My Linds & Nik are getting hitched!

This one deserved a post of it's own......my Lindsy & St. Nik became engaged last Sunday!  I couldn't be happier!  No news on the date, but I would guess it will be in about a year.  She & I are going dress shopping & to a wedding expo next weekend.....whoooo hooooo!

Learning more everyday

I'm still on my way to a frugal lifestyle!  It's fascinating all I've learned in one short week.  This week I learned about freecycle.org.  It's a site where folks post things they have to give away or need and the two can connect.  I posted a request for old wool blankets, clothes, fabric and/or yarn to repurpose into new items, some of which can go to charity.

This week I also made my own laundry soap!  So fun....the jury's still out on if it's cheaper....for sure it's the same price.  I think it all depends on how much we use....I'm tracking this, so time will tell.

We also joined the local library this week, and it's amazing how much libraries have changed since the '70's!!!!  So much more of a resource......and they have KNITTING BOOKS.  Oh my, it's a whole new world!

And we're off!

Alrighty then, we are off on our 2009 adventure in frugal living!  I've got the hubby on board.  It's amazing how my thinking is changing already....  I find myself looking ahead and cutting back on everything....from a simple as making sure I don't yank out too big of piece of saran wrap!    Waste not want not!

I've joined some online groups and hopefully I'll get some good tips.  I'd like to get ahold of that book written by the lady who went a year withing spending.....from the library, of course!

a year of necessity....

I'm pondering living 2009 as a minimalist........purchasing only what is absolutely necessary. I think it would be an interesting experiment. I've been doing some research and joined a few on line groups. I need to come up with some operating rules....here's a start:

1) Determine if it's a want or a a need....if a want - it's out
2) It it's a need, balance quality & low cost...it's not a bargain if you use it once and it breaks
3) Always ask if there's a cheaper, greener way of doing things....
4) Go through stuff regularly and take what you don't use to the Good Will.

more..............later

Third time's a charm

Well, today we bought the cabin for the third time! We refinanced to cover the construction and today was the closing......it's good to be done with it. 30 more years of payments and we will be done! Hopefully we will live that long :)

I've been knitting Christmas gifts and finshed "one" up this evening.....I'll be posting pics soon on Ravelry. I've had a little knitting explosion lately and I have about 6 projects started at this point.....must concentrate on finishing them before starting something new - must must.

I've gotten into Alan Dart's toy patterns and I love, love, love them.....they are a little tricky, but
worth the trouble.........I've also been making little sock coin purses.....I'm waiting for more hardware to make more of those......fun, fun, fun.

We are getting ready for winter up here....the frost is nipping all the flowers and there aren't many left. The leaves are pretty well off the trees and it won't be long before the pretty white snow will be gently falling....can't wait.......really, I do like winter!

back to my knitting now........

Rock on,
Cindy

Golf Club Covers

Here's some pics and the pattern I invented for golf club covers

Cindy’s version of golf head covers
Size 7 double points
Worsted weight yarn

CO 28 Stitches
K2P2 for 8 inches
K one round
Increase 7 stitches evenly (35 stitches)
K 1 round
Increase 7 stitches evenly (42 stitches)

Knit for a total of 7 inches, accommodating various
Strips as follows:

For 1 strip:
At 5 ½ inches, knit one row with contrasting color
Resume knitting with main color

For 3 stripes:
At 5 inches, do alternate row of main & contrasting color 3 times as follows:
K 1 row w/contrast
K 1 row w/main
K 1 row w/contrast
K 1 row w/main
K 1 row w/contrast
Resume knitting with main color

For 5 stripes:
At 4.5 inches, do alternate row of main & contrasting color 5 times as follows:
K 1 row w/contrast
K 1 row w/main
K 1 row w/contrast
K 1 row w/main
K 1 row w/contrast
K 1 row w/main
K 1 row w/contrast
K 1 row w/main
K 1 row w/contrast

Resume knitting with main color
At 7 inches begin decreasing as follows:
(K5, K2 together) 6 times - 36 stitches
K one row
(K4, K2 together) 6 times - 30 stitches
K one row
(K3, K2 together) 6 times - 24 stitches
K one row
(K2, K2 together) 6 times - 18 stitches
K one row
K 2 all the way around - 9 stitches

Break yarn and thread through remaining 9 stiches. Weave in ends. Attach pom pom. Go golfing!


Copy write: Cindy Steinberg Knits; October 2008

Mac book cover

Here's a picture and the pattern I invented to make a Mac book cover for Tommy:

Mac Book Laptop Case
Size 10.5 - 12 inch Circular needle
Size 10.5 double point Needles
4 skeins Lamb’s Pride Bulky

CO 50 Stitches
Knit until 1 ½ inches
Pick up & Knit 5 stitches on the side of your piece, 50 stitches across the bottom and 5 more stitches across the other side of your piece. 110 stitches.
Knit away until the piece measures 11.5 inches

Purl the next row
K2 together K3 K2 together, K 50; K 2 together K3 K2 together
Bind off 50 stitches

Top Flap
On remaining stitches on needle, Purl one row
Knit 4 rows
Purl one row
Knit for one inch
Next row: K1 SSK, knit to last three stitches K2tog K1
Next row: Knit
Repeat the last two rows until you are 6 inches away from the last purl row
Bind off

Handle:
Pick up the 5 stitches immediately next to the to flap.
Knit each row on size 10.5 straight or dp needles for 50 inches, bind off
Attach to other side of bag

Felt until the piece measures 12 x 9