Love this blog! crockpot365

Was made aware of this blog from Ravelry and I love how creative she is being with her crock pot. So much so, that I was inspired to make
these.


Here are the crayons soaking as to make it easier to peel off the labels (not so much, some were IMPOSSIBLE, they got tossed) Oh, and don't use washable crayons, they make a mess!




Here are the crayons broken up and divided into the cups, I decided to go for the "multi color" look. My crock pot was only 5 quart, so I had to stack the muffin pan, it still worked.




Here they are, all melted and starting to cool down.







Here are the finished cupcake crayons! Solid color on top, multi on the bottom (mostly green-go figure)I'm hoping to use these at preschool, I think the shape will be easy for the kids to hold when we are doing rubbings. I'll let you know!

Back from mini-vacation

More to come later, but hubby and I have returned from the family wedding in oh-so-rainy Fort Lauderdale :)

Wed - Yes, we went on a mini-vacation; we attended our nephew's wedding in Florida. Our first trip away from the kids in almost 4 years. It was very nice and relaxing. We had debated about taking the kids, but in hindsight, we made a great call in not taking them. They had much more fun staying home with their friends. We got to enjoy the festivities without worrying about keeping them entertained.

As noted earlier, it rains, A LOT, in Florida, in June. Rained upon arrival on Friday, but cleared up for the dinner at 7:30. Was GORGEOUS all day Saturday; we even ran into my best friend from high school, no kidding, in the Denny's down the street! She was there with her family for a cruise!! We ended up spending the afternoon at their hotel, on the beach and in the water with beverages.

Ceremony was at 5, getting dark and ominous...thunder throughout the service...they got married, took a few pictures then the downpour! The reception was moved inside. Very fun.

Sunday was wasted in the car, drove to Key Largo, did not know there were not nice beaches...drove back to the hotel via Miami, was looking for the end of 41, major thunderstorm on the highway. Ugh, spent the last night in the hotel room with room service pizza and a baseball game.

When we left on Monday, skies were looking very blue!

11:32, the official start......

of summer vacation! Last day for son #1 in grade school, "and mom is going to cry" he announced as he left the van....sorry, no crying, maybe next year for the start of Middle School.

Sadly, I will be spending my last child-free hours attending the funeral of a family friend. She had been diagnosed with cancer and given a year to live, she fought for 2 1/2 years! She will be missed.


Look at what was hanging around our screen door yesterday, kinda creepy, the boys made me keep the door shut until it left.








Time to crank up the summer knitting!! Here is the progress on the Flirty Tank: I have put it away, for now, and gone back to the socks. I have missed them so!! I must finish the Roundabouts for Mother, she is returning from Germany on the 29th and I want to give them to her as her "welcome home" gift.

I have received my copy of Melissa Morgan-Oakes new book 2 socks-at-the-same time and my size 1 and size 2 40" needles....go figure, the majority of the patterns are written for size 3 and 4....but I don't like socks made with thick yarn, so I'm sure to modify the patterns to fit my taste :)

No, I did not cry

Well, 5th grade promotion has come and gone and I DID NOT CRY AT ALL!!!! yea me :)

I thought for sure I would, son #1 said I would and hubby said, "you're going to cry aren't you??" and I didn't. I'm so proud.

We still have a full day tomorrow, and then 1/2 days on Monday and Tuesday (so dumb) and then V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!

Oh Yea!!!!!!!!

Hubby went out shopping today. This shirt is for me; also 3 of the Locker Room hats and 3 t-shirts for the boys. Who says we aren't helping the economy?

Monkey Sock Swap 4 Package Received

Look at all the monkey joy that I received from Tammy!!!
First up, the socks; they are in my most favorite color :) green, and they fit like a dream!!




Here are all the monkey goodies that she crammed into the box! How did she do it? Maple flavored chocolate from Canada, stickers, keychain, tissues, memo pad, applique & a keychain sock blocker sock! OH BOY, I can hardly wait to make tiny socks from my leftover yarn! Also, the Stricken pattern :), pink Shibuiknits yarn & a skein of her very own Faery Fiber. I don't know how she was able to pull this package together, she has been very sick this past month, but I am very grateful to her! This is all in addition to the monkey sock bag and stuffed monkey I posted about earlier.

And finally, here are the socks on my feet-they fit perfectly! Thank you so much Tammy for this great package!

