CIC Vests Shipped

Today I shipped off these two vests to CIC, along with a couple of toothbrushes. I had hoped to include a third, but it is still on the needles, about 75% complete.

The count for the vest challenge was at 344 last Friday, with a goal of 400. I look forward to seeing by how much we exceed that number!

Knitting these little vests is so much fun; they practically fly off the needles!

Goodwill Score

So, last week I was at the Goodwill store in Columbia, MO fixing a computer. Of course, I took a few minutes to browse their wares. What to my wondering eyes should appear, but a pile of Lamb's Pride Worsted at a mere 35 cents per skein??? OK, some of it was pretty dusty, but I managed to find 4 skeins that weren't too bad. I've been wanting to try this yarn, and the price was certainly right! I figure I should be able to make three or four toddler vests for CIC with this. And, should you find yourself in Columbia, MO, check out the Goodwill store; I left quite a bit behind!

No longer heartsick

That pile of brush is the better part of a sparrow's nest we found inside the grill--after we turned it on. I noticed some sparrows hanging around the grill lately, and figured they must have a nest in a nearby tree. Uh, a little closer, actually. The parents fled without us noticing, but the eggs inside were roasted before we discovered the nest's presence.

I've been miserable, imagining the sparrows congratulating themselves on finding such a secure location to raise a family, as storm after storm blew through over the last couple of weeks, only to be rousted from their home by a terrible conflagration.

Today, I read Marguerite's blog, and learned something new about house sparrows. I had no idea they were so destructive. I have largely (although not entirely) gotten over the loss of the sparrows, especially since I saw a bluebird in the backyard yesterday. First time I've ever seen one.

I really hope nothing else tries to nest in the grill, tho'. There's something forlorn about parentless eggs.

But baby, it's cold outside

Not to mention windy and rainy. Not much of a spring; seems like we skipped over summer altogether and went right to fall. I even lost a couple of tomato plants to a late frost. "Slight chance of frost in outlying areas," they said. Hah!

The best that can be said is this is good knitting weather. Here's my latest CIC vest:

I used just one skein of Bartlettyarns 2-ply; that little bitty hank on the right is what I had left over. The yarn was white, but after a little dip in the dye kettle, it is now a lovely blue. I didn't really enjoy knitting the neck and armhole ribbing, so I haven't written up this pattern, since I really don't want to do it again. The next one I plan to use a seed stitch edging so I don't have mess with picking up stitches around the neck and those little bitty armholes. BTW, even tho' that neck looks awful small, it passed the test of going over my head.

Now, I'm trying to choose what color to knit the next vest. That skein of deep red is looking very tempting to cheer up a cold, grey spring.

Accepted into the Sisterhood

Sisterhood of the Traveling Stash, that is. In the wake of the Harlot's visit, I was turned onto several local knitblogs. On one of said blogs I read about, and joined, the Sisterhood. I think it's a fabulous idea, and can hardly wait for my turn!

I've been settling into my new job and finishing up school. And I do mean finish; I am finally about to graduate! It has been a very long road, but the end is truly near. I am seriously going to have to have a party to celebrate. Maybe I'll even buy myself a graduation present--of yarn, natch!

Speaking of yarn, I am about halfway done with another CIC vest. This is more Bartlettyarns 2-ply, kettle dyed this time. Since I ribbed the waist, I think I'm going to have to do ribbing at the neck and armholes. I've been trying to talk myself into a seed stitch edging like the last one, with little success. I wonder if I have any 16-inch circs around? I have this little niggling thought in the back of my mind that I do, purchased for doing hats. Wonder where they might be hiding? Wonder if I'll give up looking and just buy some more?

Water's fer washin'

#9 is actually true. #10 grosses me out.

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Carol!

1. Carol once came third in a Charlie Chaplin lookalike contest!
2. Louisa May Alcott, author of 'Little Carol', hated Carol and only wrote the book at her publisher's request.
3. Carol will always turn right when leaving a cave.
4. Carol was first grown in America by the grandmother Maria Ann Smith, from whom her name comes.
5. You share your birthday with Carol.
6. India tested its first nuclear Carol in 1974!
7. Edinburgh imports three thousand kilograms of Carol every year.
8. Carol can not regurgitate!
9. Carol can last longer without water than a camel can.
10. Carol can clean her ears with her tongue, which is over thirty-nine inches long!

I am interested in - do tell me aboutherhimitthem