the art of giving (or not giving) hand knit gifts

When I first started knitting I knit every one I could think of something at Christmas. Then I slowly came to believe I would knit only for those that appreciated it. That left my sisters and babies. Babies don't usually show their disdain for hand knits. Well, the list is getting shorter and shorter. I may have to stick to knitting only for other knitters and of course, babies.

A few weeks ago, my sister a sewer got on the threadbanger site and wanted to show me some cowls and scarflettes. She was hinting that I could maybe knit her one. I noticed one in the my so called scarf pattern. I said," hey that's like the scarf I knit you Christmas 2007." Her response was less than thrilling. "It is?" sh had no recollection of it. Even when I looked up the colorway. Then I realized it was on ravelry clearly stated that it was made for Missy. Still nothing. Oh boy! We were both embarassed. I think I need to rethink my knit gift giving policy.

I have more yarn to give away. This is some debbie bliss cashmerino aran in a nice spring color. There are 2 skeins in moss. A total of 180 meters or 196.8 yards. Leave me a comment about your handknit giving gift policy or a favorite gift you received and I'll select someone at random to send this too.

and the winner is...

Erin is the winner of the pink manos and although it isn't much, I donated $10.00 to food not bombs in her honor. Happy Weekend all.

Giveaway! deadline: Saturday 2/7

So I'm back to blogging again...for now. My poor defunct little blog. I think I like the idea of knitting more than actual knitting. After cleaning out my stash I know I definitely like buying yarn more than I like knitting it. That's not completely true. I just really like colors and texture even if I have no idea what I will do with them. My big downfall has been the close of several LYSs. Which brought some serious sales that I definitely partook in. I partook without any idea what I would knit this yarn into.

Last weekend, I dumped my entire stash on the floor. Serious mountain of yarn carnage. I thought about taking a picture and sharing it but it was too disturbing. I destashed about 35% of the stash. I'll never take the time to photograph and sell it all. So I decided to send a substantial box to Interim House . A residential and outpatient rehab facility where their knitting program has really taken off. If my impulsiveness can help someone find the therapeutic gifts knitting has to offer than it hasn't all been a waste.

There were several skeins that I kept to giveaway. Why you may I ask. Because I liked them too much to give to a someone that wouldn't love it. Or maybe it will keep me more accountable to my blog. I dunno. So in the spirit of pending valentines day I am giving away 4 very pink skeins(138 yds x's 4) of Manos del Uruguay wool in color #47, Cerise. Just leave a comment saying what your favorite charity is and I will pick someone at random. Considering no one reads this definct blog your odds of winning are real high.

If you are reading this and haven't voted yet, Go out and vote! Especially if you vote like I do. ;-)

my first fair isle

Lillehamer is finished. I was very nervous about it being I messed my first colorwork project up big time. This was knit on size 5 needles using Knitpicks telemark in black, charcoal heather and bayberry.

This is also the project that I discovered the true magic of blocking. It was pretty lumpy and bumpy not to mention looking like it would fit a toddler at best and not a grown man with a full head of hair.

I made this for Chip. A long time business associate, for lack of a better term, of my family. He's like a version of my Dad, but more grown up with a full time job. I got word that he was retiring from my Uncle and cried and then made a hat. He is an avid skier and I thought that in his retirement he could use a new hat to do more skiing in. Turns out my Uncle is crazy and he is not retiring. With a fibbing family like mine, I need a Chip in my life. At least for another year or so.

final summer of yarn love package.

My secret pal was Joanne, who was oh so good to me.

woops I messed up the Uh Ohs.

uh oh 2, originally uploaded by kimmiecashie.

I finally felted something publicly. he way felted items feels gives me the creeps. J thinks I have Synesthesia but I just have texture issues. I don't hear colors I just don't like the way chenille and felted goods feel. I don't really like how broccoli tickles the roof of my mouth and I definitely don't like o be surprised by tapioca balls in bubble tea. Are you supposed to chew them or just swallow?
Anyways, I made this piece for baby K. When finishing up these guys, I really saw the top nubs as ears and not arms. Then I looked at some others on ravelry and they are definitely arms. And then I looked at the pattern. Yeah, they are arms. I was abut to rip out the stitches and then I remember that baby K doesn't know the difference between and ear and an arm.

dog thursdays & announcement

I am going out of town for a bit for some fun and then to give my support to my Dad & Uncle. Not exactly sure when I'll be back but will post something knitting related in the near future.

I realize I"m way overdue for a blog post. Truth be told I"m in a knitting funk. I started a coffee cozy from a blog pattern that was too small. So that will take some tweeking that I'm just not in the mood for. Not that I need a reason to be a grump, but my Aunt Charlotte recently passed away and my Grandpa probably has a few more days of life. I've been downloading patterns like nobodies business. Mostly knitted toys which I've never had any interest in. The number of babies in my life has grown exponentially with the birth of Jameson, Kyla and the recent Jack Dangerfield in the last 6 months. Mostly the pattern downloading is I just like a fresh start when I'm sad, or bored. So next post I hope to have something more interesting and knitting related to post.

check out the loot I scored

I found this on my doorstep Sunday. It's a beautifully wrapped from my pal from the summer of yarn love swap. In the box I found a cute little skein of o-wool in a tweedy pink. Not sure what I'll make with it yet. Any suggestions?

