know...I know--I look '3 sheets in the wind' but hubby didn't take a second picture!

Speaking of the 'almost 5 year old' niece...


When she sees a camera...the *hamming* begins! Model material??










I can't wait to give her her Christmas present...I had my sock knitting with me yesterday, and the question came again--"Aunt Robin, will you teach me to knit?" Be still my heart...When we were in Asheville I found the knitting kit I was looking for!





And...the new addition to the family--Rosalita aka Miss Rosie!

We all had fun playing with her including Sunshine...the kitten!
**Postscript--after Sangeeta's comment I thought I should clarify that Miss Rosie is my Aunts new puppy...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I want to wish all my blogging pals a VERY Happy Thanksgiving, now I know there are many who visit who are from other countries (love my new NeoWorx counter) who don't celebrate this particular holiday...but I ask you to take a moment, think about all the things in your life special to you and just give thanks! In a nutshell that's what this holiday is all about...beside gorging yourself to the point you are so miserable all you want to do is throw-up!
If you're traveling on the highways this holiday...PLEASE be careful!



Here are a couple of funnies for you...

Many of our men folk trapse out into the woods every Thanksgiving morning to find that bird to be served for dinner---Now I know Turkeys can be a crafty creature...but how about this one?


If 'ole Ben Franklin had his way back in 1778 what would we be eating today??




Okay...so I have a twisted sense of humor...

how about this dancing turkey?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Have you had yours??

Today was my day...Have you scheduled yours yet??

Hibernation and Knitting....

As the weather changes...and here it's been flip-flopping back and forth so much we're all confused as to what season we are in.


When it turns really cold, Mr. Ace goes to the "winter bed" (he has 2 beds--and I think Santa is looking at yet another for him) for a little hibernation...and let me tell you this cat can snore! He will curl up so tight inside the bed you can't tell heads from tails and commence snoring! I'm thinking of taping it for posterity! He has many sleeping positions...sometime he likes to sleep on the edge causing the bed to heel like a sail boat...


Here's yet another sleeping position...usually he wakes when I snap a picture of him, he was obviously very asleep in this one. He never moved a muscle!

Hey I have another FO----

What is it?????

One advantage to having multiple projects going at one time is the "FO rate"! It almost feels like instant gratification! I think I've mentioned this before but I tend to have the "mindless" knitting...you know the things you can do while talking with friends, traveling or when you're brain is just so fried with a weeks worth of CRAP! Then I have the intermediate project...something I can do with the TV going...some thinking required. Lastly I have the "Don't Talk To Me Right Now" work...constant concentration necessary the only thing I can have in the room is music, preferably something soothing...that way if I have to frog it I won't tear it to shreds!!!

So...have you made your guess?

TaDa!!!!

Another Christmas present finished...The Flower Basket Shawl!! Okay, JH...the test is complete...you can do this one!! It only took me 2 weeks!

I made this one on the smaller scale of the Swallowtail Shawl because I'm not sure that my step-daughter would wear a larger one...if she likes this one and says she likes them larger...then that gives me another gift to make in the future! She and advisor for Lia Sophia jewelry, which by the way is beautiful (if you live in the Richmond, VA area and would be interested in hosting a show email me--I know, I know but hey, I'm just an enabler all the way around), and I thought that she could use a smaller shawl to feature a pin.

The only other MAJOR gift I have to finish is my Mom's sweater...and I've just started the sleeve caps!! WahHoo!! A few other smaller things that I can finish in no time...which brings me to my next topic---"Granny Bowl 2006"! I've gotten some great comments about the name of our annual game...there was no question as to what we would call the game--It just seemed natural to call it that! My concern is that I need to get my knitting done prior to the game...if I hurt my hands in any way...there goes Christmas! I already struggle with carpal tunnel and arthritis (when it's cold). I'll be like the episode of Seinfeld when George became a hand model! Can you picture me on the field---"Watch the hands-Watch the hands!" My brother will laugh me off the field!

Well...I'd better get back to the knitting...

Hey, if you get a chance to over to Mary's blog and read about her Knitters Retreat trip! Details-Details...she's got them all!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Plans are being made...

I don't know how many of you will find this interesting but I must blog about "Granny Bowl 2006"...I know you are asking what the heck is that! No...it's not a huge bowl of buttery mashed potatoes...which in fact was awaiting us when we finished...Let me explain:



Every family gathering requires that some sport is to be played...Thanksgiving is football season--so we play golf! Are you kidding me...we play FOOTBALL! Plans are in the works but I am finding that the older I get the harder it is for me to play...not in ability---I get sore! The next day...and the day after that...and the day after that! We are supposed to play "tag" football...but in our family things get a little out of hand! And just like when we were kids my brother and I are opposing captains...choosing up our teams!



