telephone tester/ hearing loss and phones.

A few years back I was at a Hearing Loss convention in Orlando . I was speaking with a representative from a phone company and signed up to be a phone tester. Every year I get a new set of phones so my collection of phones is getting larger!

These two came in the mail last week. My task is to try them out and then decide which one I want to keep. This time around the survey form took about 10 minutes so not much work involved besides setting them up and figuring them out. My phone expertise is becoming exceptional and even the bathrooms have phones..

They know I use hearing aids but when attempting to use both of these it was impossible. .grrrrrr- they are not hearing aid compatible so can't hear the dial tone over the annoying interference hummmmm buzzzz......caused by my hearing aids. s

I did choose to keep the VTech because I discovered that the speaker phone is loud and clear so I can use this phone in that mode.

It is is ironic that I am a tester..I depend on reading lips and visual cues so phones make me nervous.No phone is ever perfect for me because some voices just don't register in my brain . The noise is heard but brain can't decipher what is being said especially with deep male voices and accents.

Recently this helpful and free site was discovered:

http://www.hamiltoncaptel.com/.

Using any phone and computer I can read what is being said by the other person. I use it to call doctors, business or other calls that may not be clear . You still hear on the phone but can use the captions if you are missing sections. You can even print the conversation.

The annoying part of this like my cap tel phone ( I no long use because the screen is not as big and clear like this http://www.hamiltoncaptel.com/ is that there is a delay in waiting to read what the person is saying. I have become a speed reader after all the reading of closed captions on TV but the person/computer who types needs a few seconds so a delay.

Hot pink mitts

not blocked yet..label says hand wash but never blocked rabbit ?

When at St John's on the knitting cruise this hot pink angora from Fleece Aridest caught my eye. I thought they would make adorable lacy mitts for Christmas presents. This yarn has 20% nylon with the angora so my thinking was that it would have some give to it but not really.!I started several mitt patterns but was not happy with the results so went back to my old standby.Because my yarn was a different gauge the pattern was major modified using 40 to cast on and the ribbing was increased. Pray the second one ends up matching this one!I have not used dpn's in awhile and had trouble with all these ladders showing up in the mitt even though stitches were moved around and were tugged at between dpn's. Maybe I tugged too much? These are going to Liz.

Wendy Johnson's fingerless mitts ( free ravelry pattern if you don't have her book)http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fingerless-mitts-2

Fleece Artist Angora is ......
Oh so soft and warm but not fun to knit or frog . All that fuzzy bunny stuff sticks together

Scrunchable Black scarf done

Someone forgot to close the computer!
Misty Baby Alpaca - very soft and hairy!
Scrunchable Scarf
my feline assistant loves alpaca!

This Scrunchable Scarf was handed over to my son yesterday. This is a no- brainer- very easy pattern that looks impressive !.

happy halloween

Wed on the way to knitting this red tailed hawk was devouring some unfortunate critter. Good thing Stinky is an indoor cat!

I ( slightly)miss being on school on days like today. Halloween was one of my favorite days to dress up and have fun with the kids .Pumpkins and Halloween theme were tied in math and reading lessons so kids ( and teacher) were motivated . All the candy corn and goodies added to the festivities. Instead -DH and I went to Walmart to get stocked up for the month like a couple of old farts. DH mentioned that it was slightly depressing seeing all the old people there (of course- he didn't mean us ). All the employees were in costumes and at the local restaurant where we stopped to eat.

Knitting is finishing the black scarf my son has asked for the last year. I had started an Irish Hiking Scarf several times this year but each time I ripped it out because of width or yarn . Last week I got half the scarf done in some Knit Picks Peruvian wool but it became work and not fun so it was sent to UFO pile. Maybe it was the pattern with cables using black yarn making it hard to see work? This week some Misty black baby alpaca was found in stash so another scarf started. Ravelry had an easy pattern where all I do is *K2 P1* and it is looking perfect for a male. This one is half done and working up much faster. My son never asks for anything and is the sweetest kid a mom could ask for so don't know why this has taken me so long ? Pictures will be posted to celebrate completion!

