We now return you to the regularly scheduled knitting...kinda

Back to the knitting today. . .err, I mean crochet!
My latest project is a crochet afghan. So far, here's where I am: This pile of 20 white squares, about 8 1/2 inches each, is just waiting for it's borders and the join. I have decided that I am only willing to do 20 squares for a 4x5 afghan, but I need the afghan to be a bit bigger when it's all said and done. I started in white, but then decided to work a lacy border around each square, and join with a crochet chain. I know I have seen this technique elsewhere, not sure just where. . .but crochet is in my blood, so I am sure I can figure it out. I worked on these squares last week at the farm, and Peanut came to visit Joey the llama. . .I know you want to see a picture of that!!!My biggest dilemma so far has been whether to work this all in white or to add color(s). I opted for the latter, in a subtle way. . .you can see that 12 of the squares have already received their first round of color (an off-white), and this will be followed by a tan round. After that, there is a chocolate brown in my stash that will edge them all once more before the joining round. I think it's going to be pretty fantastic, so I can't wiat until it all comes to pass and I can show off the finished product! That's the crochet update, and now. . .

We return you to the regularly scheduled knitting!. . .which has kind of taken a hiatus. . .there are a pair of socks, a hat, a scarf and a sweater on my needles, but there has not been (and will not be) much progress on these until the afghan is complete (hopefully this weekend?). Come to think of it, the girls (Dollface, Wifey-Poo and Peanut) have started to make their winter-wear knitting requests, so I'm not sure when those four projects willb ecompleted. . .but there should be knitting content in the blog every week, nonetheless! Love the knitting (and crochet)!!!

That's it for now. There's still a SALE IN THE SHOP, and this code is good for 10% off until the end of September: 10SEP11TEN. That's 10% off anything you order, even sale items (some as low as $5!).

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Thursday

These "religious" posts are few and far between, but today I just need to tell you about something that happened at work this week. Mine is a pretty tame job, without much excitement on most days. But on some days. . .well, some days I just want to shout from the rooftops. . .read on!

(By the way, I do not mean to "thump" anything at anybody with this post. However, I am a church secretary and a Christian, I do share the opinions expressed in this blog, and I do believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. I also believe that God wants nothing more than to have a life-saving relationship with all of his children, no matter who they are or what they have done in this lifetime.)

A young man came into the church about 10:30am this past Thursday, and he asked if he could just pray. Knowing that the equipment on stage is not cheap stuff, after I let him into the worship center, I let our worship guy know he was in there, and I left all the doors open so I could hear any "funny business" that might happen. After a few minutes, Music Man walked by my office and went in to meet the young man (I’ll call him José for the blog).

For the next hour (at least), Music Man and José battled for the young man's soul. . .talking, praying, reading and discussing scripture. . .and I saw José leave through the front doors. Music Man came back and sat down in my office, and through his tears he told me some of José's story. . .

José had just been fired from his job. His involvement with spiritists, fortune tellers and other "spiritual" activities had left him unable to sleep for at least the last several days, and the reason he had lost his job was his inability to function on what little sleep he had gotten. He knew that he needed God, but wasn't sure what to do about it. As he drove past this church on this morning, he said God told him to pull in. (This is usually where the average con would make a request for money, or work boots or something, but Music Man never mentioned any such request. This was very genuine.)

Music Man said that, after I had told him about Jose's arrival, he heard God tell him to "go talk to that kid." Now, our Music Man has a full plate, and lots to do on Thursdays to prepare for a young-adult worship service he participates in each week on Thursday evenings. . .but he just went to talk to that kid anyway. While he was telling me the story, Music Man said that it was like a fist-fight with Satan. . .he was totally drained afterwards. . .and yet, he was also energized.

While they were talking and praying, José received a text message from a phone number he did not recognize. . .it said, "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God," which is directly from the Old Testament in Leviticus 19:31. God had texted him (or He had someone text him) right when this young man needed a word from God most. He broke down. Music Man broke down. They prayed and eventually that young man accepted Christ, proclaiming that he was now, and finally, "safe" because of all that God had done for him.

Music Man said that it was in that moment of acceptance that he felt a presence in the room with them, and he watched this young man's face transformed from darkness to light. Weight was lifted from his shoulders, and when José left, he was a new man.

Well, a few minutes later, José returned. He was a new man, not the same José that had walked in earlier, face downcast, asking if he could just come in and pray. His face and his whole being were smiling brightly and proclaiming God's promise of new life! All he wanted now was to tell everyone he knew, but first he came back to thank Music Man. He and one of our ministers who was also in the office prayed with José and let him know how blessed they were that he had come in today.

This is soooo not my story to tell. . .still I must. I have Music Man's permission, and I have changed the names, but WOW!!! That's powerful stuff, and I just needed to share it. It's not something I see every day, or every week, month or year. What I normally see at my job is the average con, looking for a handout. . .churches are apparently pretty good marks. Thursday's interaction with José, even though I barely participated in it, sure does a lot to remind me what's at stake and why I am who I am. . .it's all about Him. Praise God!