Last year we skipped our game because it was the first Thanksgiving without my Granny, the mood was to just sit and watch the games on the tube. It's hard to believe it's been 2 years without her...I do miss her VERY much! But she is in a better place now...



Here's a shot of the first--"Granny Bowl 2004"

Okay...so now you know what the "Granny Bowl" is! 1 week and counting...gotta get my game plan ready--and you probably think I'm kidding!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

A Quickie...

Just a quick post to let bloggers know about an Blogiversary celebration...

Go on over to My Secret Pal's blog and wish her a Happy one...and enter her Blogiversary contest while you're there...don't waste any time, the deadline is December 1st! I know that seems like a long time but take a good look at your calendars...it'll be here before you know it!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Here we are again....

and...

My pal Garfield and I have a message for everyone in blogland...

and to top if all off this is "Monday the 13th"!!!

No pics to post but...the knitting continues...

I'm more than halfway up both sleeves for my Mom's sweater, and on the Flower Basket Shawl and I haven't really touched the second of the pair of socks in my previous post. The way I figure knitting is like cooking--work on the things that will take the longest...leave the quickies for last!

I think I can finally start thinking of knitting for ME!

Dad started playing Santa at the mall on Friday! I've said it before and I'll say it again...that's just not right! I can remember as a child the fun began after Thanksgiving when we would go to the mall and watch Santa come in on a helicopter, fire truck, or some other special means of transportation...

But then again...let me remind you...there's just under 6 weeks till the BIG day! Hey--Walmart has changed their views on being "politically correct"...finally! MERRY CHRISTMAS...though seems so strange to be saying that now...hey, I was out in the stores today--listening to all the Christmas music...seeing all the decorations including Santa (not Dad), it's hard not to say it, but then again there's 1 month, 1 week and 5 days till Christmas!

Well...this is taking time from my knitting--Oh...and Thanks for all the comments about the Durrow. I hope Chase likes it as much as everyone else who's seen it!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Veteran's Day 2006

With every passing year since 9/11 this day becomes more and more meaningful...I cannot begin to know what the wives, husbands and children left behind are feeling. BUT I do honor our fighting men & women....AND those left behind to hold up all the functions of daily life.


A couple of years ago we visited our Nation's Capitol for Thanksgiving, hubby took this picture...


I don't know if you've been to Jean's blog in the past couple of days...please visit her, you won't be sorry. I was brought to tears. GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS...AND THEIR FAMILIES!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

If you've ever wondered about my closing phrase--remember in the 60's & 70's the phrase "Keep On Truckin'"? Look for my new button...

FO's & WIP's--as promised...

It's always a challenge to decide which to post first....FO's or WIP's?!?


So...I'll save the best for last!

If you've been reading you know I'm busy working on Christmas...I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel! The fact I started in June has relieved the pressure...immensely!!




For my Mom I'm making the Bristow from Knitty.

I've cast on the sleeves, notice the plural--I've always knit both sleeves at the same time...like doing the back of a sweater that's just plain stockinette, I hate doing the sleeves! BUT--on this sweater there's a cable pattern which makes it go faster. In addition, doing both sleeves at the same time you are assured they will be the same! Unless you are knitting for someone who has one arm longer than the other...which I used to have a customer I sewed for who had such an issue.





Anyway...I've blocked the fronts & back (I'm only showing the fronts because they are so pretty with the cables). I have made a couple of changes to the pattern...one intentional, the other my "Amish Mistake"! Mom and I are both shaped just alike...no "hourglass" to our midsection! So I took out the side shaping. The other I'm not going to tell you...because if you can't pick it out, no one needs to know about it, except for me!

I love this yarn and the color...KnitPicks Wool of the Andes--color-Arctic Pool Heather.


AND...

More...socks!!

Drum roll please.....








Chase's sweater...the Durrow





The other thing I hate doing is...sewing the pieces together, now you'd think that a seamstress would be okay with this...

Hubby was my mannequin to make sure it's in the "ballpark" on the size. He even liked it!




Check out the detail on the sleeves...cool huh?


This also is KnitPicks---Merino! And it's so soft!! I like using KnitPicks for the value when making gifts...their yarn is a quality yarn, the only problem I have is I can't "touch & feel" before I buy! So far I've been lucky on my yarn choices including color! This looks more red but it's actually a darker red, in fact it's called "cranberry".

