Valentine's Day Knitting

I was the co-host of the 2010 Ravelry Valentine Swap this year. I'd never hosted a Ravelry swap before and it was lots of fun. We had 40 terrific swappers. This is what I made for my spoilee.

.

The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspires others in the blog world. I was lucky enough to be nominated by Miss Aine. Isn't she so sweet. She designs and knits the cutest stuff. Her sewing is very beautiful also.

The rules for accepting the Sunshine award
- Put the logo on your blog or within your post
- Pass the award onto 12 bloggers
- Link the nominees within your post
- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
- Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

There are so many blogs that I enjoy reading I'm always terrible at choosing so I'm nominating everyone who faithfully reads my blog!!! You always being Sunshine to my world.

Bob #2

Kevin's friend Odette asked for a "Bob" like Kevin's. That yarn is long gone but here's Bob #2.

These are the last hats for awhile, or so I hope. They're for Dona's grand kids. You know kids, the hats HAD TO BE the same and they requested red.



And for Dona, she loves pink and hearts so when I found the pattern I thought it would be something fun to knit.

Shawl update

I finished it.
I didn't like it.
I frogged it.

Off to find a new project!!

What's a blog post without a hat in it

Justin wanted a hat like his big brothers so of course I had to make one. Isn't the vase a lovely way to show off a hat? I need to buy one of those "heads."


OTN - I'm currently in a KAL on Ravelry for this shawl. This is my WIP. It's quite a nice change from knitting a hat.

Need a beanie?

Apparently Kevin's friends do. Every time I finish one, another friend asks for one. Kevin's pretty proud of the fact that they all want knitted beanies by his mommy. :-)

Marlene's Mitts

Marlene asked for a pair of mitts to match her scarf and she wanted the same pattern that I made Kathy. I cut the pattern down by 1/3 because Marlene has very small hands. She says they fit perfectly. YAY!!!

Surprise for Kathy

I had this beautiful yarn made from 100% baby alpaca but I wasn't sure what to do with it. I then realized that it was the absolute perfect color for a gift for Kathy. I love the way they came out. Merry Christmas Kathy!!!

"Mom, Disneyland ate my hat"

Kevin put his hat in the front ride-pouch while riding Indiana Jones and forgot to get it out when the ride was over. He loved that hat and asked for a replacement.

His friend Laura liked Breezy's yellow hat so much that she asked for it's fraternal twin in black.

Christmas for Janet

I finished these over Labor Day weekend but I think that Janet reads my blog so I couldn't post until I knew she'd opened them. She LOVED this pattern and I nonchalantly asked her what colors she'd do them in if she knitted them. I also knew she'd not have time between then and Christmas so they're a gift from me. Months later I decided she might want a matching hat so here's the set.


She lives in Tennessee so I also sent this neck warmer as part of her Christmas gift. It came out a bit longer than I wanted after it was blocked but I'm hoping that just keeps her warmer during the winter.


She opened it all this morning and says she may not take the mitts off for weeks. Now THAT'S knitting appreciation. :-)

Breezy's Yellow Hat

Kevin's friend Breezy requested a yellow lacy hat. I rarely knit with yellow but there's something happy about knitting with that color.

Crystal's Kitty Ear Hat

Kevin’s friend Crystal wanted the same hat as Kevin but instead of the top tassel she wanted kitty ears. I improvised the ears and think it came out pretty decent.

Scarf for me

I've probably knit easily one hundred of scarves. Out of all those scarves I have never knit one for myself but our weather doesn't tend to lend itself much to scarves.

After I knit Marlene's red one I fell in love with the color and decided that I needed one in red also. I had to decide on what kind of yarn but there was no hesitation in my yarn choice, Malabrigo in Ravelry Red. The color in the finished photo is not correct but the picture of it on my table is very close to the color. What a pleasure to have around my neck. I might even make myself another scarf someday.

Need a Christmas Gift?

Here are some good places to look:

Mona's Handspun

Susan's KNITSnTHINGS

Wilma's MontanaNana Designs

Sallee's Bags

Dawn's Soap/Lotion Site

Christmas for Dona

Dona, if you're reading my blog before Christmas Eve, close it now!!

I don't think she tends to read my blog unless I specifically ask her to look at something but just in case I'll put the picture lower.

Dona asked for a Spring Shawl earlier this year and I had a really hard time figuring out which pattern to use for her. It took awhile but I found this one and knew she'd like it in light blue. Here it is, modeled by my 13 year old son.

I love when my Christmas knitting is coming to a close. I have two other posts waiting to be published after the giftees open their things.

Marlene's 2009 Scarf

Happy 2009 Scarf Marlene!!

