Kathy Norris Designs

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

Posted on July 27, 2011 by knittingmuse

The mass-marketed-plastic-type knitting loom has changed. Meet Boye looms

At first glance, you can see the colors have changed. Closer look and you will notice the pegs are different. But there are some major changes also.

For the round looms, the 2 looms with odd number of pegs (they were yellow with 41 pegs and red with 31 pegs) now have even numbers (now are pink with 40 and light blue with 30).

But the changes I like the best are on the long looms. If you are working a single knit project, you not longer have to turn the loom to change sides.

Goes like this:

First remove the end pegs -

and separate the two sides of the loom.Then slide one end inside the other (you’ll tell the difference when you have the loom in front of you).

Insert pegs to hold the two side in place and you have a long rake instead of knitting board.What do you think?

Posted in loom knitting, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Progress….

Posted on July 15, 2011 by knittingmuse

Two new loom knit patterns have been finalized. Both can be access directly by clicking on the photo below. Or if you want to browse, click on the “loom knit patterns” option above or to the right.

Felted Sock Monkey Slippers (my favorite)

and Duffie – the mini duffel bag.

More to come.

It is so nice to make progress on the little things.

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Popping in to share a link to a blog I just (less then an hour ago) noticed. The Bloggess Funny! But with language…just sayin’ in case you prefer not to read it. I think she’s great. Especially this post.

We’re hanging in there – one more chemo session and we’ll find out how it’s going. I’m knitting some…but yard work and pool maintenance have become my chores (additional chores) so busy, busy….leaving little time for anything else. However…pool is definitely worth the extra effort during this 100 plus degree temps we’ve had.

Hopefully next blog post will include new patterns (just need a little more editing…)

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“C” isn’t always for cookie

Posted on May 13, 2011 by knittingmuse

Sorry to say, “C” can also be for cancer.

On Feb 26th, my husband underwent an endoscopic procedure for what was thought to be an ulcer. While he was in recovery, I was told that a tumor was present in the esophagus along with suspicious places in the stomach which had been biopsied. Two days later, we received the telephone call that it was in fact esophageal cancer. Within 2 weeks, we had worse news – stage IV and inoperable. During the 3rd week after, a chemo port was surgically implanted and the first chemo treatment was started.

It has now been almost 3 months and a few chemo treatments later. I believe I can finally blog about it without panic setting in. Well, mostly.

Anyway, this is the real truth behind my silence online. We are managing but time is something that has become too precious to spend many moments on the computer so bear with me.

On a positive note: I was able to ship designs off to Leisure Arts for my next publication (due to be published in early 2012). I cannot thank Cheryl and Susan enough for their understanding during what was an overwhelming time for us.

What’s coming next? I am designing again. And maybe I can actually edit and publish this pattern on line…

It was finished last January. And like always….paperwork is my downfall.

Posted in books, family, loom knitting, patterns, Uncategorized, WIP | 5 Comments

Haha

Posted on April 16, 2011 by knittingmuse

I’m still here…busy with life and book knitting. But did think you might enjoy….

Thanks Monica! I needed a laugh

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Child’s Play

Posted on March 6, 2011 by knittingmuse

Creative Knitting special edition – Child’s Play was recently published. And in it, is my design for a cowboy hat. Isn’t the model adorable?

Posted in knitting, patterns, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

February….

Posted on February 25, 2011 by knittingmuse

Not much time as been spent online during February…so no blogging.

Many things going on in our household including loom knitting for a new Leisure Arts publication. So hang in there with me!

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

FO Friday

Posted on January 28, 2011 by knittingmuse

There has been progress on the UFO’s and the knit-from-stash!

The crocheted scarf is finally finished! YAY!

This poor scarf has been a UFO for over 3 years. That is embarrassing – 3 year UFO sweater is acceptable but a scarf? Anyway, yarn is discontinued-but-I-do-love-the-color Moda Dea Dream. Used up all 3 skeins (whew). I think it makes a nice scarf for next fall (hopefully will have a hat to match from different stashed yarn of close-to-same-color).

I’m starting to enjoy the challenge of finding or designing a pattern for yarn in my stash. I have a bunch of those onesy/twoesy skeins. Fingerless mitts has become my fall back item for these skeins – which is actually useful as my daughter has Raynaud’s Syndrome and gloves/mitts is a necessary part of her wardrobe. Just finished Fetching for her.

I used another discontinued yarn – Main Line (Knit Picks). Turns out that this cotton/wool blend is very warm! Should have known that the wool content would have upped the warmth factor of cotton. Must remember to use wool blends for all her mitts.

Should have another UFO finished by next Friday – this one is loom knit. I’m on a roll!

Posted in crochet, knitting, Uncategorized, WIP, yarn | 6 Comments

2011 Goals

Posted on January 21, 2011 by knittingmuse

I try to think of things I want to accomplish during the New Year as goals rather then resolutions. Somehow “goal” seems more forgiving…just in case I slip up.

This year started off with no thought toward any goals. But after signing a new book contract 2 weeks ago, a high-alert-signal was generated by my brain…which, in turn, caused an overwhelming need to get organized before the boxes of book yarn arrive.

With day-to-day *real* life as organized as I can get it, I started on my little studio/office space. As I worked on it, I started to feel this flood of torment at the sight of the un-used yarn sitting in bins/shelves, and the numerous projects unfinished.

There it is…the goals for 2011 – 1) finish or frog UFO’s and 2) bust the stash (knit from stash)…’cause this is really getting out of hand. I believe I make this statement frequently. Maybe, this year….I’ll really give it a go.

Goal #1 – find and identify all UFO’s. That in itself caused a problem as I “lost” a crochet project that was started before the move. Then as I put my feet on the ottoman one evening for a little knitting….

AHA! Yep, there it is.

Really, it’s just a scarf…no idea why it’s taking so long – but it is.

Next I picked what I want to finish first. 3 UFOs top the list…one small since it’s an easy take-along while waiting at bowling and dance (the not-lost-any-longer crochet scarf). Then there is an almost done loom knit sweater design (just needs sleeves)….

Next is an easy-knit sweater for when brain is on overload…

The remaining UFO’s have been contained onto a shelf in my studio where I can see them and feel the guilt. Hopefully motivation to finish will stay strong. And perhaps with my eye on them daily, none will wander away and hide themselves in the ottoman.

Goal #2 – Knitting from stash. While it would be nice to dive into it as I have several patterns I want to do, I’m waiting until Goal #1 is well underway. Need to finish the quick and easy UFOs before starting new project….’cause if I start knitting/crocheting from stash now, it will mean more UFOs….which really defeats the purpose of #1, right? Vicious circle.

But that doesn’t keep me from looking at possible patterns for all the Sugar ‘n Cream that just had to be purchased at such a great discount, right? Or the left-over-from-other-project skeins. Possible candidates include this rug - Or this fridge padlock and chain (love it)