I buy up the other yarns....for ME!! So after all my Christmas knitting is complete I can start all those projects!!

The one other item on the needles is the Flower Basket Shawl for my step-daughter...pics to come later!


Okay...so I guess I've spent enough time on this machine...time to get knitting!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Manic Monday....

Because Mondays can be so...so...BLAH!

Here's something pretty to look at....I love documenting my flowers as they bloom, just another weird fact about...moi!

We call this the Pop Cactus, hubby's grandfather aka Pop, was a master gardener...he was well known for his Mums but this is a start given to me from his Christmas Cactus he started back in the 60's...MIL has the original.

On the Knitting front--pictures to come of FO's and WIP's--

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

AAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!

Okay...no pics...because--
I FROGGED IT!

Last week I started the Swallow Tail Shawl , from the IK Fall 2006 issue, as a Christmas gift for my step-daughter, this morning...it's a fresh ball of yarn!
There is a KAL out there...and there are knitters finishing there shawls and starting 2nd and maybe even 3rd shawl...and then I read about those having similar problems to what I was having. Only I think my problems were much worse! I was up till midnight working up from the lifeline for the 3rd time when I decided I needed a fresh brain to work on it any further.
So this morning...I started again--same results...almost...
I pulled out the lifeline and frogged the whole thing!

JH was using me as the "test knitter" for this project, she's never attempted lace before, I have but this one has gotten to me...so JH I don't think this is the one you want to do for your first lace project, unless you feel challenged to "beat me"!

Now I've started the Flower Basket Shawl (.pdf file), for one it doesn't have those "nupps" (k1, yo, k1, yo, k1 all in same stitch--then on the next row you have to purl 5 together). Purling 5 stitches together is a bitch! But I had other problems the pattern was not working out across the rows...I counted, counted and re-counted! Damned if I know what the problem was!

I WILL NOT LET THIS PATTERN GET THE BEST OF ME...I just don't have time to work on it so close to Christmas.

Okay...enough bitching for now...gotta get back to my knitting! Do you realize Christmas is right around the corner?? YIKES!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

PS-Congratulations to Bobbi for guessing correctly that my hat says---"Cherokee"--Watch your mailbox for a little something!

Come on...are you "Chicken"?!

Isn't anyone going to guess what the hat says??

If you're asking "what hat" check out the last post...

We have a winner...

Are you ready? I wanted my contest to be a bit different...I guess it was too much or too different. I didn't get as many entries as I thought, so I changed the rules this afternoon and put all the entries in the hat!

This is the hat...can you guess what it says? Come on give it a try!!

This is all the entries I received...pitiful huh? Frankly it's a little embarassing...in judging the numbers I get on my counter I thought I would have had more. Next time I'll try something else. Speaking of counters, I don't know if you've noticed the new counter I've found but it's really cool...I can see what country is viewing my blog! I'm probably going to have to pay for it after the trial period...but I LIKE IT!!

Oh...I'm babbling on--and you are waiting on something---

And the winner is.....










Mary...email me your address and I'll snail mail you your goodies! Thanks for all those who took the time to enter, I'm sorry you all couldn't be winners...I'm not going to post a picture of the prize, you'll have to visit her blog to see what she gets!

It was very nice to read the answer to my last question...you are all very flattering! I can't say enough how much having a blog has enriched my life with new friends, many of whom I don't even know what they look like...I like to see what everyone else is working on, what's going on in your lives and the pets! The pets are so much fun to read about and many of them have their own blog personality!

Thanks again to EVERYONE who stops by my blog...hey, leave a comment--you don't need a blogger account to leave one!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!!

Samhain....aka....Halloween!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!


Here's hoping you all get "treats" and no "tricks"!

I know she'll get me this Thursday at KnitNight but...go on over and wish Tanya a Happy Birthday....she's 29...again! Tell her a little "Birdie" told you!

Also I want to send out a Happy 50th B-day to Bill (no blog....he don't even own a computer--can you believe that?)

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!

Stolen--MeMe!

