"Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit either." ~ Elizabeth Zimmerman

9/29/13

Slippers Deux

More slippers are finished.



Fuzzy Cuffed Brown and Turquoise Slippers

Pattern: Fuzzy Cuff Ladies Slippers by me, made for Knitwits.
Size: Womens 8-10 inches

Yarn: Red Heart Soft Print, knit with 2 strands held together.
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Icypond

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 10.5

Cast on: September 14, 2013
Completed: September 19, 2013

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Burgundy Slippers

Pattern: Family Foot-Warmer Slippers by Anne Baron Designs, made for my dad.
Size: Mens 12 inches

Yarn: Northern Worsted by S.R. Kertzer, knit with 2 strands held together.
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Burgundy

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 10.5

Cast on: September 19, 2013
Completed: September 25, 2013

Comment: My dad has large feet, so I cast on 84 sts to fit his size 13 foot. Decreased down to 20 sts each side of markers for top opening.




As soon as I bound of the Burgundy slippers, I cast on for another pair. This one is one strand of the brown/turquoise print and one strand of plain brown. They will be mens size.



I cast on 70 stitches, or at least, I thought I did. It took several times before I got it right. Then shortly after I took this pic, I discovered it was still wrong. I cast on 80 sts. Somehow, I managed to miscount 3 times. Urg. Anyway, its been frogged and started over. I've got about an inch done now, and it's the right number of stitches.

I finished the pieces for a pair of capris to go with the little pink doll top. Now I need to block and sew some seams.



It rained yesterday. And rained and rained and rained. The forecast was for a quarter inch. We got 2.2 inches. Sweet Hubby did the Coeur d'Fondo bike ride yesterday, in the rain. I felt so bad for him. He was pretty soakin' wet and cold when he got home last night. We were really glad we had a hot tub to warm up in. He finished the ride though. The whole 108 miles!

Well, if I'm gonna get that pink outfit above done, I better get busy.

Live long and prosper. \\//

9/26/13

Flowers 'n Stuff

I took some pictures of flowers in my yard yesterday. I figured we'd be having a frost last night and that would be the end of them. However, we didn't get that frost. Probably tonight though. These pics are for me, so during the coming winter I can look at them.

My favorites among the 40 Petunias in the boxes on the deck.



Candy stripes.



True black.



Gotta have purple.



The Dahlia bloomed very well this year. My first real success at growing one. It's been blooming for several weeks. This is the last one of the year.



Despite the terrible care my veggie garden got this year, we actually got stuff out of it. I picked the last of the tomatoes, and the one zucchini. First time I've grown a zucchini that didn't provide enough to feed everyone within 200 miles.


We've had 4 meals from the green beans so far, and Ruth picked enough for 2 more meals so I put them in the fridge.

This coming weekend I plan to see what can be found in the row of carrots and beets. Don't know if there'll be anything or not. The ground squirrels have really done a number on the root crops.

I started another pair of slippers today. It will be pair #5. I'll post the 2 pairs I just recently finished soon.

Live long and prosper. \\//

9/23/13

A Stocking for Sweet Hubby

Wow, has it been a week since my last post? The time just flew by!

Summer is definitely over. It's been cold and wet for a few days now. When summer shows signs of ending, and autumn begins, my thoughts turn to Christmas. Gotta start that gift knitting early, assuming I'm doing some. But first, I'd told sweet hubby last Christmas that I was going to make him a new stocking. I wanted to make him a felt applique one. He picked out the kit he liked, I ordered it, and promptly put it on the shelf and forgot about it when it arrived in the mail. Two weekends ago I got it out and started it. I finished it last night.



Fastest I've ever done one of these. However, it's not as complicated a design as I usually do, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It's been unpleasant outside too, so more reasons to stay in and do needle craft. This particular kit is from Dimensions, named Frosty Stocking. I did do one small change. Where the big snowflakes are, the instructions say to embroider circles in satin stitch. I looked at that, and got to thinking. Snowflakes should look like snowflakes, not big circles! So I got some snowflake buttons. They're perfect! Exactly what I had in mind. So much better than big white circles.

