Purling Sprite

First Signs of Spring

It is almost here, I can feel it. I can't wait for it! I am so psyched! Unfortunately, I managed to get sick over the weekend, yuck! I think I know how it happened too. I went to a swimming party Saturday (indoors), everything went great. The kids swam: meaning, little Benny stayed by the side of the pool dipping her feet while Wonderboy tried to learn to swim with me.

The evening was uneventful, other than a 35 lbs child jump to me on the 5 foot deep water and considering that I am only 5 foot 2 inches, when the little girl jumped, she sent us both down the pool! There I was trying to get her to the side of the pool while trying very hard not to sink in. I know how to float very well but when she jumped, I barely had a chance to put my arms up to grab her. Anyways, that was nothing. At the end, we are getting the kids dressed, hubby goes out to the bathroom to get Wonderboy dressed and little Benny stays by the pool with me, while I got my t-shirt on and pants (didn't get a chance to get this one). I sit her down, I look to the pool and there are two little kids playing around. The first one jumps in the pool and the other follows. Well the first one knows how to swim, the second one doesn't. So I see him struggling, arms flapping, head sinking, his little eyes in terror, so I instantly jump in, t-shirt and all! Grab him by the chest and push him to the outside of the pool. His Grandpa (I think it was his Grandpa) runs to him and makes sure he is okay, thanks me and they go to the side (where I am sure the little kid got a small lesson about jumping in). Anyways, my dry clothes got soaked. I ended up going home with wet clothes. I didn't spend much time outside with them on but apparently the few minutes was enough to get me a bit under the weather. I guess, a cold is not a bad trade off.

The pictures above are from our weekend. Signs of Spring are popping everywhere. Even the birds have started to chirp around our homes. I am so excited! I love warm weather. I can do without the snow and the cold. What signs of Spring have you seen where you live? Post pics on your blog of First Signs of Spring around your neighborhood, let's make it a pre-Spring photo shoot!

Learn to Knit Cables on Looms Booklet tour

The booklet and I have made a few stops this week at different blogs. Hop on over to read the interviews. Thank you ladies for your time and for hosting my little booklet and I. It has been great answering questions about my life, the booklet and the writing process. Thank you mucho, mucho!

Stops this week:

• Chatting with GuppyGirl aka Jenny
• Rockin' the Loom with Robin
• Visiting with The Dust Bunnies will Wait with Kimberly

Look at these cuties made by Robin! She is definitely rockin' that loom!

[Photo credit: Property of Robin M]

More stops on the tour coming soon!

Later today: the release of the Spring Issue of LKC magazine!

Loom Knitting Meme

Wooot? A meme for loom knitters? Yep, we have one specifically for us now thanks to Karen! Take the MeMe and check to see what progress you have made on your loom knitting.

In case you are wondering what I am up to and why the silence...I am working on the next issue of LKC. Almost there...almost.

What I've made on my knitting looms and what I have done knitting/fiber related:

Afghan - Yes

I-cord - yes,

Garter stitch - yes

Knitting with metal wire - yes

Shawl - yes

Stockinette stitch - yes

Socks: top-down - yes

Socks: toe-up - yes

Knitting with camel yarn - no

Mittens: Cuff-up - yes

Mittens: Tip-down - yes

Hat - yes

Knitting with silk a fine strand with wool for socks - no

Moebius band knitting - no

Participating in a KAL - Yes

Sweater - Yes

Drop stitch patterns - Yes

Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn - No

Slip stitch patterns - yes

Knitting with banana fiber yarn - No

Twisted stitch patterns - Yes

Knitting with bamboo yarn - Yes

Charity knitting - Yes

Knitting with soy yarn - Yes

Cardigan - Yes

Toy/doll clothing - Yes

Baby items - Yes

Knitting with your own handspun yarn - Yes

Slippers - Yes

Designing knitted garments - Yes

Cable stitch patterns - Yes

Lace patterns - Yes

Publishing a knitting book - Yes. Looming related ones only-2 books and 1 booklet

Scarf - Yes

Teaching a child to knit - Yes

Knitting to make money - Yes

Buttonholes - Yes

Knitting with alpaca - Yes

Fair Isle knitting - Does colourstranded count?

Dying with plant colors - No

Knitting items for a wedding - No

Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies…) - Yes

Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) - Yes

Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn - Yes

Holiday related knitting - Not loom knitted, only with needles

Teaching a male how to loom knit - No

Bobbles - Yes

Knitting for a living - No

Knitting with cotton - Yes

Knitting smocking - No

Dying yarn - Yes

Knitting art - No

Fulling/felting - Yes

Knitting with wool - Yes

Textured knitting - Yes

Kitchener stitch - Yes

Purses/bags - Yes-way too many!

Knitting with beads - Yes

Swatching - Yes and love it!

Long Tail CO - Yes

Knitting and purling backwards - No

Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegated yarn - Yes

Stuffed toys - Yes

Baby items - Yes.

Knitting with cashmere (mmm, cashmere!) - Yes

Darning - No.

Jewelry - Yes

Knitting with synthetic yarn - unfortunately Yes

Writing a pattern - Yes

Gloves mittens are warmer! - No to gloves, yes to Mitts

Intarsia - Yes

Knitting with linen - Yes

Knitting for preemies - Yes

Short rows - Yes

Cuffs/fingerless mits/armwarmers - yes

Pillows - No

Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine - Knitty.com

Rug - no

Knitting on a loom - Yes

Knitting a gift - yes

Knitting for a pet? - no

Shrug/bolero/poncho - yes

Knitting with dog/cat hair accidentally or on purpose? - No

Hair accessories - No

Knitting in public - yes

Knitting with buffalo yarn - no

Knitting with pygora - no

Dyeing with food dye/drink mixes - Yes. Kool Aid

Dyeing with chemical dyes (acid, etc) - Yes

The Shower

Conversation with little Benny while in the shower.

Benny: Mom, I want to take a bath

Me: not right now. I am taking a shower.

Benny: Moooom, please.

Me: not right now. You need to wait for a few minutes, when I am done I'll give you a bath. Why don't you come in and I'll give you a shower.

Benny: No, I don't like to take showers. Water gets on my face. [She leaves the bathroom then comes back a few minutes later]. She starts talking and tells me that she is ready for a shower.

Me: I open the shower curtain and there she is ready for her shower....she is wearing goggles. LOL. She is so precious! During the entire showertime, she wore her goggles. It was the most hilarious thing ever!