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Feel Good Knitting

Today was the kind of day that gives you that sense of feeling really good about being a knitter!  The time when you realize what a community of knitting is all about.  Here in Sun City Hilton Head
our knitting group has come together to support women of our community who are dealing with Breast Cancer.  It is heart warming to see how so many knitters are willing to give of their time to make something special for someone they don't even know!  And for some learning a new technique is not easy - in fact it is a daunting task!  The first step for these students was learning how to knit on the magic loop.  What is that you ask - well most of them were not sure what the heck that is either! When I explained that they would complete their entire hat and socks on one circular needle they were very skeptical as to how this could possibly be done.  At first they were all thumbs but after many hours of knitting and ripping (all knitters can identify with that technique) the colorful chemo caps emerged from their needles.  Yesterday was the second  in the series of magic loop classes and everyone was very excited to knit the beautiful socks made from super soft Debbie Bliss Cashmerino.  Again, these socks were to be knit on one magic loop needle from the toe all the way up to the cuff!  It was a joy to watch these dedicated women carefully cast each stitch onto their magic loop needle with Judy Becker's Magic Cast On.  For those of you who knit, this is truly a magical technique that takes lots and lots of practice but is well worth the effort.  I watched in amazement as they cast on their stitches over and over  until the stitches looked perfect and they were happy with their results.  "After all" one of the knitters said, "we want these socks to look as beautiful as they can." 


 

   Carefully and diligently they knitted away chatting to their neighbor and stopping give help to someone who was not so quick to grasp the technique.  Suddenly before their eyes they saw the sock begin to emerge.  It always amazes me what wonderful things you can make from sticks and strings!  Unfortunately we are expecting that we will be giving out more gift bags then we would like- but we are hopeful that the love and compassion that is knitted into every item will be felt by the recipient.  Maybe even a little magic of healing will be transferred from the community of women who knitted these items to all of the women who will be receiving the gift bags.  Women they don't know personally but none the less they feel in their hearts!

Italian Night!

I admit - I am obsessive!  There I have agreed with my husband.  He is always saying that I don't just do things until they are finished - I keep doing & doing & doing!  I know this is one of my biggest faults but most times it does bring good results.  In fact he will not be complaining at dinner tonight as I have made one of his favorites which has been perfected by doing over & over & over.  Cooking is my other compulsion after knitting.  My friends will surely tell you that when they come to my house for any occasion the food is more than plentiful.  I guess it is my Italian upbringing.  I never want anyone to go away hungry or wishing for something else. My sister and brother often laugh at this since we are all cut from the same cloth!  Anyway tonight is Italian night.  Since I had a busy day which started with 1 1/2 hours at the gym and then some test knitting I knew I didn't have time to make the gravy (sauce to those of you who are not Italian) from scratch - but the meatballs are a must.  My siblings and I do not eat anyone's meatballs but our own.

Meatball ready to be cooked
Cooked in Olive Oil!
After all - there can be strange things added to meatballs.  I was taught to make meatballs by my Irish grandmother - Gertrude - who married into an Italian family.  She and her husband Daniel had six children and as a young Irish bride she learned to make all his favorites.  She taught me her secrets when I was a teenager and I loved to spend time cooking with her.

De-glazing the pan with wine!  Can't leave all the good stuff behind!
Add it to the sauce!

So this afternoon I made one of Joe's favorites and he will not be complaining about my compulsive behavior tonight. In fact - I hear him in the kitchen and I know that he is eating the meatballs right out of the pot!!!
Cooking away - almost ready for dinner!

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY - LOTS OF BENEFITS!!!

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!!  I am really excited but not for the reasons you may think.  Yes I do love the Pittsburgh Steelers - after all I did live in Pittsburgh for almost 10 Years.  But my love of Super Bowl Sunday of course has to do with knitting and SALES!  My friend Bonnie and I love to check out the sales - especially at a small yarn store in Hilton Head called the Courtyard.  Every year on Super Bowl Sunday the owner Jennifer has an amazing sale in which the discount percentage is the same as that years number of the Super Bowl.  Yes - that is correct!  This year there was a 45% discount on all yarn in stock.  OMG - Bonnie and I had heart palpation's as we entered the store.  What should we look at first - should we bring a basket with us to hold our precious cargo - maybe a rolling cart would be better.  Should we concentrate on different yarns to look at - should we bring patterns with us - would our credit cards be able to cover the charges!!   And when all is said and done - how the heck are we going to get it all in the house without our hubbies having a heart attack.  I can already hear my husband - yes it is beautiful but where are you going to put it.  You can get the doors closed on the four floor to ceiling cabinets that I just installed for all of your stash.  Well we did make some smart purchases and we did not break the bank.  I bought some soft Sublime Luxurious Woolly Merino 







 to make a sweater and beautiful Noro King for a shawl I am designing.







Bonnie settled on some pretty baby yarn to make kimono's for the twin granddaughters that she is anxiously awaiting, as well as some Noro King to help knit my new design.   We both agreed that our day was a big success!

AND NOW IT BEGINS........