Not all sheep are safe to be sheered

No knitting content in this one...

Just thought I'd share this .... there's this new Sci/Fi Fantasy movie from New Zealand that just opened called "Black Sheep". Here's the synopsis taken from movietickets.com

Terrified of sheep and dosed up on therapy, Henry Oldfield returns to his family''s farm to sell out to his older brother Angus, unaware that something baaaad is going on: Angus'' reckless genetic engineering program. When a pair of inept environmental activists release a mutant lamb from Angus'' laboratory onto the farm, thousands of sheep are turned into bloodthirsty predators. Along with farmhand Tucker and the ''green''-minded young woman, Experience, Henry finds himself stranded deep on the farm as his worst nightmare comes to life. Battling their way to safety the intrepid trio discover there''s worse to come: one bite from an infected sheep seems to have alarming effect on those bitten. With Angus acting suspiciously sheepish, a delegation of international investors gathering at the homestead and a ravenous flock descending from the hills, Henry must find the farmer within to wrest control of the farm from his monstrous brother, defeat an ovine invasion and save New Zealand''s greener pastures.

I don't usually like blood and gore movies, but this just sounds funny and overthetop to me.

Where has the time gone

I started this blog so I'd have a place to catalog my projects and be able to post comments on other's blogs without being "anonymous". Makes for a boring blog though without regular posts. I should put more energy into this.

There may be a lack of posts, but I do have knitting progress to mention. (Camera's on the fritz so I don't have my own pictures). Here's what's been on my needles so far this summer:

• The Knit Cafe kids club skirt. I've finished this skirt for one of my 2-year old nieces and have another on the needles for her 6-year old sister. I'll probably make it for my other two nieces as well. I've been hitting the sale section of yarn shops for the yarn for this since so many of them are clearing out their novelty yarns.

• Beachcomber Tunic from Interweave Crochet - I'm not a big fan of crocheted garments, but love the combination of crochet and knit in this tunic. I swatched the crochet section in Euroflax Linen. But, I may end up doing this in Elann's Callista yarn.

• Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I used two different Koigu yarns for mine. I found knitting this was sort of addictive. It was so easy, but not boring at the same time.

• Three Tone Sweater from the The Yarn Girls Guide to Kid Knits. I used Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton (in blue, yellow and cream for a nautical look) instead of Manos del Uruguay as the pattern called for. I just couldn't see putting a baby in such a bulky yarn. The sweater is cute and a good summer weight.
• Panama cardigan from Rowan Cotton Braid collection. Still working on this one. I had such a hard time getting gauge with this yarn. I finally just casted on for a smaller size hoping that it'll work out in the end.
  
• The Cherry Leaf Shawl from Victorian Lace Today. I used Kaalund Classic Two yarn - a beautiful varigated 2-ply wool. I'm just starting the border now. This is a late Mother's Day gift for my Mom.

Of course, there more projects on my summer to do list. I have got to finish a couple of projects before I start on these:
- Stella from Black Dog Designs I'd like to make it using Lion Brand New Cotton-Ease. I have no idea yet whether I will get gauge, but like the idea of having this as a throw on kind of summer sweater. On the other hand, I might make the Ink Flared Sweater instead. In fact, I like all of her designs. What to do....
- Chevron Sweater from Erika Knight's Glamour Knits. I've picked out Euroflax Linen for this one. I'm just not totally sure about how it will look. I'd love to see it photographed on a woman (with a little more chest) in a standing position.

Well, that's it for now.

Spring into Summer

I don't know, but it seems like we may just skip right past spring and go straight to summer weather here in sunny southern California.

On Sunday it was in the 90's at home so a drive to the beach was in order. We set off for Malibu were it was in the high 80's. Of course I took some knitting with me for the drive through Malibu Canyon - some Habu for a mini spring shawl. Started and ripped it out though since my needles were too big for the project.

As expected, we hit traffic on Pacific Coast Hwy. and our favorite seaside fish stand was jam packed (Malibu Seafood). Since the line at Malibu Seafood was so long we decided to first stop off at the beach to let our son play a little. We didn't think to bring bathing suits so he had to just play on the shore. Still, it was fun. There was a school of dolphins swimming back and forth in front of the beach area we were at and even a seal swimming close to the shore near people in the surf (couldn't get a picture of the seal though).