I'm knitting slippers like crazy. I got this one bound off (still need to sew up the seam), then immediately cast on for it's mate.



Then I got to thinking. (Again with the thinking!) My Dad would probably like a new pair of slippers to keep his tootsies warm. So I stopped working on the mate and cast on the first half of a pair for him. I finished the first one fairly quickly, and I'm halfway done with it's mate.



They should be done in plenty of time before my trip to visit him. I need to get the little doll dress and top put together too so they'll be ready to go.

Have I mentioned that before? I'm going to see my Dad? I've bought plane tickets. First week of October I'm flying back to northern Michigan to see him and take care of some things for him. Hopefully, the snow will stay away until after my visit.

Argh. Winter is coming. (Insert big picture of frowny face here) At least there's Christmas in it.

Live long and prosper. \\//





9/15/13

FO's of Green Slippers

Got 2 pair of slippers done this past week for Knitwits.


Fuzzy Cuffed Green Slippers

Pattern: Fuzzy Cuff Ladies Slippers by me, made for Knitwits.
Size: Womens 8-10 inches

Yarn: Northern Worsted by S.R. Kertzer, knit with 2 strands held together.
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Stem Green

Content: 100% Polyester
Color: Black with rainbow metallic.

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 10

Cast on: September 10, 2013
Completed: September 12, 2013

Comments: Nice classic pattern. Knits up quickly, fits fairly good. I did change the decreases. I don't think the author of this particular version is familiar with slanting decreases in opposite directions, so she has just 'Knit 2 together through back loops'. I used Knit 2 together to slant half the decreases the other way so the instep doesn't look funny.



I had quite a bit of yarn leftover, so I've made a larger pair in the mens size.



Green Mens Slippers

Pattern: Family Foot-Warmer Slippers by Anne Baron Designs, made for Knitwits.
Size: Mens 10-12 inches

Yarn: Northern Worsted by S.R. Kertzer, knit with 2 strands held together
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Stem Green

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 10.5

Cast on: September 12, 2013
Completed: September 13, 2013

Comments: The yarn is nice to work with. The pattern is easy to follow.

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I have a WIP. I've finished the knitting, but still need to do the finishing. A little doll top.



Live long and prosper. \\//

9/11/13

WIP Wednesday 9/11/2013

Just a quick WIP post today. I think I mentioned I'm a little tired of knitting mittens so I've decided to switch to slippers because Knitwits needs them big time. We usually have a couple hundred pairs of slippers done by this time of year but we are way down this year.

Now, I admit, I own lots of slipper patterns, and have knit many of them over the years. But this time I had a specific design in mind, and I didn't own a copy of it, nor can I remember the original name. As usual, I went to my go-to place for pattern research. I got on Ravelry and looked at slipper patterns. The design in mind has been around forever and I figured that would be the best place to find it. I was right.

I found several different versions of the pattern (none of them the original) so I needed to narrow them down. I printed out 3 of my favorites. I decided I want the slippers to be a bit bulky, so I went with the 2 versions that use 2 strands of worsted (or 1 strand of bulky). Between those two versions, I chose the bottom up one rather than the top down. (I've had the thought "there are too many choices" run through my mind since then. Heh heh.)

I finished the first slipper last night.



Of course, even with a pattern this simple, I found myself modifying it because I didn't like the way the decreases were done (the author apparently does not know about left and right slanting). I also went with fur on the cuff. Half a pair of slippers already, and I just started looking that morning. Not bad. These knit up nice and quick. Now, on to making it's mate. And a bunch of brothers and sisters.



Star Trek Into Darkness came out on DVD yesterday? I preordered it from Amazon. It arrived yesterday morning. Suuuuuweet! We watched it last night. I love Star Trek!





If you're interested in participating in WIP Wednesday, please join us.

Live long and prosper. \\//

9/10/13

Wild Fairy Hair

I made this silly yarn wig over the weekend. I call it Wild Fairy hair.



I crocheted the cap using worsted weight yarn, size G hook, and double crochet stitches, then tied strands of loopy mohair on each stitch kind of following these directions, but in my own way. I didn't separate the strands because the mohair is basically a single strand yarn. It was just an experiment to see what it would look like. I would have liked to have used longer strands, but I didn't have enough of the mohair. It was just a small bit of leftovers from a project done a very long time ago (So long ago I can't remember what the project was.) Which brings me to my next news.

