No News - but a great little video!

A friend sent me this video in an email tonight...it was great! So I thought I'd share it... It's called "The Stethoscope"... great message!
(of course, you'll need to slide your mouse over to the music "bar" on the top right side of the block and click on the 'Pause' button, or you'll have two things going at once... :0)))))))

Meret by Wooly Wormhead

I finally started on the beret that I want to make. It took me a while to find a pattern that looked like something that I would like.
I have never wanted to have a beret...but I watched a movie called "The Note" before Christmas and fell in love with a knit beret that one the actresses wore in the movie. I decided I had to have one. LOL.
So I started "Meret" tonight. The pattern is designed by 'Wooly Wormhead', and is offered free on her website/blog, among many other cute hat patterns. I did a little 'research' on Ravelry to find out what other 'Ravelers' thought of that pattern, and any errata regarding it.
I am using Plymouth Encore Colorspun in a lovely variegated colorway with greens and blues in it.
I am a little nervous about making it...because maybe I won't like a beret on me...I don't know. I am also a little concerned it won't fit.
It is the FIRST time I have actually knit a swatch to check the gauge. (I know... I'm bad.)
So, I'll keep you updated on how its going. (oh, and BTW - Susan B Anderson 'inspired' me to start it...with her post on her knit slouchy hat that she had made. Hers turned out so darn cute, that I had to try making this one.)

Knit Lite Needle disappointment!

ok...I have had my Knite lite needles for what... a little over a week? I am sad to say that they aren't all that great.
After a week, the clear tips snapped off on both needles, and are not able to be repaired. I am so disappointed!
I emailed Clover, who is the company that is listed on the package, and asked them for either a replacement or a refund.
I received an email in response, and this is all they said:

Unfortunately, Our KnitLite needles have been discontinued. Here is the manufacturer's information :
Widget Products, Inc
402-933-1003
widgetproducts@yahoo.com
Thank you and have a nice day.

I have not yet tried to contact Widget Products (I will be, though)...but I must say I was surprised and disappointed in the response I received from Clover. Their name is on the needles, and I think they should back them up.

Needless to say, I will NOT be investing in any more of these needles.

I think the idea is SUPER...I love being able to knit in the dark!!! But not if the needles are going to fall apart after a week of normal use, and for almost $9 a pair. I will definitely not get any more, NOR will I recommend them.

Bummer.

Who invented Peanut Butter?

Tonight we had soup for dinner...it is still below zero outside, and I am freezing. Soup sounded good on a freezing day! After dinner, as I was enjoying some saltine crackers with peanut butter....yummy...
I asked DH who invented it? He didn't know and doesn't care. LOL
But I had to go look it up...what on earth did we ever do before the plethora of information that be found with just the click of a button on the internet???
So - here is my bit of thoughts (and nonsense) for the day...
And I quote (from about.com):

"Peanut butter was invented and reinvented many times during history. Peanuts were known as early as 950 B.C. and originated in South America. The ancient Incas used peanuts and were known to have made it into a paste-like substance. As a crop peanuts emigrated from South America to Africa by early explorers and then traveled by trade into Spain who then traded the product to the American colonies. The first commercial peanut crop was grown in Virginia in the early to mid 1840's and in North Carolina beginning around 1818.

According to the Corn Products Company, Dr. Ambrose Straub of St. Louis patented a peanut butter-making machine in 1903 and some unknown doctor invented peanut butter in 1890.

Dr. John Harvey Kellogg patented a "Process of Preparing Nut Meal" in 1895 and used peanuts. Kellogg served the patients at his Battle Creek Sanitarium peanut butter. Joseph Lambert worked for Dr. Kellogg and began selling his own hand-operated peanut butter grinder in 1896. Almeeta Lambert published the first nut cookbook, "The Complete Guide to Nut Cookery" in 1899.

By 1914, many companies were making peanut butter.

Joseph L. Rosenfield invented a churning process that made smooth peanut butter smooth. In 1928, Rosenfield licensed his invention to the Pond Company, the makers of Peter Pan peanut butter. In 1932, Rosenfield began making his own brand of peanut butter called Skippy which included a crunchy style peanut butter.