Why do reds and purples not show up correctly with my camera. The scarf is more of a true red not orangy. I'm sure Marlene will like it. The pattern was very very easy to memorize.

Word Fun

My friend Kathy sent me to this site to play around. I put my blog in and this is what it spit coughed out. I tried it with family names and a couple of random characteristics and came up with this. Too fun.

Hats, hats, hats

Dona asked for a dishtowel

Feather & Fan Pattern
Details in Ravelry

Yarn Giveaway on Mona's Blog

Mona's giving away a beautiful skein of her handspun yarn. Click here for details.

(picture stolen from Mona's blog)

It's finished!!!

The middle section is wrong. I found out at the end sections that because I was left-handed I had to undo it and do them differently than the pattern said………. the same was true for the middle but I didn’t realize that until I knew that I messed up at the end. I just wasn’t looking closely enough at it.

I love it and no one but another girasol knitter will know that I messed up.

I measured it and it’s just over 6.5 feet in diameter…………. it’s sooooooo perfect!!!!

Girasol Update

I couldn't get the border right on the girasol and so after searching other borders I opted for the Hemlock Ring border. I'm hoping to finish it today and block it this week.

Invasion

Three more aliens have come for a visit on their way to their new homes. They'll be leaving tomorrow but they had a nice visit with their cousins.

Aliens and Hats

Justin already had the green alien. Kevin asked for a yellow one for a friend so I made her one. Then I decided I wanted a bigger one and used the thickest yarn I had. Here's the family before the yellow one went to his new home.

A friend needs chemo caps. :-(

Help me win a pair of UGG boots please!!

I've been invited to participate in a contest. If I can get 40 people to click on this link, I will win a pair of Ugg boots. I doubt that 40 people read my blog but I can hope. I'm also not entirely sure how this lets them see that it came from me but this is the reply I recieved from the lady who invited me:

When someone clicks that link it has a little code (the xref=arielzoe.blog) part which records all visitors that visit from your link.
If these visitors continue to enter it stores the entrant details under your code as well.. A bit confusing I know but basically I end up seeing a report with entrant numbers every day..

Please click here to help me win. Thanks!!!

BOO!!!!!

What a fun fun knit!! The pattern can be found here. Thanks Anita!!
Happy Early Halloween!!

More Chemo Caps

These are for Judi's mom. She just started chemo. :-(

Chemo Caps

My friend Susan is knitting chemo caps for the Cancer Awareness Center in Alamogordo, NM. I thought I'd help her out a bit.

Yarn Giveaway

My friend Mona is hosting her first contest. Take a look at her blog and enter to win this skein of her beautiful hand dyed and spun yarn.

Nut Cup (or is it for M&M's)

One of my favorite designers, Anita Wheeless, was looking for test knitters and I volunteered. She had several items she needed tested but I asked for something easy. She assigned me a nut cup. I'd never been a test knitter before and this was very fun to knit. Technically it is a nut cup but when I test knit it, it was around Valentine's Day and the pink and white M&M's were plentiful. The pattern isn't ready for publication yet but keep an eye on her Ravelry page or blog. She did say that I could post it on Ravelry and my blog. If you like it, please let Anita know.

Thanks Anita!!!!

Linda's Bottle Sleeve

My friend Linda was constantly drinking someone else's water when she was exercising at Curves. I improvised this bottle sleeve so that she'd know which water was hers.

Angels vs Oakland

I'm not a big sports fan but a friend of mine has season tickets to the Angels games so we tend to go once a year. One thing about baseball, I understand the game. We had a great time!!

Final score:
Angels 11 - Athletics 7

Girasoling along

I just finished the second repeat of Chart E. 30 more rows to go and then the border. It's not easy taking a picture of it at this point. I'm still loving knitting it.

When I started there were 590 Girasol projects on Ravelry. I checked Ravelry as I was posting this and the count is up to 750. WOW!!

Girasol Update

I'm on the last row of Chart D. 640 stitches on the needles. I just counted and I have 47 rows to go not counting the border. I can't even really guess at the diameter at this point, somewhere around 40" unblocked.

Round Dishcloth

I think this is the largest dishcloth I've ever made, 11.25". Isn't it so pretty. You can find the pattern here.

Jumping on the Girasol bandwagon

WIP

I fell in love with this pattern as soon as I saw it. And really, how can anything designed by Jared Flood be bad. Knitting his version of the Hemlock Ring blanket was probably one of my all time favorite knitted things.

