It's a new blog ~

Thank you for visitng.....please see me at my new site: Here

Time flies when you're having fun ~

16 years - wow.
Happy Anniversary

Yes, we were babies when we met... I was just 15, but boy did I think he was spiffy (and still do!). So funny, handsome, smart, adoring and just completely wonderful. I am one fortunate girl to call him my Mr. Plucky.

Because Mr. Plucky is so very swell, we are going to Chicago for 4 days and I get to do all the yarn shop hopping I want... any suggestions? Have any of you been to Knit 1? Nina is a darling shop, actually more like a boutique. He will be at the museum (I have promised to go with him the planetarium) and I will be yucking it up at the yarn shops.

Oh, and next posting there will be photos of the fun little baby sock (free pattern from Interweave) I am knitting out of Yarntini "Vintage" in the merino tencel blend (to match the hat from a few days ago) - they are so fun.

Make it better ~

What causes these unseemly holes? I want to make it stop... I thought I could live with the holes, but I just can't. So, say goodbye to the sock. It will be frogged as soon as I am done typing. Any suggestions? Please tell me you have suggestions... I have some insanely yummy Yarntini in Cherry Cordial and Vintage that I would use to make anklets - for me! However, until I know how to get rid of the offending holes, I won't touch it! If you have not visited Jessie and seen her lovely yarn, you must!

Speaking of musts - even though I have spring fever like no other, I am a little sad that the days of wearing cuddly scarves is numbered for the season. So I must find some sort of light weight spring scarf pattern..... off to look.

My girl ~

15

High School

Driver's Training

Summer Job

My girl ("S") - they grow up so fast....

That Went Well ~

The destashing sale on eBay that is. I think I will do it again (here is "again"). There is nothing like a good cleaning/organizing kick to make you feel like things are in order.

In other news, I have started on Flair - using some stash yarn (I feel so very responsible and goal oriented typing that). Laines du Nord Dolly Maxi in grey from Pure Knits quite a while ago on sale for $3.00 - what a deal! Just imagine my delight when I realized I had enough for Flair. If all goes well and I love the pattern like I think I will, I may knit one up in a nice cotton too.

I won't post a photo of the progress on Flair just yet, I am still in the boring stage. More to come though. And I can't wait to look through jars and jars of buttons for something quirky and fun. This sweater is going to be all about the buttons.

On the completed knits (or FO's) front, this is all that I completed this weekend:

Yes, your eyes do not deceive you. Another baby hat. Boy was this an easy peasey one.

Specs:

Yarn: Yarntini in Vintage (merino tencel blend)

Needles: Size 3 (US)

Little bit of knit, little purl, yada yada. It is so soft and pretty. Another down, so many to go. The next one is going to be a little kickier though - need to mix it up a bit.

Goals ~ And the Sheep Heap

Need goals. Distractions killing me.

Spring fever/Spring cold/Spring cleaning/Spinning/Yarn/Knitting/Blogging.... See what I mean? Distractions! And this is just in the knitting part of my world. What's the cure?

Goals. Goals are good. Goals are necessary. Goals keep you focused. So, that's what I am going to do - FOCUS on the goals and post them here so as to keep me on task.

Not necessarily in this order.....

1. Knit more baby hats (still have 7 left!) - (Help accomplish goal #3) - Yarntini Vintage colorway in the merino tencel blend. This is going to be a beret for baby girl #5...yet to be named. This yarn is just perfect for baby knits! Machine washable and so soft and the color!

2. Chevron Scarf for me - aren't they fun? I especially like this little lovely being knit by Cat Duck at Domesticat. Later on I will post several options and put it up for a vote. (Again, helps accomplish goal #3).

3. Continue destashing.... Mr. Plucky is now referring to the stash as "the sheep heap." Even though I commandeered the etagere from the front room (use to have hats, mittens, umbrellas, etc. in it) and tried to artfully arrange some of my yarn and make it look like decoration or even art, if you will, but it continues to nag at me that I have ziplocs upon ziplocs upon.... well, you know. But, look how pretty. (Don't pay any attention to the lack of trim. We recently put new floors down but have yet to put the trim up. See what I mean? Need to focus).

4. Learn to spin - See Friday's post.

5. Knit Flair - but, what color??? Seriously, any help would be greatly appreciated. Not into the pastel thing. I am kind of leaning towards either Indigo, Fern, Mediterranean Blue (kind of kicky for spring/summer) or Graphite, then there is always Espresso.

I have to go focus now.

The Plucky Knitter Is Destashing!!!!

Ok, it has been brought to my attention that, just maybe, I need to focus and destash a bit... (that way I can purchase more yarn with a completely clean conscience!).

I have been dutifully listing lovely yarns on eBay this afternoon and have provided a link if you are interested. If not, just ignore this post all together. And, if any of my blogging friends (just drop me a note telling me you saw the auctions because of the blog) win the auction, I will throw in shipping for free!

In case you are curious, here is a sample of what is currently listed:

Jade Sapphire 2-Ply Cashmere, All Things Heather, Koigu, Socks That Rock, Vesper, sKnitches, Twisted Fiber Arts, Sweet Georgia, etc. And I will be listing more over the next several days.

Have a great Sunday....

S.O.S to All You Spinners ~

I know I said I wanted to learn to spin, but this is just silly!

So, a week or so ago I ordered, what I thought was hand spun yarn from Natasha at Luxe on etsy.... well, I was wrong - very, very wrong. Today, I received this in the mail. While it is very lovely, I have no earthly idea what to do with it. HELP.

Do I need:

• Spindle
• Wheel
• Someone to make something out of this for me?
• How much yarn will this make?

Seriously, my mind is just reeling....

***edited to add*** - This acquisition of spinning fiber is completely my fault - Natasha did nothing but send me some fibery goodness. I can totally see the potential, just don't know how to get "there".

The Cutest Thing Ever ~

Well, I mean it is the cutest thing I have ever knit. Please excuse the iffy photo - I am still playing with my macro setting. This little bit of adorable is a baby sock knit from Vesper sock yarn in the "Love Stinks" colorway. It is just a prototype (a combination of three different patterns) but so far is turning out quite well. When complete I will post a better picture.


Here is yet another contribution to the seemingly endless stream of babies being born this year - a "boyish"version of the cotton stria hat from Itty Bitty Hats - seriously! These hats are addictive. I have been making so many though that I may have to open an etsy shop to sell the surplus!

Dizzy ~

Dizzy with ideas that is......

What has gotten my attention you ask? I am just bowled over and fascinated with the gorgeous handspun yarn creations that I see people posting on their blogs and etsy. Therefore - Must. Learn. To. Spin.

For instance - the talented Natasha with her Luxe yarns (she is whipping up something for me as I type this - will post about it at a later date). Then there is FeltStudioUK - purchased the yarn from the very helpful Cam at The Urban Knit - and made the scarf shown.

I love this scarf! So warm, light weight, and cuddly. Took me all of about two hours last Friday evening while watching a movie with Mr. Plucky (a.k.a. Bob) and I have hardly taken it off since then. 89 yards knit stockinette with a few garter stitches thrown in on size 19 needles. Funny how something so completely simple can turn into something you just love and use all the time. So, goals for this Spring (all the while knitting baby hats and socks):

• Get spindle (suggestions welcome)
• Perhaps buy book (again, suggestions?, anyone?)
• Practice, practice, practice

Now, I leave you with one of my favorite pictures of my boy, Sammy. My Plucky girl took this, she has a great eye - that daughter of mine.