Who are these bobble heads?

Do you know who these bobble heads are? If you do, e-mail me at grammieknits@yahoo.com before midnight on Monday, April 2 (that's a hint!) and tell me their names and what they do, and I'll send you some personalized knitting notecards!

On and Off the Needles

Off the needles: Striped tote from One Skein - 20 x 20 before felting. Then - OMG, what happened to it? It practically disappeared. I've knit this bag twice before, using the same yarn (Paton's wool) and I had the timing down pat for felting. The only thing I can think of is that we had a new boiler installed and the water must be a lot hotter than before. It felted down to 8 x 10 - it's cute and it's sturdy! I think it's too plain though. I will probably either do some needle felting on it or add some felted flowers.

Never Trust a Pull Skein!

I usually don't. I usually wind them up from the outside. But this one seemed to pull out easily and smoothly - right! Until about half-way through when it ended up in a tangled knot.

I had to cut and wind and finally ended up with three balls of yarn that will have to be spliced together. It's going to become a striped tote from One Skein. I'm using Paton's wool in a variegated blue, tan, brown color (do you recognize it Rose?) Never trust a pull skein!

Secret Leprechaun

The staff at my school does SP swaps once a month for one week as part of our wellness program. Although some think it is silly, there are a group of us who appreciate swaps for what they are (bringing a smile to someone's face, making their day a little bit more special, giving a boost to their mental health - you know what I'm talking about!) and we sign up each month. We usually leave a small surprise in our pal's mailbox each day for a week. This week is Secret leprechaun week, and my SP happens to be our custodian, and believe me she deserves to be spoiled! One of the gifts I will be giving her is a couple of these "Tribbles" and some Irish Spring soap. Thanks to Abigail for sharing the pattern for these cute scrubbies on her blog. (look on the sidebar for "Trouble with Tribbles") They take just a little bit of leftover dishcloth cotton and knit up in a jiffy. Today I got some chocolate covered cherries from my pal- don't you wish you had a secret leprechaun?

Saving Daylight!

I wonder how my computer knew we were changing the clocks two weeks earlier than we usually do?

It's warmed up quite a bit - like from windchills of 40 below to a temp of 42 above! The snow is melting and is being replaced with MUD! We don't have spring in Downeast Maine, we have 'mud season' and then come the black flies (tiny flies that swarm and bite). We go through a lot to get to summer! But I guess that only makes us appreciate it more.

I've been putting together some things for the Chinese Auction and Spaghetti supper that my grandchildren's 8th grade class is holding next week to raise money for their trip to Boston. In some places it's called a 'tricky tray'. There are items all laid out on tables and you buy tickets and put them in items that you would like to win. Then one ticket is drawn for each prize for the winners. I put together a 'learn to knit kit' - the bag is a Booga Bag made with Noro Kureyon. I added some knitting needles, 2 skeins of Wool-Ease yarn, and some knitting notions along with a learn how to knit book. I also put together a scrapbook basket with all kinds of papers, albums, stickers, stamps, books, and a photo box. Scrapbooking is my other obsession, although I haven't been doing much of it lately.

Global Warming???

The wind was whipping around the house (and into the house) at 40MPH Monday night - and the windchill was down to 40 below by the morning - I don't think it's ever been so cold. And tomorrow is supposed to be even colder. I wore my entrelac scarf to school today - and everyone was totally amazed that I had made it. It really looks so complicated, especially knit in Noro - like I had knit all of those little triangles separately LOL.
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I think I'm going to knit a headband with my leftover yarn tonight.

I finished another square for the Whoduknit charity blanket. This one is really easy. It's a Bernat acrylic yarn in a light green tweed worsted weight that's been in my stash for years, and size 10 needles.

CO 52 sts. knit 3 rows in garter stitch for border.

row 1: k 3 *knit into 2nd stitch on needle, pull through, but do not slip off the needle, k into first stitch on needle, pull through and slip both stitches off the needle* repeat up to last three stitches, k 3.

row 2: k 3, purl 46, k3

Repeat these two rows until square measures 11 1/2" and then knit 3 rows in garter stitch for top border.

I'm working on another square in a honeycomb pattern and I'm trying out this method of doing cables without a cable needle.

Babies are arriving!

This is my younger sister's first grandchild, Dylan Isiah, and she is ecstatic, as are his parents. He is the baby I knit this outfit for.

Emma Mae also made an appearance last week - she's the one I knit these for. Two more babies to go - both due in April. And the new Knit Picks catalog is all about babies - just too cute! I need more grandchildren!

In Like a Lion

March came roaring in like a lion and closed down most of the State of Maine on Friday. Here on the coast it turned over to sleet later in the day, giving us a nice coat of ice over everything! Fortunately, Saturday was warm (40 degrees!) and most of the ice on the roads melted. And, fortunately for us, my son-in-law has a plow on his truck, so we were plowed out by early Saturday morning. It would be nice to think this is winter's last hurrah - but the forecast is for a little more snow tomorrow and temps down below zero again.

I took advantage of the snow day to block my entrelac scarf, and make a square for the Whoduknit charity blanket.

This Bag is Mine!

This is what I found sitting on my dining room table when I got home today. I knew exactly what it was. You see I had seen this very package on the ITEIII blog and I had commented "who wouldn't want to receive a package wrapped like that!" I opened it carefully - not wanting to rip the beautiful paper - and was greeted with this:

Well - I knew what I was going to find inside. You see, I've been following this bag from its beginning on the ITEIII blog, never guessing that it was for me.

Out of all the amazing bags I have seen on the blog, this one just called out to me saying "Jane" all over it! It's perfect. The perfect color, shape and size. I really love it and it will be my go everywhere bag. Next came this cute handmade card revealing the true identity of "Annie Snuffleupagus" was Vicki - also known as Dandy.
But of course, that wasn't all. Pinned to the bag was a pin and a set of stitch markers - so cute! And a beautiful butterfly clasp. And look what else was in the box.

There was a skein of yarn hand spun from Vicki's own Alpaca "Uncle Buck" (I've been petting him),
some unspun fiber and a handmade (by Vicki) drop spindle so I can try spinning, a cute teddy bear key chain, yummy candy and gum, A crochet change purse with three Canadian coins in it. A Saskatchewan quarter celebrating their 100 year birthday, a quarter with the breast cancer ribbon on it to help support the fight and the bravery quarter to never forget the men & women who put their lives on the line everyday. These I will treasure!
And look at this cute sheep notepad and pen, with a lovely note inside.
And last, but not least came "Maple Bear" dressed in a hand knit sweater and socks with this note: "Through the wonders of the internet I come to live with you. I was made in China with "Canada" across my chest. My sweater 7 socks are Opal yarn, made in Germany, bought by a lady in Australia and swapped for Kool-aid from Canada. Now I'm living with you in the USA. Cool huh?"
So...do you think I've been spoiled??? Wow - I'm just overwhelmed and so excited. So much time and thought went into this package. There was a little note attached to each item telling me why she chose it. I am really touched by her thoughtfulness.

Thank you so much Vicki! I'll be visiting your blog often - please keep in touch!