I did need a little convincing to start it and once I decided to knit it I labored over which yarn to use. Happily though, I found the yarn I wanted - Berroco Ultra Alpaca / Lavender Mix - thanks to my friend Kathy. It also helps to have five online knitting friends that are knitting along with me.

Point of interest:
Including mine there are 590 of them being knit or have been knit on Ravelry.
I wonder how many there will be when I finish mine.

Sending some Sunshine for a swap

These two dishcloths were for this round of the Ravelry Sunshine Envelope Swap. The front one is this pattern and the back one is a simple basketweave.

Weird Knitting Of The Day

Why you ask? The rubber on our fridge handle started to rip. I looked on on the Sears parts department web site it would be over $200 to repair it. Well, not for one but we'd need two if I wanted them to match. The freezer one is fine but is starting to look worn. My hubby asked if I could knit a cover for it. So I did. Fridge Handle Cozy!!!

More Dishcloths

I joined the Cloth & Soap Swap on Ravelry. It's an easy swap, just one dishcloth and a bar of soap. Of course I can add goodies if I choose. These are the two dishcloths I sent. The first is a ballband, because they're pretty and easy. I was going to reverse the colors but then went searching for another two-colored cloth. This is the pattern I found. I hope she likes her swap envelope.

An Alien For Justin

I saw this little guy and showed him to my son. He wanted one right away. What a great use for a little bit of yarn!! Pattern can be found here.

Weekend Knitting

My friend Kathy is visiting from Oregon for her DIL's baby shower this weekend. I'm having lunch with her tomorrow and thought I'd knit up something quickly for her impending granddaughter.

Two bibs and two washcloths should do it.

Do you ever wonder.........

.............who reads your blog but doesn't comment? I do. I have a "Live Traffic Feed" on it and sometimes I take a look. This is who has looked at my blog for the last 9 days. I can figure out maybe 50% of the people but the rest are a mystery. Ireland? Someone in Ireland reads my blog? That's just amazing to me!!!

Los Angeles, California landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

15:49:56 -- 6 minutes ago

Harrisburg, South Dakota landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

15:48:44 -- 7 minutes ago

Emeryville, California landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/2009/06/baby-blankie-for-renee....

15:46:15 -- 10 minutes ago

Dublin landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

12:13:16 -- 3 hours 43 mins ago

Roanoke, Virginia landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/2009/06/shawl-that-jazz.html

11:26:48 -- 4 hours 29 mins ago

West Milford, New Jersey landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

10:44:47 -- 5 hours 11 mins ago

Palmdale, California landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/2009/07/i-won-blog-award.html

07:48:44 -- 8 hours 7 mins ago

Los Angeles, California landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/2009/07/i-won-blog-award.html

06:58:12 -- 8 hours 58 mins ago

Houston, Texas landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/2009/07/i-won-blog-award.html

06:54:26 -- 9 hours 2 mins ago

Los Angeles, California landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

06:16:33 -- 9 hours 39 mins ago

Charlotte, North Carolina arrived on an unknown landing page.

05:57:00 -- 9 hours 59 mins ago

Wonder Lake, Illinois landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/2009/06/shawl-that-jazz.html

05:54:53 -- 10 hours 1 min ago

Los Angeles, California landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

14:11:14 -- 1 day 1 hour ago

Los Angeles, California landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

07:25:14 -- 1 day 8 hours ago

Franklin, Massachusetts landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

12:57:02 -- 2 days 2 hours ago

Mougins, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

12:05:48 -- 2 days 3 hours ago

Houston, Texas landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/2008/02/pincushion-cupcake.html

06:59:21 -- 2 days 8 hours ago

Los Angeles, California landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

06:51:47 -- 2 days 9 hours ago

Ontario, California landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

10:57:27 -- 3 days 4 hours ago

Boston, Massachusetts landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

17:06:15 -- 3 days 22 hours ago

Zürich, Zurich landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

08:28:11 -- 4 days 7 hours ago

Maineville, Ohio arrived on an unknown landing page.

00:26:10 -- 4 days 15 hours ago

Haifa, Hefa landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

23:53:51 -- 5 days 16 hours ago

North Port, Florida landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

20:01:57 -- 5 days 19 hours ago

West Milford, New Jersey landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

18:22:38 -- 5 days 21 hours ago

Reedley, California landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

14:02:44 -- 6 days 1 hour ago

Faulkton, South Dakota arrived on an unknown landing page.