Next on the needles will be some fingerless mitts using the angora yarn purchased in St John's at Cricket Cove Yarn Shop.

small baby stuff with my feline assistant

These were done last two nights while watching tv. They are practice ones because they turned out very tiny and with a messy button loop. I love to knit but hate to sew( especially buttons) but they are so damn cute - .

The pattern does not suggest how to make button holes so a crochet chain was used. The results look crappy so last night I found a group just for these on Ravelry with suggestions and visual links to make button loops.

The whole pattern is similar to an EZ pattern where the designer assumes the knitter knows more than I do.
Stinky helping me take photos...rearranging stuff..

This hat is the Umbilical Hat from Stitch N Bitch book to match the BSJ. It too came out rather small.But maybe newborn babies are that small? I have not been close to one in( 27) years.

sorry .....Photos are not in correct order but bet you can figure them out.. Every time I drag on my computer freezes up. There must be an easier way. oh is there a way to download several pictures at same time from my computer/disk. I hold the control button down and highlight them but that is not working so have to do each one individually...

Can you believe schools were delayed/closed here today . First it was an early ice that put power out in several places( not us ) but now several inches of snow expected so they stayed closed. brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

How I spent my Friday night!

Stayed up till 1 am to finish this Plymouth Top Down Jacket. I have not steam blocked it yet and still looks adorable. What a fun little project! It took less that one skein for Encore Worsted. I may have enough left to use on Saartjes booties http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/saartjes-bootees . This delightful pattern will be used many times in future.

early Christmas present

yes- The new Addi Click interchangeable set is pre -ordered...Thank you- Sue!!! I am on the second list so don't know when they will arrive but hopefully around the holidays. Each LYS only gets 10 at first and then don't know what happens after that so I may have a very long wait. I love my Knit Picks but curious to try these out. For some reason -I never have enough needles . Maybe it has something to do with UFO"S?

It is Friday already. Where did this week go?

DH spent the whole week getting rid of the tons of leaves in our yard. Me- I don't know what I have been doing except picking up and doing wash. brrrr it is too cold outside for me ( 30-40's)Yesterday was a bus trip to Westchester Dinner theater to see the Producers. Of course, I knit the whole way on trip. I am making another hat to match the BSJ. The Norwegian Baby one looks huge!

Finally- the Top Down Baby Jacket - Encore Worsted 1354 was started. I have one skein of yellow for newborn size and hope it is enough. My generous blog pal Sue from NJ sent me this pattern . It is easy and looks adorable so far. It knits quickly using the Encore Worsted. After doing much lace this is a joy to see such quick progress.

speaking of Sue from NJ ...She told me about this new set from Addi.( bad, bad influence hahahaha)

w0w some projects are done!

Here is the Slow Bee shawl . I stopped at clue 4 and did a different bind off. It ended up slightly weird shaped but still pretty. Major issue occurred with cat getting hold of it and making a big hole. I sewed it up somehow is not too noticeable.


My knitting friends in St. John's (Canada) after shopping at wonderful Cricket Cove Shop (notice the polka dot bags full of Fleece Artist yarns) I am on the right top of moose with dark sunglasses.
Peggy's Cove was the prettiest place we visited on the cruise!

my very modified Slow Bee Mystery shawl - DH says it looks like a Batman cape! this needs to be blocked again because too many points.
EZ's BSJ done... The shoulder seams may need to be redone to make it looser about baby's neck . It looks small to me but maybe can do it after a baby tries it on.

This was practice Norwegian baby Hat( search Ravelry) another is being made to match the BSJ

back from the Cruise.

I am back from the cruise after having a fun week filled with shopping, knitting friends and sight seeing. Our group made 6 yarn shop adventures with the Cricket Cove in St John's and Windsor Button of Boston getting lots of my money. While my room mates spent their money on drinks and the spa - mine went exclusively on addictive Fleece Artist, Malabrigo and Sublime and several other gorgeous yarns. I can't afford or need to go to another yarn shop for next 5 years!
Tomorrow I will post more details and photos. Right now Stinky and Molly need my attention for next few hours. The Boy is still away golfing at a college reunion in Florida so I must put away (hide) these purchases before he gets here.

another knitting cruise

BSJ half way done

Stinky has found a new spot to sleep. If my laptop is not closed -I find him passed out on it.