Today, I will be knitting at the farm. I will be in the middle of God's amazing creation, and I will be praising Him and thanking Him for all that he has provided for his children, and I will be in constant prayer for those who don't know Him yet.

Oh, and I hope to finish another Hello Kitty Hat, too!
Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Hello, Kitty!

I've said, "Hello, Kitty!," an awful lot this week! I've been spending some extra time visiting and laughing with a neighbor who is the owner of a very friendly, very playful, very fun tabby-cat kitten. In the morning, afternoon and evening, this cat is ready to go! It's fun to walk into my friend's living room, greeted by a short woof from the dog (who can barely be bothered to get off the sofa) and the kitty jingle-ing around the corner to say hello. One morning, he just about leaped into my arms, and he is so snuggly-soft and warm! Is there anything better than snuggly-soft and warm on a crisp fall morning?

While my neighbor's kitty is far from being my knitting "muse" on most days, today his little white face is the cat's meow of knitting muses! Well, both the kitten and the QueenOfTorts on Ravelry are my muses! The queen brought the cutest hat to knit-night last Thursday, and now I have to make one. . .. . .so, I cast on Monday night for the Hello Kitty Hat. There's where I am so far, but still the knitting has been upstaged lately by so many other good things. (Pause now to reflect on recent time spent with Peanut, Wifey-Poo, Dollface and Snake. . .exercise classes at the local gym. . .playtime with clay for the Etsy store. . .smile!) This hat will hopefully still fit Peanut when she gets it,and I will hopefully get some more knitting time in my near future! After all, I still have not progressed much on the blue sweater. . .you get my Drift? Ah, well. There are worse things than short knitting time. At least Stacy and Clinton have finally taught me, through countless episodes of "What Not to Wear," that Mom Jeans are not my only option. . .(no offense intended to my friends who embrace their Mom Jeans. . .they really can't be beat for comfort! Besides, if Mom Jeans are your worst lot in this life, you are blessed indeed.) Sooo, like the last picture says, wear what you like, and Knit in Good Health! Oh!, and thanks for stopping by!!!

It's all in the Jeans. . .

Did you ever have "one of those days?" You know the kind. . .you need new jeans, so you decide to go to a store and get a pair. . .butt (pun intended) it's just not that simple. There are lots of jeans to choose from. Cute jeans that flare out at the bottom, look great with your favorite boots, and have lots of detail stitching around the pockets. . .. . .snug fitting jeans that hug your feminine curves, and look great with your favorite pink sweater for school. . .. . .or perhaps it's been more than a few years since you were in high school, and you're more a fan of the "Mom Jeans" style? A bit higher on the waist, and tapered at the bottom so you don't get them caught in the car door while you are running the endless carpools with the kids. . .Whatever your jeans-style is, there is likely to be a pair of jeans out there (somewhere) that you will love. I've looked for jeans at many, many stores, and I feel confident that there IS a pair for every body. However, finding that pair in just the right size. . .the size that produces neither camel-toe nor muffin-top. . .at a length that declares neither "FLOOD!" nor "we-need-a-new-pair-of-very-high-heeled-hurty-feet-styled-shoes-to-wear-with-these". . .well, there's the problem.

Through the years, I have hemmed many a jean cuff, and I have worn many long-and-loose-fitting tops to disguise a less-than-perfect fit below the waist and above the knee. . .and frankly, I'm sick of it! Sooo, I have finally designed my own line of blue jeans, and they will be the perfect fit for every knitter and crocheter. . .and you will never have to lay on the bed to zip them up (they are quite zipperless) they are also verymuch made of polymer clay!Jeans and sweaters by Pretty Knitty Jewelry are easy-care and affordable, aaaand they will help you keep track of your rows! Look for these beauties adorning combination knit/crochet row counters in the shop in just a couple of days. . .as soon as I can get them assembled. . .Yay!

In knitting knews, I am still plugging away at my friend-y socks and a couple other things. I am really pushing to get these done, tho. . .fall only lasts so long, and the campfires all go out eventually!So, there you have it. . .jeans shopping and knitting-for-stress-relief. They go together. I wish you all the best if you find yourself jeans shopping in the near future, and please remember to never let the number on a pair of pants tell you who you are. Pretty thinks that you are pretty amazing!

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Unexpected Week So Far. . .

Unexpected and NOT FUNNY. . .
This is what the computer screen sometimes looks like just before the infamous "blue-screen-of-death" (dum-dum-dummmm) screen. . .I was not amused.

Aaaaugh! WHAT?!? I don't want to see that! (Luckily, my blue screen was not "the" blue screen, but it did slow me down until I figured out the problem. . .ugh!)

Unexpected and PRETTY FUNNY. . .
Look what I found while cleaning out my dresser drawers for new, smaller clothes: Eye-glasses I bought (and wore) in the mid-nineties, before the technician at my current Optometrist's office vehemently refused to let me purchase another pair of "Granny Glasses."
Unexpected, but SUPER CUTE. . .
I knit Helena in the 0-3 month size, and I was pretty sure the gauge was on target. I kept wondering why Wifey-Poo never put it on Peanut. It could be that the sweater just fits NOW, when she is nearly 6 MONTHS OLD! lol
Unexpected, and KINDOF HILARIOUS. . .
Pretty puts on the old specs, and finds that she can still rock this look! Hahahaha! Well, I AM a Grandma now!!!