I also scored some cow corn holders, chocolate, incense, candles, a kooky food book, a Mamas and papas CD and the scariest jelly bellies evah! Thanks secret pal for a very summer themed gift.

the boys love laundry day

destashing .

***WARNING***The following photos may break some yarn addicts hearts***


My friend Bill rescued Beau after his former owners threw him in a dumpster. Beau doesn't know he is dumpster kitty. He only deserves the best in life...or else. Or else, he will find a basket of squishy yarn to pee in.




One of the things I was looking forward to when I moved into the house was putting the dreaded litter box in the basement. Whenever I had company coming over, nature called for Beau. So annoying! My cat is also a fancy-pants. I have always changed his litter once a week. Not even the scoop thing...a complete change. Now that the box is in the basement, I let it slip and hadn't changed it in 2 weeks.










So I had some necessary destashing to do. Fortunately, nothing too valuable was ruined. Beau didn't get get returned to a dumpster but he was put in the basement for 2 hours until I cleaned up the mess and soothed myself with a couple episodes of the Office.

In the meantime, honeymoon cami is going smoothly. Just waiting for more yarn to come in. The last ball needed was pissed on by you know who.

scary things everywhere

scary cat, originally uploaded by kimmiecashie.

Last time I went home, I saw a little something that was just part of the scenery when I lived at home. With some time and space I can see how creepy it is. I'm sure everything from my childhood home that seemed normal is indeed creepy and wrong. So now I give you creepy handmade ceramic kitty in a dress. Siting next to a bunny in a dress. Goo!

I made food!

Yesterday I made a pizza with a banana pepper FROM MY GARDEN! Yipee! I have actually veggies growing in my garden. By the way isn't that pic very american gothic. Not meant to be that way but still funny. The beans I started them from seed in my basement. I'm tickled by my teeny tiny tomatoes too! I had no idea how satisfying a veggie garden could be. I want to make sauce from my roma tomato plant. If anyone knows how to do that, let me know.

I do have a gardening flop though. I neglected my basil plant and it flowered like crazy and I have some bitter basil on my hands. Fortunately, I have another plant.

Supposedly, food taste better from your own garden. I'll be honest. That pepper tasted fair and my strawberries are very tart. But I'm still so excited that I actually grew food.

indecesive

I can't ever seem to decide on a paint color until I slap a trillion samples full of paint on a wall. I"m still not sure. It is either the first one on the bottom or the third one on the bottom. I'm trying to get the guest room right for when 2 friends a baby and a dog come to stay. I think I need a guest cabin.

It's finished!

It is finished and good ol' fed ex has it on the way to Burdett, NY. where the men are men and they sheep run scared.

Thanks SP!

I'm pretty late in posting this but I couldn't find my camera cable to upload the photos. So, at this point, the chamomile and cat greens seeds SP gave me have already been planted and are sprouting. My summer of yarn love swap pal has been super good to me and super sneaky! The president of our neighborhood association hand delivered a beautifully wrapped package. My pal contacted her about being the go-between. I'm surprised she was cool being the delivery person, but as it turns out she is also a knitter. My package had tons of goodies. She or he went above and beyond. I was spoiled with funky keys, some dark chocolate, rowan summer tweed in a pretty blue, A matching one skein wonders pattern book, some scone mix and lemon curd which was enjoyed this weekend at a gals brunch. I had some smores ingredients. The marshmallows in there are to die for! They melt perfectly in hot cocoa. There are the most gorgeous cloth bird hanging. Both Beau and Albert are intrigued by it. Secret Pal also remembered the critters with some cat greens and dogie doughnuts. Bertie loved the treats! There are too may goodies in this package to list. Thanks again SP!

Gotcha day

It's official. Okay I'm officially late but Albert and I have been friends for one year (and some days). Albert is close to memorial day and the cat's gotcha day was labor day.

inheritance

When I bought this house a few months ago I signed a sheet of paper that for a dollar I acquired the following household goods.
-All kitchen appliances
-Pool equipment

Never in my life has a dollar bought so much.
In the garage I've inherited...
-What A believe is the oldest ice axe in the western world.
- a patio set
-one utility glove
-a ladder circa 1957
-an empty bucket.
--spare aluminum pieces
-All the original light fixtures,
-Several light fixtures from the seventies.
- a bag of mulch.
-something that smells like fertilizer.
-some pool equipment
-At least a hundred bricks

In the basement...
-A washer and dryer (score!)
-several miscellanous tiles
-paint
-2 turntables
-some speakers
- a broom
-a bucket of rags
- several sponges

I've also inherited some bad plumbing, creepily nice neighbors, lots of space, lots of future projects, some home equity or at least the opportunity for it, and freedom to do what I want to this dwelling.

PS the color of my walls and my gross pipes match.

reunited

Last week my cat ran away. Six days, 3 shelter visits, countless phone calls, 300 hundred flyers and fourty dollars in postage later he decided to saunter back on the deck. He is real skinny and dirty but happy to be home. The dog was so excited he kept running in circles and licking the cat. I'm super grateful to my neighbors who took to searching for Beau without making me feel like a cat lady. I'm also grateful to Jenny who helped me make and address flyers and al my friends who were uber supportive.