Back to bed

yes, it's 8:30 am and I am going back to bed, just for a refreshing nap. It is all because of this. I stayed up WAY past my bedtime.
And just think, I get to do it all over again tomorrow night :)

Flirty Tank

1 round of lace pattern completed!

I love my LYS

Really, I do, especially Geralyn, not only is she going to cast on the 200 stitches for the Flirty Tank, she is going to do the 2 rows of ribbing for me!!!! :) YEA
That means when I go tomorrow, I can start right away with the lace rows.

Let me explain: I already missed class #1, so I'll be way far behind all the others, tomorrow is class #2, and I cannot make class #3, so I'll be on my own after tomorrow, though she did say I could come anytime and she'll help me.

I'll keep you posted.

Ducks!

I don't think my neighbors are going to open their pool this year, so I guess the ducks will get some use out of it.

They also don't cut their grass; how joyous.
It's going to be a long summer.

School over :)

Yes, the preschool year has ended; we had our final school picnic today. The "big school" does not get out until June 17, so I have a few days of peace and quiet.
So, that means I will have lots and lots of time to knit, not. I'm still cruising along with the Socks from Stash group, I started June's socks early and they are progressing nicely. I picked up the green LL's today and while I was there, signed up for a class to make this:


and it's NOT SOCKS! Can you believe it?? I wonder how long it will take me? It's done mostly in the round, so that's good, BUT it has 200 stitches! AACCKKK, I have trouble casting on 60 for a sock, how will I manage 200?? Plus I have to do a swatch and make sure I can get guage. Good times, good times. Should make for an interesting summer.

You will notice it is green, that is only because I signed up 2 weeks late for the class and that is the only color they had left that had enough skeins.

Still waiting for my Monkey sock swap package from my pal and also waiting and wondering if my pal ever received my package :( it was sent out early May and I was told 2 weeks to Canada...I've been able to track it as far as Alberta and that's it.

oh well, pick again

I have to recalculate this month's socks and only put in the numbers of already wound yarn...........and the new sock will be...........#3, Mother's Roundabout Socks; (as I had to take the LL's yarn to the LYS to be wound and I don't know when I'll get it back). Mother will be so excited.

and the lucky number is............

The Random Number Generator picked #5 for my June socks. And those would be........
Lacy Pillars; the free pattern I received in my Loopy Groupie package!!! and I will be using my favorite color GREEN Lorna's Laces that I purchased last year!!

Type "A" that I am...........

I have gone through all the sock yarn I have and assigned a pattern to each one, this will make it easier when it's time to pick each month for Socks from Stash..........

I have 4 lonely skeins with no pattern and 3 more skeins coming in the mail to me!!

AAACCCCKKKKK

That means I have enough yarn to get me through June 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!! plus the 7 unaccounted for means January 2010...that's even scary to look at...............

Oh boy, who'd of thunk it???

You are all going to be so proud of me!! I have ordered this!!

I have come to the realization that I DO NOT dislike this color as much as I thought I did and I must have a pair of socks to match my shirt.
And, extra bonus, my friend BetteM is the seller!

Back from sister's

Boy oh boy, the trip home from Chicago was much faster than on the way there! The airline must have noticed I was on the 4 hour flight on Friday, because I was upgraded for the trip home! Big, wide seat (more room for knitting)

Did lots of "beveraging" and shopping with sister, it was a nice, relaxing weekend. But that town is expensive! Here is the tab from lunch!

On the road....

Yes, I have FINALLY made it to sister's house. What an adventure!

8:00am - drop boys off at school, drive directly to airport
9:00am - arrive at off-site parking, take shuttle to terminal
9:15ish - get through security with (2) 24" circular needles (bonus)
Plenty of time to sit and knit while waiting to load plane at 10:33

10:20 - no plane, so pack up knitting and buy a magazine and bag of pretzels
10:45 - load onto plane, shut doors, pilot announces: numerous storms in Chicago, we will not be leaving for AT LEAST AN HOUR!!! why the f*&^ did they hurry us onto the plane???, continue knitting on sock, must stop as I'm close to toe decrease and don't know if it is the correct length
11:45 - still storms, will be another hour, eat pretzels
12:45 - should be leaving in approx 20 minutes as now there are storms coming into Detroit and they want to get us out.
1:00 - leave gate YEA, sit in line
1:30 - FINALLY take off (original take off time 11:03)
VERY BUMPY ride, they had to pass out the drinks in 2 different shifts, then you only had 10 minutes to drink before they had to clean up for landing (gotta love those hour flights)
2:30/1:30 local time - arrive in Chicago, find sister, have lunch and beverage

Oh brother 4 hour flight from Detroit to Chicago, I cannot wait for the return flight tomorrow!
Off to explore the city.

