Tooty's Squooshie Blanket

I've published another pattern!  This one is my Squooshie blanket.  It's so soft and...well....squooshie!  The softness comes from a combination of single-color brioche stitches and garter stitch, giving the blanket that "favorite blankie" softness.  It's available for sale from my Ravelry store at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tootys-squooshie-blanket.  I hope you will give it a try.  This is my new favorite stitch!!

Another new pattern

A few days ago I saw a picture of the cutest little mug cozy online.  I decided to write up a pattern since none was available, and I've now posted it on my Ravelry account.  It's soooooo cute!

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tootys-mug-sweater-cozy

New Pattern Published!

I'm so excited!  I published my first knitting pattern on Ravelry today.  It's a Cabled Christmas Mini-Stocking. These mini-stockings may be used as silverware pockets for your holiday table, given as gifts (hide a small present or gift card inside), hung from your Christmas tree using a ribbon, crocheted loop, or small I-cord, or even joined together to make a lovely decorative garland.  The patterns are for sale and download  in my Ravelry store for $1.99.

I'm also working on a blanket pattern that uses brioche (among other things), and one with an interesting lace pattern as well.  I'll post about those when they are ready.

Meanwhile, I'll be teaching three courses starting in March:
(1)  My First Sweater
(2)  Baby Layette
(3) Knitters' Circle (the open knitting group).

It looks like things will begin to get busy this spring.  I'll try to post here more often, but you know how that goes.

What I've been up to

I've been having a blast making new knitted things and I made my first crocheted blankie from a pattern!  In the past I've always followed the "wing it" crochet method so this is a big step for me.  Of course the knitting is always fun, but my hand gets sore sometimes so I switch to crochet.  I've been selling some of my things at the local Farmers' Market, so (except for the heat and wind and occasional bird droppings) that has been fun.  I'm working on some toe-up lace socks right now (knitted) and a children's middy top (made from a converted 1916 pattern).  I've been making lots of fingerless gloves (crocheted and knitted) as well.

Realization

I've come to the realization that nothing I have to say is important enough to publish online for public consumption.  For now I shall refrain from opening my yap.  Just kidding, folks.  I've been spending my free time creating knitted and crocheted works of art or playing silly online games instead of posting here.

Scott Savol (American Idol Finalist Season 4) Continues to Inspire

I just listened to the above video (embedded from an article at http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-542678).  I continue to be impressed by this man's vocals.  Keep on keepin' on, Scott!  You are a real inspiration!!

The Genius of Dan Fogelberg

Daniel G. Fogelberg (08/13/1951 - 12/16/2007)

Today is the third anniversary of Dan Fogelberg's death from advanced prostate cancer at the age of 56.  His music lives on, and many people are listening today to the strains of "Leader of the Band" or looking for his song lyrics or biographical information on http://danfogelberg.com/index.html.  My favorite song of his was a lesser-known gem entitled "Run for the Roses."  I've pasted the lyrics at the bottom of this article.

I loved "Run for the Roses."  Now they only play it on Derby Day.  Since I grew up around the racetrack (my dad was a trainer and farrier and my brother was a jockey), I know the life, the smells, and the excitement very well.  The life of a racehorse isn't all glory and roses, and not all of them get to experience bluegrass pastures and retirement for breeding purposes after their racing careers are finished.  The poignancy of the race itself was reflected in Fogelberg's voice on that song.  If you listen hard, you can feel the strength and valor of the colts and fillies striving for the win, but you will also feel the pain of those horses whose lives are filled with quiet desperation.  They race their hearts out for their humans, yet many don't often experience the thrill of the win.  They eventually are relegated to lives of duty, escorting the racing "stars" as they train, offering themselves as transport for humans, for work or occasional recreational riding.  In the worst cases, they are abused, neglected, or abandoned, and their bodies may be sold for meat or worse.  I believe Fogelberg captured all those feelings in his voice and in the lyrics.  I don't know how close he was to the racing experience, but his genius lay in his empathy and the ability to bring those feelings to life.  May he rest in peace, but his music live forever.

Run For The Roses 

Born in the valley and raised in the trees 

Of Western Kentucky on wobbly knees 

With mama beside you to help you along 

You'll soon be a-growing up strong 

All the long, lazy mornings in pastures of green 

The sun on your withers, the wind in your mane 

Could never prepare you for what lies ahead 

The run for the roses so red 

(Chorus) 

And it's run for the roses as fast as you can 

Your fate is delivered, your moment's at hand 

It's the chance of a lifetime in a lifetime of chance 

And it's high time you joined in the dance 

It's high time you joined in the dance 

From sire to sire, it's born in the blood 

The fire of a mare and the strength of a stud 

It's breeding and it's training and it's something unknown 

That drives you and carries you home 

(Chorus)