Intarsia Carriage

I have been wanting to do intarsia on my Silver Reed SK860. While looking on the web I found an article about the AG 40 intarsia carriage for the SK860. I thought 'Good!! There is one,' however I was unable to actually find one for sale. Or even a picture of one. 

I posted a 'wanted' ad on the machine knitting for sale lists. I received one reply that there was not an AG40, but that the AG30 would work with the SK860. It is for a bulky machine but the needles are the same size except for a very tiny difference in the hook size. I'm thinking that, if that is correct it will work on my machine. 

After searching on the web I was able to find a very over priced AG30.  But I went ahead & bought it & am now waiting for it to come. It was at Peter Smith's shop in CA so will probably have to pay custom fees when it gets here. Whew!! But if it works it will be worth the expense. 

Afghans For Afghans

The A4A program is starting a new campaign.  They want 100% wool hats, mittens, & socks. Be sure & go to their web site to read all the details. The link is on the left of my blog. No sweaters or vests this time around. I really did like making the sweaters the best. 

Erik & Erika

He will be 2 in June & she will be 1 in August. 

Last Years New Years Resolutions

How did you do with last years resolutions?? I didn't do too bad. I finished a big box of children's sweaters for the Women's Shelter. As for my resolution to lose weight, I lost the same 10 lbs several times!! LOL I sent 2 wool sweaters to the Afghans for Afghans program. I have 5 pair of socks that I will send this week. (Better late than never) Used up one whole bin of worsted & sport weight yarns. (Still have lots to go.) I managed to keep from buying boxes of new yarn, so I didn't do too bad. This is the first year in I can't tell you how long, my stash has actually been reduced rather than gotten bigger. 

My goal for this year is to make a box of children's sweaters for the Clothing Bank. Maybe lose that 10lbs a few more times + more. 

I am keeping my fingers crossed that my store with do better. Since the economy went south my store has been limping along. I am only doing about half of what I did the first 6 years that I was open.  

Here's a sweater that I made for my granddaughter. I made a pair of long pants to go with it. It is a size 2 (she is 5 months right now) so she won't be wearing it for a while.  The yarn is a sport weight & embroidered very nicely on my Brother 750D. I am looking for more yarn like this in my stash as my DIL liked it & would like a couple more outfits made from it. 

Our Little Lady is Here!!!

Our little girl has finally arrived!! 'Fashionably late' as some would say. She is happy & healthy & her big brother loves her sooo much. Hug her, kiss her, poke her in the eye. LOL She is doing well at home & is being breast fed like her brother. Mom & Dad say this is the last. Too expensive to raise kids. Hopefully she isn't allergic to wool & will be able to wear the clothes that her brother couldn't. 

On another note, Mom is a school teacher & with the present economy she is wondering if she will have a job to go back to. I am afraid that things are going to get much worse for all of us. I don't believe that the recession is over at all. Dad is a truck driver & is getting minimal work as freight is down. No one has money to buy other than the necessities so not alot is moving. 

I have been busy with my charity sweaters. This is a size 2 raglan made with Red Heart Soft Baby. short rowed neck with grafted neckband.

Size 6 with RH Soft Baby Drop shoulder with short rowed neck & grafted sleeves & loop through loop bind off. 

Size 4 RH SuperSaver drop shoulder, grafted neckband & sleeves with the loop through loop bind off. 

I have been so busy volunteering & doing other things that I have neglected my blog. I still have a few projects planned. I want to make some of the cloth baby shoes that I saw on another blog. I want to make some sweaters for the clothing bank here in town. Also, need to start on the baby clothes that I promised the shelter. 

I haven't been able to find out for sure, but I think the 'Afghans for Afghans' program has ended. I went to the website to check & see what they wanted knitted up, but there is no information as to the current needs. Also, the blog has been deleted. I am going to do some more investigating & see what is out there accepting donations. I know 'World Vision' does, but they don't want wool garments. Only acrylic. As far as I know 'A4A' is the only one that takes wool. & I have lots of that!! If anyone has any information that they would be willing to share with me, I am all ears.

UPDATE

Afghans for Afghans is still in business.  The 'Knit Along' Blog is up & running.