Maybe the keyboard is warmest place in the 60 degree house these days. Maybe he just wants me to stop knitting this shawl and give him attention? The computer to read and enlarge the charts for Slow Bee Mystery shawl.

Still getting ready to leave Sunday for the New England /Canada knitting cruise. After this post my next task is to get the knitting bag packed and along with all ( some) of those clothes piled on my suitcase. I have been knitting like mad woman on slow bee mystery shawl to have it for the cruise but don't think it will be done . I have 2 more rows of chart 4 and then 8 rows for border and then casting off. Each row takes me up to an hour along with doing purl so that is another 10-12 hours of knitting where I have total concentration and no distractions.
When I can't concentrate I turn to the baby blanket which I had major frogging to do yesterday - not so mindless at all if not paying attention.
My 2nd Baby Surprise jacket was started : If you decide to make it ; the Ravelry forum / group dedicated to this helps mucho!! Without the DVD or this group it would be very difficult to decipher EZ pattern.

Mexican Hat Sweater
Pattern
Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann

Size
6 - 12 mos.


Needle
US 6 / 4.0 mm
Yarn
Schoeller + Stahl Limbo Mexiko Color

3 skeins = 405.0 yards (370.3m)
Colorway
2529

About this pattern
Baby Surprise Jacket
by Elizabeth Zimmermann
from The Opinionated Knitter

My next post will include knitting cruise fun . The yarn shops at Boston and Halifax are on my to-do list.What could be more fun than traveling with your knitting friends and sharing adventures with another 75 fiber addicts . Oh and being able to travel when they have the cheapest rates. ..My life is wonderful with knitting, good friends ,being retired and most important a supportive, loving family.

introducing my new grandchild

due April 12- sex unknown yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I am so excited..

Stinky still loves lace

Yesterday after the knitting photos were taken Stinky snuck up to snuggle on my lace...what a funny cat! Stinky keeps me entertained.

If you want to make cute and cheap sock blockers go to: http://simpleknitsjo.blogspot.com/ She is so creative and resourceful!

I went to the mall yesterday because DH had to go to Dicks for something for golf . At Border's they had the new Mason Dixon book which looks real interesting. With book in hand I headed towards the cashier but stopped suddenly as the complete price of 29.99 was noticed..! Trying to practice my new economic saving restraint the book was placed back on the shelf. When it is reduced somewhere or with next Border's coupon this book is on top of my list. But the full price will not be paid.. Now if I can continue to have this self control; we will see.

What's being knitted?

This is the slow Bee Mystery Shawl extracted from ufo pile
Beads and 7 charts going on at the same time make this challenging. Half of clue 4 is completed with 6 more clues to go. Really not sure if I will get this done in near future but will plug along. But honestly -not putting my heart into it;not even frogging for some mistakes. Seriously thinking of making it shorter than it is because the posted photos show this huge shawl that I would never wear. Right now it is about the same size of the Forest Canopy unblocked but not sure if this silk will block as big as the Knit Picks Gloss.
This is one skein of my sister's hand -dyed yarn that we call Woodstock.
This blanket will is for my future grandchild.It is cool how the basket weave pattern changes the colors.

This week these two projects have shared my attention. One is mindless but can get boring while the other is extreme opposite. Just wish I would get something finished!

economy worries

The present economy situation is so frightening . Everything is crashing down like dominoes one by one. The worry about my kids, my retirement and all the whole country makes this lump in my throat permanent..

9/23/08 Stinky's new blankie and KDO

see Stinky's new ugly blanket !
don't you love the big run that popped up after washing !

I spoke to a vendor at Knitter's Day Out that sells Plymouth yarn and she said she won't even carry this in her shop because it catches on everything and has no bounce- just limp! She encouraged me to contact Plymouth so I did. This is what I wrote:

I recently purchased around 15 skeins of your Oh My yarn while on vacation in North Carolina . This yarn looked so soft to make things for my first grandchild due . But I will never buy this again . I had to give the baby blanket I made to my cat it looked so limp and caught on everything. What a waste of money and time!My lys does not sell your brand but have heard good things about Encore.I bought some of that with patterns but not used yet? do you use that foam insert in all your yarns..sort of made me feel cheated with the amount you get.