But seriously now, these are going to the Lions Club for recycling. . .my Rx and my style have changed since the mid-nineties!!!

So that's my week so far. . .unexpected. Not as much knitting as expected. Not as much work in the shop as expected. More ZUMBA than expected (I joined a gym, step-class tonight!). I'm having a good, but unexpected, time this week! I hope your week is also going well. . .even if there are twists and turns you didn't expect. :o)

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

And now, for the big reveal!

So, Pretty has worked with clay. And she has created some counters. And she has spent hours photographing the counters, and admiring the counters, and listing the counters on Etsy. . .phew! Now, guess who gets a cookie? Why, all my blog readers, of course! Here's your cookie, in the form of a discount at the shop! Come Monday, this discount goes live to everyone in the world of Ravelry (where I do most of my advertising), but for now, it's all yours for the taking! And Pretty. . .well, Pretty's going to take a massive NAP! But first, she is gonna knit on this hat for the hubs!You know, I put four balls of yarn on the table in front of him, two tan and two grey, and I said, "Which color would you like?" He answered quite plainly, "The blue." Well, I guess "Flint" is kind of a blueish-grey. And besides, we are both kind of blinded by the cuteness of one little Peanut who lives very close to us now. . .She loves to read and to play with her Grampa! (and her Gramma!) And we love to play and visit with her, too. . .we are so blessed.I hope that you have had time to count your blessings this week.

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Knitting it all together in The Shop

It was a dark and stormy night. . . Well, it was a rainy couple of days, anyway! Still, despite the rain and the holiday, Sweetie and I walked in the park on on Monday. Then, feeling a little guilty because I had somewhat neglected the shop on Saturday and Sunday, I decided to cast on a new project. . . . . .something in cotton. . .a solid color, with lots of texture. . .good for photographs!. . .. . .and, when I was about halfway done, I stopped to take some pictures of my new pieces for the Etsy Store! (I promise that you will see some of those photos in the store by the end of the week, but I'm not going to spoil the surprise here today!) And, after the photos were taken and edited, and ready for listing, I went to bed.

Early this morning, I picked out yarn for a new hat for Sweetie, and he prefers the grey to the tan, so I may make two hats. . .but I will not cast on until I have started putting up listings in the shop! Yes, it's been a busy, rainy couple of days. . . . . .but I think it's finally all knitting itself together! Gotta love that! :)

Thanks for stopping by, and please stop by the shop in the next couple of days to see what all the excitement is about! (I will stop referencing the shop now, I think you get it.)

Knit in Good Health!

Home Sweet Home

If you've been reading the blog regularly, you know that Army Boy has left for a major deployment, Wifey-Poo and Peanut have moved back to our "home" state, and Dollface was recently married to Snake. (If you have not been a regular reader until today, now you are pretty much caught up! Yay!)

All of these recent changes to Pretty's family, and to the status of "home" for many of the family's members, have led me to some comfort knitting. Here's where I am on the Drift cardigan, past all the decreases and straight waist knitting, ready to increase for the bust:I know, I am really not that much further along than I was last week at this time, am I? Well, there just hasn't been time for much knitting with all those changes! Even at knit night this week, I did not knit as much as usual. Again, if you've been a fan of Pretty for long, you know that there are major shop updates planned in Etsy world! There have been many long nights with polymer clay and jewelry supplies, and I have gotten much accomplished. . .but not as much as I had hoped would be done by September third (we did not expect that deployment to happen until later this month, and I lost some serious time on a cross-country goodbye).

Still, to prove to myself that I AM making headway on the shop overhaul, today I dumped all of my new beads (now made into charms and stitch markers) out onto a table to marvel a bit at my creativity, and I thought you might also enjoy a peek at some of the items that will be gracing new row counters at Pretty Knitty Jewelry this fall. . .I know! You're just speechless at my total lack of humility, right? Maybe you're thinking I'm some kind of TURKEY?Well, I suppose that sometimes I am a turkey. But at least I am not angry. . .Angry isn't an emotion that I do very well. Oh, I do just about every emotion on most days, but I'm better at some than I am at others. Lately, I have mastered feeling nostalgic. . .reminiscing about when I was a little kid, and my biggest worry was a test that I didn't study enough for. . .remembering when my children were small, and my biggest worry was a test that they didn't study enough for. . .recalling the days when we were all together, at home together, on a regular basis. . .oh, the joys of home-sweet-home!Yet, even though we don't all live together now that my family has grown, we are still family, and the love continues to grow! Our granddaughter and our new son-in-law are proof positive that the love in this Pretty Knitty Family cannot be contained. . .and so it spills out in joy, whether we are together or apart. . .love and joy that must be shared.

Home Sweet Home is more than a place, it's a state of mind and heart. Wherever life takes you, you will always carry a piece of home with you, if you so choose, and I hope that you do. Keep your loved ones close at heart, and always remember that "there's no place like home!"

Knit in Good Health!