I'm A Loopy Groupie!!!!!

Yes, it's official, after my yarn purchase for the MS4,
I AM A LOOPY GROUPIE!!!
I feel so honored to be a part of this group :) I received a great plastic bag with zipper (going to take on the trip to visit sister this weekend), some mints, a heart clip, a sock pattern and some gorgeous Chewy Spaghetti yarn
(in my favorite color GREEN).
Gotta love The Loopy Ewe order Monday BEFORE 10, ships same day, arrives Wednesday. What's not to love??

shhhhhh

Isn't this the prettiest picture?

Our student teacher at preschool, Miss Amanda, went to Mexico City over her spring break to do mission work. She said this was taken on a road somewhere....anyway, I've ordered her some notecards (and some for me and some for our teacher), but it's a secret!

Miss Amanda took so many gorgeous pictures, I've told her she should contact National Geographic!

Another Birthday gift (early)

Many thanks to Mother! As you all know, GREEN is my most favorite color, but I have never had a green purse, I always use my black Coach purse ..... Here is my birthday present, a lovely GREEN purse!!




And here are some beautiful ORANGE flowers I bought myself. I may even break down and buy some ORANGE sock yarn from my friend BetteM.
What is going on here?? I don't even like ORANGE :)

Thank you Thank you LaurieC!!!!

Look at this wonderful early birthday box I received!!!

All wrapped up in green tissue paper - green LL's shepherd sock yarn (my most FAVORITE), green Euroflax yarn, 3 balls of CF in a cute stripey color
(oohhh, 3 pairs of anklets or 1 really TALL pair of socks??) a new book (for me anyway) Hip Knits and a cute notepad.

It came at the end of a very long morning of cleaning (3+hours) and I was enjoying a "beverage" when my mailman delivered it direct to my front door!!

Thanks so much Laurie, you're the best xoxo

Purchasing new yarn OH NO

Another pretty vacation picture:

Yes, I must admit, I did purchase more sock yarn this week!

I have been wanting to make the Garter Heel socks (Vogue), but did not have the yarn specified in the pattern, oh boy, while out with mother for her birthday lunch, we stopped at the LYS, lo and behold, they had the yarn (Louet Gems Opal).

Few days later, taking said yarn to the other LYS to have wound into balls (along with some Lorna's Laces I purchased for mother for her birthday - she is now making socks)I came upon Plymouth Yarn's Happy Feet! I was going to purchase online, but why pay for shipping when it is right there in front of me! So left that, along with the LL and the Louet. Picked them all up on Friday, so the stash has grown.

Back to mother and her socks. She cast on a pair of socks 2 winters ago. Frogged them 3 times, tried 3 different patterns and finally finished the one sock 2 weeks ago. She then cast on the 2nd sock and finished it in 2 DAYS!! (she has been knitting for years and is very fast, but had not attempted socks). She is now making her 2nd pair. I have her hooked on Lorna's Laces. But she only knits in the winter, as it makes her "hot". Now, how can knitting itty bitty socks make one hot? I knit them all year round.

Never mind, I am still up on her by 2 pair this year :)thanks to Socks from Stash.
I have finished the first Monkey sock for MS4, so off to the mate and I can make the swap deadline!!

nothing interesting

Pretty boring week, just getting back into the swing of things, had to teach all week at preschool, so I am TIRED!! Cast on the Monkey socks and was able to finish the ribbing, but not much more. Had 4 books come in at the library, but no time to read them. Here are pretty pictures from vacation, enjoy:

updates

Here are the Flame Wave socks; knit in Cascade Fixation. They were my March socks. Now, I will be able to cast on the socks for Monkey Swap 4!!

Back to reality, returned from vacation on Saturday, did 6 or maybe 7 loads of laundry and grocery shopped Monday at 4 different stores to replenish the shelves!