Agricultural chemist, George Washington Carver discovered three hundred uses for peanuts and hundreds more uses for soybeans, pecans and sweet potatoes. He start popularizing uses for peanut products including peanut butter, paper, ink, and oils beginning in 1880. The most famous of Carver's research took place after he arrived in Tuskeegee in 1896. However, Carver did not patent peanut butter as he believed food products were all gifts from God. The 1880 date precedes all the above inventors except of course for the Incas, who were first. It was Carver who made peanuts a significant crop in the American South in the early 1900's.

After all peanut butter is just roasted peanuts crushed into a paste. One-half of all edible peanuts produced in the United States are used to make peanut butter and peanut spreads." (end of quote)

So, now I KNOW who invented it. Interesting, I think. I also think that the reason that George Washington Carver did not seek a patent for peanut butter because his belief that all food products were a gift from God is equally interesting. (And I agree with that sentiment.)

Of course - I just remembered that there is a big recall of things that have peanut butter in them. So be careful when you enjoy it. And I just hope I'm not recalled...

So now you know why my blog is called LoopyKnitters"thoughtsandnonsense".

Stay warm and happy!

third (and last) post for the day...

Some days I don't post at all...and some days...like today...I forget about the stuff I wanted to post, so I end up with several posts in a day...
Just have to share what one of our neighbors, Lloyd - gave to us for Christmas. It was our first Amaryllis bulb, that he had started for us. We have really been enjoying this beautiful touch of spring...looking forward to it finally blooming. There are piles of snow, and a myriad of icicles outside, and below zero temperatures, and here is this simple gift that has brought much joy, just in the anticipation of waiting for it to bloom.
We have really enjoyed this simple, and very thoughtful, gift.

LOST

Ok...anybody out there a "Lost" fan? I wasn't until last year, when a friend of mine loaned me the first season on DVD's to watch - and then I ended up borrowing the other seasons and watching those too. I was (and am) hooked! Season 5 just started on Wednesday night, and I recorded it, because we were not going to be home.
It looks like Season 5 is going to be really good!
The show can be confusing...and mysterious....but that's the beauty of it...
My 25 yr old son loves it too!!!
So.....how many other "LOST" addicts are there out there????

Sweetheart Washcloths

I finished a pair of the Sweetheart Washcloths I was knitting. They are so cute! I mentioned the pattern in two previous posts.
There are a breeze to make, and will make nice little gifts.
We are back to our sub-zero temperatures again for a few days, at least. We had a brief reprieve when the temps actually got up into the teen's and twenties. I even went without my coat one day! :o)))) It was wonderful while it lasted! I am looking forward to spring!!!!!!!!!

another baby ruffle hat finished

I finished another Baby Ruffle Hat the other day for granddaughter-to-be #2. The pattern is so easy, and so cute. I love, love, love it.
I love the way the Bernat Baby Jacquard yarn 'self-patterns'. I think it is really cool, and nice yarn to work with!
Now I am working on some "Sweetheart Washcloths" for Valentine's day gifts. The pattern is by Susan B Anderson. They are quick, easy and really cute!!!! I just love Susan's patterns. Really clear and easy to follow, and always so cute.

Have a good Tuesday tomorrow!!

Knit Lite Needle Review

I have seen the needles in Michael's called "Knit Lite" - the ones that light up at the tip so you can knit in the dark, or see the stitches better when working with dark colored yarn...and never tried them.

Last night DH & I were coming home...long, boring, drive... at night. I made him stop at Michael's on the way and I finally bought a pair to try. These needles are way cool. Love them. I was a happy camper, for sure.

They only had the long length (14") (I prefer shorter needles) but they are easy to knit with, smooth, a nice pointy tip, and I didn't find them too heavy at all. I knit all the way home, and was thrilled with them. I plan on gradually investing in them, although I will probably go for the 9" length. They can be found Here and this website also carries lighted crochet hooks.

I ordered the pattern for Sweetheart Dishcloths that Susan B. Anderson designed. These washcloths look so sweet!!! I am looking forward to making some for the grand babies due to arrive this spring, and for Valentine's day too...of course. Susan is a talented designer, and comes up with some of the most adorable patterns! Thanks for another 'sweet' pattern, Susan!

