Such A Deal, But What Is It...

One of my favorite weekend outings is to go to estate sales and garage sales. I don't spend much money for the most part, but I get to see a lot of interesting houses that I would normally not see, and I get to see some interesting things as well. I have conscripted Dear Hubby into my avocation, but he has a few rules if he is going to play along.

Rule #1 - We must go to neighborhoods that are better than ours, and no sales that have primarily clothes or children's items - we need neither.

Rule #2 - Start early and finish by 11 a.m.-ish as everything is generally picked over by then.

Rule #3 - Feed him lunch immediately after the last sale as a reward for driving, carrying, and for the most part paying.

Behold my newest Saturday morning acquisition -



This little darning egg cost me a grand total of $1.25. I found in the kitchen of an estate sale, and when I went to pay the cashier told me that it wasn't a complete set. At first, I though I misheard the gentleman because I knew exactly what I had picked up. I really think he thought it was part of a mortar and pestle set. Because the company running the auction had no idea what this item was, it was marked originally for $3, then to $1.50 when the half-price hour hit, and I got it for the $1.25 price because they would have had to break a $10 to get the extra quarter.

I am guessing it to be at least as old as I am, possibly older, and probably made of a golden pine. Being a gadget person through-and-through, I had to have it. However, I must confess that I am not a fan of the Kitchener stitch; I far prefer the three needle bind-off.

As for the sweater, the sleeves are closing in on the elbows from the cuff edge, and I am knitting both at once as DM suggested, but on two sets of needles as it makes me crazy to do them on the same one.



As you might guess, I would like for this sweater to be finished so that I can move on to my gnome project. I plan to do several, but not consecutively or concurrently. They will be interspersed between other projects. Also, I am the proud owner of the Meet the Snowmes pattern now, and that will be put into the knitting queue as well. You can see a particularly cute Snowme here that someone on Ravelry has posted.

Bad Old Gnome Enabler...

As I may have previously mentioned, I am not enjoying my class this semester. In addition, I am not enjoying the constant grind and endless demands on my free time that this class seems to impose... All this, and someone has put another project into my queue no less.

She knows I have an addictive personality, and that I am easily led. In addition to adding to my obsession list, this has further led to the running amok of my yarn stash. Bad, bad Gnome Enabler. Shame on you. More to the point, shame on me. I need one more thing to do...

Here is the gnome-enabling culprit, no doubt smiling because she likely is working on one of her sinister plots...

The gnome in question is the Yuletide Gnome designed by Alan Dart of the U.K. This pattern is nearly impossible to get as it is out of print. Luckily enough, someone on Ravelry had an extra and agreed to sell it to me. With all the whining, I have forgotten to mention just how cute the gnome actually is... I cannot get the picture to come in well, so go here to see one of the best examples on Ravelry.

The Butterfly pullover is closing in on the finish line.

This is the first garment that I have attempted to do cabling on. It wasn't too bad - behold the success... Also, once again, the sweater is not cherry or bright red, but more of a wine color.

Last week, a friend gave me some fiber, and I have spun it into a single. I may or may not divide and ply it. I think I kind of like it as a single.

TTFN!