Yipee!!! Monkey Swap 4

Monkey Sock Swap Questionnaire

The Measurements
Shoe size: 9 1/2
Foot length in inches: almost 10”
Circumference: 9 ½ (at ball of foot)

Yarn Preferences

What are your favorite colors? Green, Pink
What color clashes with your wardrobe? Orange
Do you prefer solids or variegated yarns? Either is fine, depends on the pattern
What are your favorite brand sock yarns? Lorna’s Laces, Koigu, Louet
Is there a new sock yarn you really would like to try? Wollmeise, Dream in Color

Cookie A. Patterns

List the patterns you do not have but would like to receive: Mona, Fliker

Allergies

Do you have any allergies that your pal needs to know about? (animals, fiber, sensitivity to smoke etc.) cats and ragweed
Will you knitting be exposed to animals? NO
Will you knitting be exposed to cigarette smoke? NO

Shipping

What country do you live in? USA
Are you willing to ship outside your country? Would prefer USA pal, but will do it if you need pals

Finally, something finished

Here is My So Called Scarf, it took me 1 day short of a month to finish it. I found it very slow going in the beginning, which is why I set it aside, and for some reason, I took it to hockey on Sunday, and I found the pattern very hypnotic (?)
I finished it last night. It is not too long, and I added the fringe to cover up the cast on and cast off rows. I now have matching hat, scarf and mitts :)

Now, if I could only get the groove going on the 2nd Flame Wave sock. I made sock #1 in about 3 days, they are my March socks, but #1 was finished before the end of February!! I don't care much for the dpn's (I almost always only knit with 2 circs), so it is slow going.

Hoping to have them done before vacation, but if not, I'll take them with me.

February Swap Package - Thank you Marilyn

for the wonderful package...all the way from England!

A coffee mug with hearts (so amazed that it survived the trip in one piece!), heart stitch markers, bookmark, great smelling sachet, valentine card, heart ribbon, felt hearts, chocolate, heart sock pattern, wonderful bag (homemade by Marilyn??)and locally produced and dyed sock yarn!

I think that's everything. Thank you so much Marilyn.

Sock swap anyone??? anyone??? anyone???

My friend LaurieC is interested in hosting a sock swap, but not just any sock swap;
a sock swap where you make 1 sock for your pal & send them the yarn etc to make the mate! No SSS! How fun is that? I have seen these done before (maybe Ravelry)
So what do you think? Does that sound like a fun swap? She doesn't want anything so huge that it's a pain in the neck to coordinate & have people flake on because that's just no fun. Something like maybe 20 people? Small enough to get to know personalities etc but big enough that it's not the same personalities. Did that even make sense?
She's thinking of having signups during March, partners announced 1 April & socks/packages are due by 1 June. Of course dates etc are up for debate.

If you're interested in doing this type of swap, please leave a comment and/or message me or her on Ravelry. She's lauriec and I'm LeslieJ!

Finished!

Here are my No Purl Monkeys with Koigu toe on #2! Who will see the toes when I'm wearing shoes? Nobody, I hope!




Already cast on my next pair, Anne Budd, Flame Wave Socks. I've been wanting to make these since last summer, but I could not find another skein of Cascade Fixation in Fern. I was able to find the 1 other person on Ravelry (Marilynmac) who had a skein. She was more than willing to trade with me. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

Love and not-so Love

I Love Love Love the The Loopy Ewe
Place web order on Monday, ships Wednesday, arrives Friday! Yea, can ship package to LaurieC on Monday.

Not so Love for KnitPicks. Place verbal order Mon Feb 4...it ships on or about Friday Feb 8...I still do not have my order!!!

It was only coming from Ohio, and oh yea, they ship via U.S. Mail, but with no delivery tracking or confirmation, so who knows where it is... I have called and they are replacing it, who knows when that will show up....
UPDATE: I received the replacement order on Monday, still no sign of the original order.

Oh yes, more Love for The Loopy Ewe...they sell 1/2 skeins of Colinette Jitterbug, so when I run out of yarn on the second no purl monkey, I can order it for the low low price of $11.00. As I am not having any luck finding any stash on Ravelry.

Bad blogger

Yes, that is me! We have been off for mid-winter break (the boys and I) and you think I would have found time to update!
Well, I did finish no purl monkey sock #1, but I am not going to have enough yarn to finish the mate! UUUGGGHHH I have been feverishly posting on Ravelry trying to secure some additional yarn. I cannot justify paying $25 for an entire skein. I cannot believe I may have to frog AGAIN. This yarn has bad karma.

