Struggling along

I have been having yet more computer issues of late. It seems that the disk drive on the computer is not working properly which presents a problem for loading my photo's. I have an older sony digital camera which takes pictures on a regular floppy diskette. So every time I try to get my pictures off the disk by inserting it into the computer disk drive, the computer tells me that I must insert the disk. HMMM, I just did! If I putter around waiting for a while, sometimes it works, sometimes I need to take it out and retry several times... Anyway, I have been wanting a new computer for several months and saving my pennies. I have about half what it would be for the nice system I want. I have been patiently holding out. Today hubby went on line with my son's help and ordered me the computer I want. He says he will pay the second half and it will be my Christmas present. I am pretty darn excited about that, but it will be about a month before it arrives as I am having a dell built special for me.

Anyway, I will quit rambling about that, but I wanted everyone to be aware that if I don't post any pictures, it is because I can't get the darn things off of my camera and into the computer.

So for this weeks yarn PrOn, I made a mitten holding a strand of Fortissima sock yarn and a strand of Kid Seta mohair together. It turned out OK, but nothing as fabulous as the ones my cousin made last winter. Besides the fact that I am not crazy about the mitten, I discovered that I am allergic to mohair. ICK! I had suspected this the first few times I tried to spin mohair and I got a scratchy throat, sniffly nose and runny eyes. Well this week while I knit with the mohair, my chest got tight and I got a runny nose and a bad headache. NO fun at all. I did take some benandryl to get me through the one mitten. I will wait a week or so to finish the second one. But I will not be knitting with mohair again. Not sure what I will do with all the kid silk haze I bought to work into a shawl. HMMMM

So here are the pics:

Three for the Road

I am currently knitting this bag as a store sample. It is the
"Three for the Road" bag from the book (Bags a knitters dozen) www.amazon.com/Bags-Knitters-Dozen/dp/1893762203

Let me warn you that if you have this book or are thinking of buying it, check out the corrections here:
www.knittinguniverse.com/books/bookscorrections/Bags/bagsweb.pdf There are many errors and clarifications in this book. Anyhow, the pattern comes in 3 sizes for 3 different weights of yarn. I am making the medium sized bag using Cascade Alma. It is 54% cotton and 46% viscose. I like the color of the bag, but I am not used to this textured style yarn. I did not use the yarn called for by the way. The pattern called for ROWAN Pronto (50% cotton, 50% Acrylic) The Alma is like a chenille and satin cord wrapped together and is knitting up with odd loopy things popping out of the finished fabric. It is the chenille part that is sproinging out ; ) The yarn shop people, have assured me that it is the nature of the yarn and not to fret about it. I guess that I will be expanding my horizons and knitting with all kinds of fun fibers, now that I am working at a yarns store.

So without further ado, here ya go....

Tea Time

From tank time to "Tea Time"... My first knitting project for the new yarn shop was to knit a tea cozy. I collect tea pots so it was a fun project and not too difficult, for this beginner. Once I mastered the flat 2 strand knitting I was good to go. I was having a dickens of a time figuring out how to keep the carried yarn on just one side of the project. Sometimes I should just stop and think things through ; )

Anyway I set up a very cute display at the store with a white rectangular plate, some tea bags, and a loose leaf tea straining spoon. The very first day it was on display in the store, several people commented on how cute it was and one lady even bought the pattern. What a boost to my ego!

Check it out! It will be very cute to have it back once the store is done with it.

Tank Time

Sorry, I was missing in action again last week. I had my mother in law visiting for the last 10 days. It was a delight, but computer time was limited.
Well it is about time I finished this tank. Summer is nearly over and this first sweater project ended up being a real bummer. I didn't like the yarn and I didn't think the pattern was written very clearly for a beginner. It most certainly is not my best work, but I am glad it is done and I will wear it to work tomorrow. It does seem a bit big, but that is OK, I plan to wear it under a cropped jacket and I think it will look great. I think the bamboo yarn is heavy and makes it just hang. Some call this drape, I don't like it!

Hey I am not sure I have mentioned it here on my blog yet, but I got hired on at the new yarn store that I applied at about a month ago. I am on my second week and I am soooooo loving it. It is pretty sad when you even enjoy the dusting. This job is nothing like my Hobby Lobby nightmare and I am so glad that I applied.
The only part giving me a few issues at the moment is the computerized cash register.
It is just so much to remember for me. I am sure that once I get the routine down it won't be a big deal. The owner has been so incredible and patient with me and I really enjoy working with her. Anyway, here are some pictures of me in the tank.