It has been BITTER cold! The wind chills are 35 - 45º below zero today and tomorrow, and we have had sub zero temps for at least a week or more now. Ugh!

My Mom has such a sense of humor...she lives in sunny (and warm) California, and she called me and left a voice mail saying she had some 'news' she wanted to share with me.

The "news" was.... 'I thought I would let you know it is 70º outside, and it got so hot, we had to leave the back door open...'. she is such a witty person... and a big stinker!!! I called her back and she was so amused with herself.... she can make me laugh, for sure.

Stay warm!

Ruffle hat finished

I finished one more small project I started back in September, and then left sitting.
It turned out really cute, I think. It was done in Bernat Baby Jacquards yarn, and the pattern was on the paper sleeve wrapped on the yarn.
It is called "Ruffle Hat" and has two patterns - one in crochet and one in knit. I chose the knit version, and used the same colorway that the pattern was shown in...not very original, but I liked the color so much! The pattern is very simple, and looks really cute on my 'model' (one of the dolls that my girls outgrew).
So far, The New Year's Resolution is going well. I have to decide what 'hibernating' project to finish next...
It has been bitter cold here for several weeks now! My least favorite thing about this cold weather is ICE. So far, just about everyone I know has taken a spill on the ice, including me. Ouch. I have to get some of those ice gripper things that you can slip on over your shoes. I...hate....ice.
I am listening to Josh Groban right now. What a voice. The CD is not new...but I never really listened to it all the way through before last week. I love it. What a voice! (oh...said that already??)
Happy Monday!

New year - new start

I can't believe it is 2009! I can remember when I thought the 1990's seemed like they were a gazillion years away...I hadn't even thought about the 2000's...
My only resolution that I made (because I usually don't keep the resolutions I make. Is there anyone that does???) is to actually try and FINISH some of the projects that I had started already. So far, so good, but the year is young yet.
I finished a couple of 'Garter Stitch Loop-Through Scarves' from the book "101 Designer One-Skein Wonders". Each of the scarves were for gifts. One I did with Bernat Baby yarn in a beautiful pink...it turned out so nice and soft and squishy! The other I did in Red Heart Soft (worsted) in a cheery red, also soft and warm. Each one of the scarves were in the intended recipient's favorite colors, so I hope they enjoy them. They were a cinch to make. Quick and easy.

I also made a scarf and a hat for Hailey for Christmas. She seemed to love them...and they look cute on her! The hat pattern is one called 'Double Quick Knit Roll Brim Hat' - that I have used over and over and over, and I love! It is easy...and a quick knit! Hailey wanted a scarf like her two Aunt Nicki and Aunt Kim have... the ones made with Fun Fur yarn. I used one strand of the Fun Fur held with a strand of knitting worsted, and just did a very simple pattern of double crochets.

After the holidays, I started working on some more projects that need to be finished. I finished a flannel blanket for DS & DIL's baby that is due the first part of February. I crocheted a ruffle edging around it. I like it...it will be nice and cozy for the new baby.
I have another one to finish for them, and then a couple for my DD's baby, that is due in May. I am so excited about my grandbabies!!!! I can hardly wait to spoil them!!!
I also finally finished a little knit lamb that I made for DS & DIL's baby - I used a Fuzzy Mitten pattern designed by Barbara Prime. The Lamb pattern is free on her website. I liked it so much that I got her book with other little knit animals. The lamb was pretty easy, and is too cute!!!!
Now I am working on finishing the 'Tiramisu' baby blanket the DIL asked me if I would make for the baby. It's all single crochet, so it's going to take me a little longer. I am about a third of the way done with that.
Other news... DH has a sister! We knew about her, but DH had never met her, and didn't know where to look for her...and I guess she has also looked for him over the years, but she didn't know where to look for him...and long story short...one of her children saw one of our son's website, and his picture, and his name, and thought there was a strong family resemblance... and last Wednesday, Sue (DH's sister) surprised DH with a visit/reunion!!!
It was a wonderful surprise!!!! And a miracle that they have found each other! We had a great visit...they have many, many years to catch up on!!!! Our family just got bigger, and its so great for DH to have found his sister after all these years!!! God answers prayers!!!!
'til next time...
Lissa