In better news, my friend LaurieC, has decided to move forward on a swap hint from me (yes me!) Check out her blog for the info, she is thinking of doing a sock swap where you make 1 sock and then ship the yarn and sock off to your pal and they finish it up! No SSS!! I'm thinking she is maybe limiting it to 20 people, so go sign up!

Both boys are at sleepovers, hubby is at work, I think I'll go back to bed! TTFN

FROGuary

Ok, I have cast-on and frogged 1 sock (Anklet Heart), I have cast-on and frogged 1 scarf (Samuel's Red Heart scarf).

I am about to frog the replacement sock (Carolina). I am not loving the pattern. I think I am going back to tried and true No purl monkey socks. Does this make me a bad knitter?

The replacement scarf will stay on the needles, I am making "My so called scarf".

I feel bad about the socks, they were my tribute to Momma Monkey, but no purl monkey socks/Momma Monkey, I think it will be ok.

Here they are!

Here are my finished Roundabout socks. I love the pattern, very simple, but these are the UGLIEST color I have ever seen. Don't know if I should keep them, or send them off to an unsuspecting sister?? :)
I have cast on a pair of Heart Anklet socks, my tribute to Momma Monkey. You can't really see the hearts, as the yarn is very colorful....we shall see.
HOLD THE PHONE: going to frog back to the ribbing and doing Carolina instead.

What happened to the socks??

Well, I just can't seem to bring myself to finish that roundabout sock #2! I am totally in love with the Malabrigo yarn. After finishing the mitts, I cast on another Amanda hat, and then I had to have a matching scarf! So, the lonely sock sits there.

I looked through all the patterns I have stashed, and found this one: Samuel's Heart Red Scarf.
The stitch definition is not showing up, but that's ok, I love the pattern and the scarf is super soft!

well...

tracking big winter storm, will keep you updated
just have to finish thumb on 2nd mitt (yea)- obviously done with the mitts :)
haven't touched the roundabout sock
sp11 repl package was sent 2 weeks ago, I still don't have it
I hope the post office did not pilfer this one also :(

Mitts!!

Here is the front and back of mitt #1. I LOVE this yarn, it is so soft and warm. The mitt pattern is from "Knitting for Charity", Basic Mittens. I made size 8 and it fits perfectly. I will have to wait to cast on mitt #2, must go back to Roundabout sock #2. I did cast on and finished the ribbing yesterday, so I can jump right into the pattern. I've seen people change up the (ssk, k3, yo, k3) to k3, yo, k3 k2tog, so I think I will try that.

Malabrigo yarn

Look at they yummy Malabrigo yarn, color: Melilla. It just showed up in my mailbox today :) hhhhhmmmm, wonder how it got there?? teehee
Don't tell my Burnin' up the Stash friends.

Dear Secret Pal.....

It seems we are having email issues again; I have not heard from you for a while. Wondering what the status is on the replacement package? Last I recall, it was near your front door, ready to go to the post office. Please leave comment to update me. Thank you :)

I survived :)

Here are the boys getting ready to go skating today. It is so nice that they can do it with dad's help (as he wasn't coming to tie them and I can't tie them tight enough)




And then, how cool is this, son #1 tied MY skates :)
I lasted about 30 minutes and the boys' whipped around everyone. I told them numerous times they had to be careful and watch out for all the little kids.

Afterwards, we went to lunch with my friend, 2 adults & 6 kids (oh brother) and then, get this, SHE TOOK ALL THE KIDS HOME WITH HER!!! I went home and watched this movie. I had read the book and was anxious to see how the movie compared. It was very cute.

Quick update

Ok, I've finally recovered from the awesome package :), here is some knitting news.

I have finished sister's 3rd no purl monkey socks, I did have enough yarn, so she will not receive two-tone socks. They will go off in the mail tomorrow, along with the hot pink Amanda hat (I'm so generous).

I need to cast on another pair of socks, getting in a rut here, was going to go for ANOTHER pair of no purl monkeys, but thought I should branch out to something different (not that there's anything wrong with making lots of monkeys). I found this cool pattern on, guess where?? RAVELRY (love it). I will cast on tonight. It looks quick and easy.