1. FIRST NAME? Robin
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? a couple of weeks ago...but tomorrow looks like another coming!
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes, when I take my time and write neatly!
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? roast beef
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Probably!
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? TaDa...this is it!
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No way!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Anything nutty & crunchy
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not always
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Any.....I LOVE icecream!!!!
14. SHOE SIZE? US 7 1/2
15. RED OR PINK?Red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Too fat
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My Granny & Grandaddy
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? No
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? My Dallas Cowboy Sweatshirt, sweatpants & no socks
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? M&M's (I know that doesn't help #16)
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? and watching the Dallas Cowboys play (I'll pay more attention when I finish this)
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Blue
23. FAVORITE SMELL?Cookies baking (yet again...that doesn't help #16...because I'm going to eat them)
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?Mom
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? eyes--There's honesty in the eyes
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? YES!!!!! (As she put it...she's my Soul Sister)
27. FAVORITE DRINK? Dr. Pepper (diet prefered)
28. FAVORITE SPORT Do I have to pick just one? ummmmm--it's a toss up between baseball & football
29. EYE COLOR? Green
30. HAT SIZE? 7 3/8...yes, I have a big head for a woman--it runs in the family! Bigheaded Scots I guess??!
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No
32. FAVORITE FOOD? Food!!
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? happy endings
34.???missing???
35. SUMMER OR WINTER?I really like aspects of both..at least for a while then I'm ready for the next season!
36. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Ice cream
38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I copied this
39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? N/A
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Dragonfly in Amber
41.WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? The surrender scene at Appomattox
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? College Football--Tennessee @ South Carolina
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? either birds chirping or the sound of a gentle stream
44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles
45. THE FURTHEST YOU HaVE BEEN FROM HOME? San Diego, CA
46. WHAT IS YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Seamstress--hand crafts
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Roanoke, VA
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? No one, I copied it from Shona!

So...whether you were interested or not...now you know a little more about me!

Keep on Knittin' and Spinnin'!!

Guess what's just around the corner?!!

Christmas....well, I've been thinking about it for the past 3 months or so! So I changed my ticker! If nothing else as a personal reminder as to..."Crunch Time"!
I only have 3 items on the needles (one of which is...ugh...lace) to finish and another 3 to begin!

I think I can...I think I can...

Tomorrow is my baby's birthday...She'll be 19! I do spend a lot of the day reflecting and enjoying the memories...times were tough back then, but she is worth it!

"Coop Trivia" hint...all the answers are all right here on this blog...you just have to go back and read a little! Good Luck...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Happy 1st Blogiversary!!!

Blogging…something I never imagined I’d ever do!

13 months ago I had no idea what it was! I now aspire to be like Yarn Harlot…have hundreds of comments—and I know of a couple of you who DON’T comment directly on the blog….nc & jh!--wink-wink-nudge-nudge!

It’s always fun reading the comments I do get—I haven’t had any negative ones yet, so either those negative ones keep on clicking or you guys “REALLY LIKE ME”! I know a lot of the crap I blog about are either rants (aka cluckin’) or boring history stuff to most…but you keep coming back to read what’s going on in “The Coop”!
And now another FIRST...my first blog contest!
I’ve met a lot of people and made new friends because of my blog…but I do wonder how long people have been reading!
So….email me your answers at spinnerknitter at aol dot com and put in the subject line Blog Trivia or something to that effect.

Blogiversary Quiz---Knittin’ Coop Trivia

1-Okay…I won’t ask you to name all my hobbies so—What hobby do Jack and I both participate in? And the name of my persona?

2-Name 3 knitted items I made as Christmas gifts last year.

3-Who “is” my father?

4-For what reason do I refuse to buy from a yarn shop?

5-Name 2 of my favorite sports teams. And in what sport was my family involved in for so long?

6-Can you name my children?

7-What FO won me the gold medal?

8-What item had I protested against making and when did I finish them?

9-Where is my favorite backdrop for photographing my projects, purchases and FO’s?

10-Who taught me my “craft”?

11-Who was the first “blogging buddy” I met, and name her blog?

12-Where did I find the most magnificent 19th century barn loom on display?

This last question is going to generate random answers…I only ask it out of curiosity?

What do you find most interesting about me and/or my blog?

The tiebreaker will be putting the names of those who have the most correct answers into the hat and hubby will draw the winner!

Good Luck….and Thanks for coming back again and again!

Oh--I guess I should put a time limit...so this will run through Samhain/Halloween!

I know he’ll never see this…but Happy Birthday to my B-I-L Jerry!!

Keep on Knittin’ & Spinnin’

You Know Vacation Is Over When.....

You know your vacation is over when you arrive back to work to a desk that looks like this....


Actually this was after I unpacked the boxes!

Job security??? Reality BITES!



First thing I did when I got home was picked up my knitting...thinking--"gotta unwind...gotta unwind!"

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!