This is their response..SO what do I do drive down to NC and find my receipt somewhere where I spent way too much for this yarn?? No -no just chalked it up to a learning experience to never ever use Oh My Yarn again!! Stinky does love his new blankie so that makes me feel less disgusted...

Dear Kathleen,
Thanks for your message and especially your interest in Plymouth Yarn.
We were surprised to hear about your experience with our Oh My! yarn. Plymouth Yarn stands behind all its yarns 100%. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, we ask you to contact your yarn shop of purchase for complete satisfaction. Encore is one of our best selling yarns and has been for more than 20 years.(my issue is not with this ; have not tried it yet)
Very few of our yarns have the foam insert and the reason for this is to support the yarn and to help keep it intact.
Sincerely,
Pattie

now on to the fun stuff

Knitter's Day Out is my favorite knitting event. It is cheap, not too far away and takes place in the fall weather . To top it off I get to spend precious time with my best friend and sister who got me hooked on knitting in the first place. Sorry -I was having too much fun with so much to carry to use a camera.

Knitting skills have improved vastly since the first KDO 3 years ago. This year no problems were found with the classes and understood everything that the teacher was saying. The first 2 years were a struggle but always learned many new things.

My shopping was limited as trying to use stash and save for next month's knitting cruise but still came home with a few things. My sister gave me this beautiful yarn she hand dyed . It is being used to make a baby blanket. She also lent me a few books with baby patterns that look like future projects especially the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino one.

This Everlyn Clark book was purchased too..http://www.knittersreview.com/article_book.asp?article=/review/reading/070906_a.asp

Knitter's Day Out/Simon

This weekend is the Knitter's Day Out Weekend. Two of my knitting friends and I are leaving tomorrow to go Friday night this year. Friday night classes have been added this year and I have one called Sock Party. I signed up for that a long time ago during my time of socks but have not completed a single pair this summer . I am interested the baby socks by Wendy Johnson in the recent Creative Knitting Magazine .

Sat I have a lace knitting class and then all afternoon to check the market out. Not sure if that is good or bad with trying to use up stash and cruise coming up soon. We are staying at my sister's and having one big party( think wine) so should be another great knitting adventure.



The Plymouth Baby blanket I made with the Oh My really is ugly now. I washed it tonight as it is machine washable in delicate cycle. A huge run is all the way down the blanket...so frustrating with all the time and money. I am not sure why this happened? It should go in garbage but will go in cat bed to make it softer just because I hate to waste all that money.



The slow Bee Mystery shawl has been pulled out to start again.Damn next time - leave some notes to myself about what the markers mean and where exactly I left off . I spent a few hours on Ravlery and reading past clues to get this straight. I am too tired to even start it but will try when I get back. I have to find the mental stamina to get back in the swing of it.



Sad news- one of the black pug puppies I bred died this week. The poor owner, Nicole is feeling so awful telling me tha the was th ebest dog she ever had and how she misses him so much. His name was Simon and he was was only 7 . Buddy was in ths same litter.She sent me pictures of him and he looks Magoo.

stash form NC

Thanks Sue for the pattern . The small size will be made because they only had one ball of this .

so here is what I found at the Knitting Addiction Store
This Plymouth Yarn called Jelly Bean planned to be used for a Baby Surprise Jacket
3 piece Baby set using Blue Sky Organic Yarn
this is to make a blanket ..The yarn is very soft and washable for babies so that is why it was chosen but hate this stuff!!! It is limp and has no bounce to it .I don't know what gives on why this blanket looks very tacky like with gaps and obvious places where new yarn is picked up. I am embarrassed to give it as a shower gift. Maybe it is me?
and what is this hidden inside the yarn ball? Every time I hit one of these it annoys me thinking It is deceiving thinking there is more yarn than provided. #%^! Ugly blanket ends up costing over 60$!