And finally, tomorrow is ice skating day at preschool. I must go on the ice with all the 4 year olds from preschool. Pray I don't fall and get hurt (I have 2 parties to attend this weekend). My boys get to go and they are very excited (they get to show off).

This is a box, a box, a box

This is the box








This is the bag








and these are the goodies!!!

I received this package from Phyllis for the January White Swap. Everything was wrapped in white tissue paper and most of the goodies are white. I will try to list everything; sock pattern, 2 skeins of yarn, candles, white doilies(sp?), wint-o-green candies, some awesome jelly belly candies (hard candy coating over a peppermint patty thing?? I'm not sure, I just know they are DELICIOUS), crystal dish, white stones, ribbon, stickers, hot chocolate, coffee. PHEW, I think that is everything. Thank you so much Phyliss, totally awesome package :)

knitting mojo

....has returned. Here is the 3rd no purl monkey sock for sister. I cast on Saturday noon-ish, and this is where it stands as of bed last night. It is progressing VERY FAST; I chalk up the fast knitting due to my listening to all the old podcasts of Stash and Burn. I swear, I had about 6 on my nano, cruised through them and the sock with no problem!
No knitting today though, my copy of T is for Trespass is due at the library Wednesday, and I'm only 1/2 way through it...must finish tonight or tomorrow.
UPDATE: 5:15pm book finished :), back to knitting

It's been frogged

Amanda hat #2 is no more. I must have been waaaaaay off on guage (me? never HA) with Amanada hat #1, because even when I went down to size 8's, I only had enough yarn to do one round of the pattern, then I started the decrease. It turned out to be this funny beanie shape and I could never give it to anyone. So I frogged the hat and now I have this cute, small little ball of hot pink Malabrigo yarn. What to do with it?? It is soooooo soft and squishy, I may just knit a swatch and keep it around.

So this means I have NOTHING ON THE NEEDLES! Must cast on sister's 3rd monkey sock, so she actually has a pair she can wear!

Where does the time go?

Conversation in the van yesterday after school:

son #1 - mom? what happens next year when I go to middle school?
me - you'll get off the bus and let yourself in with your key and wait for me to come home.
son #2 - oh, do I get a key when I get to middle school?
me - no, your brother will be in high school, he'll get home first and he will let you in.
son #2 - oh, so when he goes to college I'll get my own key to the house?
me (in tears) yes, when he goes to college, you'll get a key :(

My boys are only 8 and 10!!! why are we talking about going to college already??? Just a few short years ago they were in PRESCHOOL!!!!!

Amanda hat Finished!!

Here is the finished hat! So cute, and I should have enough yarn to make another for Sister. This is a bit too long, so I rolled up the brim, still looks good. I think I will use size 8 needles on the next hat.

New project

Well, thanks to TrekCastsOn, I now have a new project to go with my new hot pink Malabrigo yarn :)

Check it out, it's the Amanada hat!!

Happy New Year!

Here is the 2nd pair of fetchings. I cast #1 on 12/31 and finished #2 01/02 :) Very fast and very fun. I am using stash yarn to make them, and the top of them are about the same color as the couch, so you can't see them all that well. But you are able to see the nice cables on the bottom. I modified the pattern a bit for this worsted weight yarn, instead of 45 stitches, I cast on 30.


Here is what is left of the stash; I can use this to make more pairs. Why all this stash knitting?? Well, myself, along with lots of Ravelry friends, have joined the 2008 Burnin up the stash group. No buying any new yarn for projects, until all the stash is gone....wonder how long I will last? I do have quite a bit of yarn; mostly for socks...must find other uses for sock yarn.

Time to clean the slate and start fresh for 2008:

I knit 18 pairs of socks (can you believe it LaurieC???)
I knit 20 misc. other projects
I read 48 books, WOW, that is almost a book a week! (I am currently reading T is for Trespass, so that will be the first finished book of 2008)
I had 152 posts last year!

And, I learned how to do the following:

make socks :)
turn a heel (I LOVE IT)
make a short row heel (not so much love)
how to make cables
long tail cast on (goes with socks)
cable cast on
lace
how to follow a pattern with a diagram
how to modify a pattern
3 needle bind off (or whatever that is that you use on the Fiber Trends clogs)
I am so proud of myself.