family,

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11

thank you for all your kind comments about those fingerless gloves! They are truly a quick knit and would make a wonderful gift. As a matter of fact, I have another pair in progress, but this time I am using yarn from the stash and some is even left over! I am also mulling over making a matching headband. To be perfectly honest, I think the beaded yarn makes a nicer ruffle, but the mohair I am using is great and pretty too. and it’s LEFTOVERS! And the happy-good feeling of using stash/leftover can’t be beat!

I spent yesterday in Secaucus. Cara had sent out a bat signal for Prize Patrol help – Kay and I answered the call. Kay brought her camera, so check her site for any photos. Last year there was a fracas over Bakelite needles (see July 11th entry). Neither of us won. This year we managed to maintain our dignity. I cannot account for the how or why. There was certainly an abundance of riches!

D#1 is driving home today for the Thanksgiving break. We are having our holiday dinner at my MiL’s house, so things have been quiet in my kitchen. This is alternately sad and thrilling! It’s nice to have stillness while everyone else is bustling. But I kind of miss the bustling …. only kind of!

True to form, I couldn’t wait.

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8

My mother-in-law came over for dinner last night and I gave her the poncho. I know, I know – it was supposed to be for Christmas, but when I was weaving in the ends it occurred to me that fall is poncho weather. And there you have it. She LOVES it and it fits beautifully – I would definitely knit this pattern again.

The Rhinebeck countdown clock has officially begun. D#1 and her friend (did I mention that she had a friend with her on this trip?) hit the road this morning and headed back to school. Her friend had been staying in the guest room and I was under orders from Cara to make sure I got rid of any teenage boy smells. (and no, this is most definitely not D#1’s boyfriend) Luckily for me, the friend is the non smelly type, but I gave it a dusting and the bathroom a thorough scrubbing. In the meantime, Vicki will be staying in D#1’s room and that needed a going over. Tomorrow the rest of the house will get a shine. God, these slumber parties are work!

can’twaitcan’twaitcan’twaitcan’twaitcan’twaitcan’twait

Vicki, maybe we should grab some Starbucks and take a quick trip to the beach. You can get Rusty some Fire Island Sand for his collection?

polar swing poncho

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6

I finished the poncho on Friday. Please excuse the unfocused picture, but it was the only one in the bunch that showed the true color.

This pattern is great on many levels. First, it is quick and easy. Never underestimate the joy of quick and easy! Secondly, check out the bell shaping. It really is more of a capelet than a poncho and with that shaping, it hugs the torso until it begins to flare just above the elbows.

The pattern did have one error. For any of you making this,

the directions for the Shape Swing section round 1 read:

slip marker. *K1, yo, k2tog, yo, k18 sts. ………

I believe they should read:

slip marker. *K1, yo, k2tog, yo, k19 sts ………

Once that came off the needles, I cast on for this Flared Rib Scarf using Classic Elite Lush. They weren’t kidding around when they named it Lush. this yarn is fantastic – eminently pettable -the luxury of an angora blend! and another quick and mostly easy project!

In non knitting news …… D#1 arrived home for her fall break and we have been enjoying a long weekend with her. She heads back tomorrow. It is hard to believe that she is in her junior year. Things have taken a more serious turn and she is beginning to look at grad schools and internships.

There will be just enough time to get fresh sheets on the beds and the house cleaned up and …..

Vicki and Cara will arrive on Thursday for the beginning phase of Rhinebeck-polooza 2007!

round and round and round they go, where they’ll stop no one knows!

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8

Thank you for all your insights regarding D#2 and her college dilemma. Since she cannot say for sure where she would like to go, she has decided to forgo the early decision application altogether. She will apply early action to those schools offering that method (it is non-binding) and use the regular application process to the others.

D#1 will be home on Friday for a long weekend. It’s fall break time! I am looking forward to seeing her. She is in her junior year and is fine tuning her major declaration. At the moment she a psych major and is considering a minor in gerontology. She went in thinking she would study education and mathematics.

I can hardly stand all of this excitement! here are some things I know for sure…

  • it is a chilly, rainy day here and therefore perfect for knitting
  • Rhinebeck is next weekend and I will be spending my time with the coolest of people!
  • I need a fresh cup of coffee :)