After the beach we took a little hike on one of the trails near the highway then enjoyed fish and chips at the fish stand. It was a great day.

Knitters Anonymous

This is the funniest thing I've read about knitting since I first read Yarn Harlot's At Knit's End. Here's the quiz from the Knitters Anonymous website (not to be confused with Cookie A.'s blog). Visit the site and laugh!

Are you "hooked"? Take this quiz and see

Have you ever:

• decided to kick the habit only to "fall off the yarn wagon"?
• knit alone or first thing in the morning?
• gone on a knitting binge?
• had a craving for just a little yarn fix?
• been a pusher, turning others on, even minors, to this habit?
• experienced blackouts..finding yarn in your stash you swear you never bought?

Are you:

• an adult child of a knitter?
• living in denial...
  telling yourself you actually save money by knitting clothes and gifts?
  believing you can save on therapy bills by knitting?
• certain that you can quit any time you want?
• calling yourself a social or recreational knitter?
• Has your cat ever gotten "messed up" after getting into your stash again?
• Is your definition of a "needle exchange" different than that of non-knitters?

If you can answer yes to...

• 10 or more questions - you may be a knitaholic
• 8-9 questions - you may be a compulsive overknitter
• 6-7 questions - you may be a yarn junkie
• 4-5 questions - you may be a chronic social knitter
• 0-3 questions - you are living in denial or you're at the wrong web site!

And here's a picture of my beautiful Counterpane Bag (Handknit Holidays) I made from 3 skeins of Noro Silk Garden.

Add another project to my list

I'm not quite ready to knit my Malabrigo cardigan since I'm waiting for a replacement of 3 skeins I purchased. Turns out that I was sent 3 skeins of handspun rather than the 6-ply that I had ordered.

Anyway, this has given me time to think about spring and summer knitting projects. While surfing the web I found this very cute handbag kit from a shop in the UK called The Knit Tin. This kit comes with the yarn (Rowan Summer Tweed and Holiday), button, handles and pattern and is packaged in a cute tin. So adorable.

Malabrigo beauty

I just can't resist a new project even though I have several unfinished projects. It's just that I found this pattern I love and found the perfect yarn. I just purchased 9 skeins of the beautiful Malabrigo 6-ply merino yarn in the Loro Barranquero colorway. It's hard to tell in this picture, but it's a mix of very dark to light wine, deep yellow and a little beige in some places.

I'll be making "Nicole" from Debbie Bliss Book Seven. I'm so excited to get started on this. I just have to finish a model I'm knitting for my LYS and then I can make my new cardigan.


Interesting thing I learned about the yarn called for in the book -- Debbie Bliss Maya. This is actually the same yarn as Manos del Uruguay, but marketed under D.B.'s name. Apparently there was some controversy involved so Maya was removed from the American market (others too? I don't know). Anyway, my Malabrigo version will be absolutely gorgeous. I've done my swatch and I'm right on gauge so away I go!

Almost Forgotten

Yikes, I almost forgot all about my new blog. You know, life happens and certain things just get put to the side.

Anyway, I've been wanting to catalog my various knitting projects. So here goes:

2006 Unfinished Projects

1. Five pair of felted slippers for my little nieces, nephew and son.
2. Lady Eleanor stole from Scarf Style fame
   
3. Garter Stitch Shawl
4. Little Arrowhead Shawl (Interweave Knits staff projects)
   
5. Moss Stitch Koigu Scarf
   
6. Multi-yarn feather and fan wrap

2007 Projects Completed

1. Silk Garden Lite Shawl - this has been one of my favorite, throw on shawls
   
2. Top Dog - this was easy and so cute. I gave it to a friend at her baby shower.
3. Luxe Neck Warmer from Knit 2 Together. I love this book and the designer, Mel Clark.
   
4. House Socks for my son
5. Ribbon Shawl

I'll post some pictures of these soon.

That's all for now.