Pick Up Sticks

Pick-up sticks  is a game of physical and mental skill. A bundle of 'sticks,' approximately 6-8 inches long, are held in a loose bunch (see the picture) and released on a table top, falling in random disarray. Each player, in turn, must remove a stick from the pile without disturbing the remaining ones.



As the August light starts to take on a new angle, my mind turns back to knitting.  I know it's time to end my summer break when I find myself lingering over the knitting magazines at the drug store.  This year it was a catalogue from "Mary Maxim"  (yes -- it still exists!) that got me perusing yarns and patterns , leaving my fingers itching to pick up the sticks again.

This is what caught my interest:

I made this style of sweater for my girls when they were young.  They loved them.  I know three little boys who would love them, too.  I'm not crazy about knitting kittens or puppies into them.  I think I'll search out some nordic patterns instead. 

Now that I've decided what to knit, I guess I'd better order this pattern book.  I've searched all over the internet and haven't found a "free" pattern for the sweaters.  (I wonder if they have the pattern for adults, too?)  Then I get to decide on colours and patterns to incorporate.  Oooh!   Fun!

In the meatime, I'll finish up a baby blanket I started last spring for a baby that was due this month.  Baby came a month early and I don't have the blanket done yet!!  So, Karen, PICK UP THOSE STICKS!

It's The Time of Year to 'Invest'

invest  | in 'vest |  v.  to cover (archaic).  Origin of invest:  Latin investire (to clothe) ; from in- + vestis (garment)
Yes .  It's the time of year when 25% of the commercials and ads you see or read are about "investing" in your future.  I took this to heart, but in my own way.  I decided to "invest" in Anthony's future -- his immediate clothing future, that is!

Anthony loves (let me say that again ... loves) to wear sweater vests that I knit for him.  Linda says it's always his choice when he gets to pick his clothes himself.  Cute!  He outgrew the vest I made last fall and Linda had to pack it away because Anthony was still trying to squeeze into it even though it fit like a 90's "belly shirt"!!

With his birthday approaching, I decided to knit him a new vest.  Anthony's birthday was March 15th.  I finished the vest at 11:00 p.m. on March 14th!!  Nothing like working down to the wire.  When he opened it, he must have said "Thank you, Oma!" about 6 or 7 times.  You know it's a hit when a 4-year-old says thank you spontaneously and often.

It's fairly plain;  gray so it goes with lots of his clothes;  has a soft, subtle texture;  and is nice and long so it will last for a while.

Kids vests are quick to knit and he loves them so.  I'm on to a new project already -- which can't be mentioned here because the recipient may read this!