12:17:36 -- 6 days 3 hours ago

Faulkton, South Dakota landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

12:17:36 -- 6 days 3 hours ago

West Milford, New Jersey landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

16:45:45 -- 6 days 23 hours ago

West Milford, New Jersey landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

02:47:04 -- 7 days 13 hours ago

Dublin landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

12:44:22 -- 8 days 3 hours ago

Holly, Michigan landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/2009/06/shawl-that-jazz.html

07:58:28 -- 8 days 7 hours ago

Houston, Texas landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/2009/06/shawl-that-jazz.html

07:09:15 -- 8 days 8 hours ago

Miami, Florida landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

07:01:44 -- 8 days 8 hours ago

Los Angeles, California landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

06:45:50 -- 8 days 9 hours ago

East Hanover, New Jersey landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

06:35:17 -- 8 days 9 hours ago

Nashville, Tennessee landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

05:41:07 -- 8 days 10 hours ago

United States landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

23:51:53 -- 8 days 16 hours ago

Bay City, Michigan landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/2009/02/two-hearts-as-one.html

22:28:17 -- 8 days 17 hours ago

Albuquerque, New Mexico landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

22:27:34 -- 8 days 17 hours ago

Tucson, Arizona landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

21:12:59 -- 8 days 18 hours ago

Marietta, Georgia landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/2009/06/shawl-that-jazz.html

19:30:36 -- 8 days 20 hours ago

Los Angeles, California landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/2009/06/shawl-that-jazz.html

19:17:50 -- 8 days 20 hours ago

Harrisburg, South Dakota landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

18:54:52 -- 8 days 21 hours ago

Ontario, California landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

18:32:04 -- 8 days 21 hours ago

West Milford, New Jersey landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

18:18:03 -- 8 days 21 hours ago

United States landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

18:08:47 -- 8 days 21 hours ago

Los Angeles, California landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

17:56:20 -- 8 days 22 hours ago

Wheeling, Illinois landed on http://arielzoe.blogspot.com/

17:09:25 -- 8 days 22 hours ago

Faulkton, South Dakota arrived on an unknown landing page.

14:27:10 -- 9 days 1 hour ago

I won a blog award!!!

Nean the Bean (Anita) gave me a blog award. Please check out Anita's blog and take a look at her patterns. I've knit two of her fabulous patterns. ☺

The rules: Accept the award and post it on your blog with the name of the person that gave it to you. Pass on the award to as many bloggers as you wish and let them know you chose them for the award.

I'd love to give this award to everyone who reads my blog and leaves such encouraging comments but I thought I'd settle for a nice number and three sounded good. I'm giving this award to:

Mona

Vicky

Barb

Purple Swap on Ravelry

In my opinion there is no color better than purple. Ravelry had a purple swap that I had to join in. These two ballbands were part of the package I put together for my partner.

Have a purple day!!

Shawl That Jazz

I found the pattern here. It isn't as ruffly as I would have liked it to turn out, I'm sure I messed something up in the directions. It was a very easy knit and will be very cozy this winter. :-)

A baby blankie for Renee

My friend Marlene requested a baby blankie for her niece Renee. Renee's baby is due next month. I hope she likes it, it's pretty comfy.

Cane Cozy

My DH decided I needed a cane cozy for my temporary cane.

10.5” circulars with a cast on of 18.
Knit for 15 inches, purl one round, knit two rounds, knit two together all the way around, draw it closed.

I like it.

Lucy needed a dishcloth

Lucy is my friend Kathy's puppy. Lucy is actually two years old now but she's still Kathy's puppy. I saw this dishcloth and had to make it for her. I'm guessing Kathy will probably be the one to use it but I'm sure Lucy won't mind sharing with her mom.

Octopi

Aren't these the cutest

I know the greatest people!!

I had foot surgery two weeks ago and just had to say that I have the most thoughtful family and friends.

Marlene sent me a get well card and one sock per day for seven days. She says I can have the matching socks when the cast is off......... maybe. She just makes me smile.


Kathy sent me Skittles (no pictures but we all know what they look like) because she said they work better than Vicodin and the latest Knit.1 magazine. She was right about the Skittles.

My sister sent flowers.

Dona and her family sent flowers.

My mom sent the most incredible fruit arrangement from Edible Arrangements. I'd certainly consider them as a replacement for flowers that I might be sending, they were yummmmmmm.

Wendy came for a visit and brought flowers.

My boss and his wife sent flowers.

Mona sent chocolate covered bing cherries......... yummmmmmmmmm Sorry Mona everyone loved them and they were gone before I could take a picture.

Sheila sent the most adorable stuffed bear with a cast that she signed. It doesn't get cuter than this bear and he's been on the table next to me since he arrived.


I didn't count how many cards arrived but here's a picture. A big hug and a giant thank you to you all!!

Sunbonnet Sue

My friend Susie is a knitter but I really believe that her first love is quilting. She couldn't find a Sunbonnet Sue dishcloth so she designed this one and I test knitted it. I think it's adorable.

Contest on Darcy's blog

Head on over to Darcy's blog to enter to win this lovely project bag AND adorable stitch markers created by Patt.

If you enter, please tell Darcy I sent you. Good Luck!!

Felted Bowl

This was the hardest thing I've ever felted. I don't know if I should've doubled the yarn (Noro) but I've never had anything take this long to felt in my life. I think I ran it through the cycle 6 times before I gave up. BUT, I do like the bowl and I've always wanted to make a felted one. It's going to live on my coffee table. Wonder what it will end up holding.

This cracks me up every time!!

The Llama Song

Ggester Hat

I found this pattern on Ravelry and fell in love with it.

As you can see, my son was not in a hat modeling mood. I think that both he and the hat are darned cute!!

Doesn't everyone need a knitted lip balm cozy?

I knitted this as a swap gift. I think it came out cute and I'm hoping the giftee likes it.

Vote for Susie!!! (please)

I wonder, is this cheating? I don't know but I know it can't hurt.

My friend Susie designed this reusable bag for Kroger. She says "My odds are like 1 in a bazillion of winning the $1K. Kroger (and other stores) have this "design a reusable shopping bag contest." You can design your bag and then people can vote on it. If you have the most votes, you win $1000. So, I'm going to be a schmooze and beg for votes."

I'm guessing she'll see me schmooze for her the next time she looks at my blog but what are friends for. If you're so inclined to vote, here's the link.

Thanks!!

Meet the newest member of our bunny family

This is Floppy Joe. The first picture is when he was getting ready to meet our girl bunny. I'm not sure if she has a name, I call her Girl Bunny. We have another male named Hoppy but I tend to call him Boy Bunny. I was going to name the latest addition "Another Bunny" but my son wants to call him Floppy Joe.

I'll probably still call him Another Bunny.

Grumpasaurus

I found this pattern and thought he was incredibly cute. I don't think he looks too grumpy but I do like the way he turned out.

All my ducks in a row - family photo

Morris would like to introduce his brother Morgan and his sister Maybelle. Maybelle is going to live with my friend Kathy while Morgan will be living with my friend Lori.

Morris is a bit sad as he waves good bye. "Bye Maybelle and Morgan. Enjoy your new homes!!"

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

This weeks knitting

A "HI" dishcloth for Dona and a chemo cap for no one in particular. I love making them and unfortunately they always find homes.

Chemo Caps for Ellen

My friend Ellen asked me to make this hat for a friend of hers who has to undergo chemo. I hope it makes her smile.



I thought I'd include this mauve one also.

Morris the Duck

I love him. You can find directions for Morris here.

King of the Jungle!!!

Michelle's lion is finished. I can't believe I have to wait two months to give her the blankie and the lion but I'll put them away so I'm not tempted.

I was very happy with how he turned out and hope she is too.

Kreativ Blogger

Darcy gave me this award.



The official rules are as follows:
1. Copy the award to your site
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award
3. Nominate 7 other bloggers
4. Link to those on your blog
5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.

I'm going to have to break the chain because there are tooooooo many blogs that I read that I love. But thanks again Darcy for nominating me and writing such nice things about me in your blog.

Michelle's baby blankie

The color's still off in the picture but I give up. It's a deep cranberry color and so pretty. The baby shower isn't until April 22 so for now the blankie will be living in the closet.

Progress Photo

I'm making this blanket for my friend Michelle's first baby. The picture doesn't capture the color quite right and I'll try for a more accurate picture once it's finished. I'm using Wool Ease in Cranberry.

Sun for Lisa

I'm in a Ravelry swap called "Winter of Trading Favorites" and my wonderful swap partner is Lisa. Lisa is sick of the snow and cold where she lives and asked me to send her some of my California sunshine. Well, I couldn't do that BUT I did always want to try this pattern and it gave me a great excuse to add it to her package.

Heart Dishcloth

What a fun fast project!!! Here's where I found the pattern.

Two Hearts as One

The dishtowel started out as a KAL on my Yahoo group. Once that was finished I wanted to make the the matching dishcloth and tribble. I think if I add some lavender dish soap to the set, it would be a cute gift.

Zuma Giveaway

What's better than buying a new knitting bag? Getting one for free!! Click here to get the details on the Zuma Giveaway.

Froggy

Isn't he just the cutest. I made him for my Cocoa Swap Pal Becca. One of the swap requirements is a "Buddy Buster." She said that tree frogs were one of her favorite animals. He's not exactly a tree frog but I put him in my apricot tree.