I'm flying back to Michigan in October to see my father and take care of some things for him. He's still in the nursing home and probably will be for the rest of his life, which makes me sad in some ways. However, it's the best place for him to be. He can't take care of himself so he needs to be somewhere people can take care of him. The bright side of this is that he's in a place with other people so he's making friends, and they have lots of activities to keep the residents busy and happy. It is a very very nice Assisted Living place with a fantastic reputation. I'm looking forward to seeing it in real life. The above wig is going with me. I'm going to give it to my sister to give to her granddaughter.

I also finished the knitting of a little doll dress. I need to block it, etc for it to be completely done. After I bound of the dress, I did a bit of figuring and planning, then cast on for a little top in pink. I've got this idea for a peplum and whatnot.

The weather was very cool and a little bit wet over the weekend. It was the first time I've wanted to wear long pants since June. Yesterday we had a perfect weather day. The rest of the week we are returning to hot hot, starting today with an estimated high of 91.

Merino was playing with his giant stuffed mousy. I had to take a pic.

Mine!

Live long and prosper. \\//

9/5/13

Little Garter Checks is Up

The Little Garter Checks Mens Mittens pattern is done and up. More info on the pattern blog:




Special thanks go to Ravelry members JenniferFour and watrpriestess for test knitting the pattern. I can't believe how many mistakes they found for me! Thank you gals! I greatly appreciate your help.

Live long and prosper.\\//

9/2/13

She's Ready to Party!

Got the snaps sewed on the dress and took pics.


Lets Party!

Pattern: By me. (Not available)

Yarn: N.Y. Yarns Fluff Print in variegated pinks
Content: 100% Nylon, worsted weight
Yarn: S. Charles Collezione Ritratto in Northern Lights
Content: 53% Rayon/ 28% Mohair/ 10% Nylon/ 9% Polyester, DK weight

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 0 and 1

Cast on: August 5, 2013
Completed: September 1, 2013

Comments: I love how this turned out! I've adjusted the pattern for a perfect fit. It's not easy knitting with either of the yarns, but the trouble is worth it! There are 4 snaps in the back opening.




Pink furry yarn was used to make the yoke. This yarn is quite a bit thinner than the bulky yarn I used for the purple and black dress, so it was much easier to incorporate. I got gauge using one strand on the size 1 needles.



Ellie is ready to party!



I've cast on for another one. Haven't decided what color fur to use for the yoke. I have a couple different possibilities to choose from. I have a large supply of N.Y. Fluffy Print in my stash in several colors.

One more pic to share. I have 2 cherry tomato plants growing in large pots on the deck. They're producing now. Our first harvest. We ate them in salad tonight. Yum, were they every sweet and tasty!



We went through the whole month of August without a frost. I can't remember the last time that's happened. It's giving my tomatoes time to get ripe. Woo hoo!

9/1/13

Teal Mittens, a FO

I have a FO to show (FO means finished object for the uninitiated out there). A lovely pair of teal mens mittens.



Little Garter Checks Mens Mittens

Pattern:  Little Garter Checks Mens Mittens by me, made for Knitwits.

Yarn: Red Heart Soft
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: 9518 Teal

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 5

Cast on: August 3, 2013
Completed: August 28, 2013

Comments: I love these mittens. I mean, I really love them! I just made up the stitch pattern on a whim, which is very simple and is probably in some stitch pattern book somewhere with an official name. (I'll have to go looking for it.) For now I'm  calling it Little Garter Checks. I have written up the pattern and it's being test knit.




Detail of the stitch pattern.



I carried the pattern right to the tips.



And I'm quite pleased with the thumbs. I'm getting better at them, though I still haven't quite figured out how to prevent holes where I join the yarn for the thumb, so I find myself stitching them up when I'm done.



It's a manly pattern, so I have written the pattern in 2 sizes, both for men.



Fall has started, and winter is not far away. Someones hands will be warm with these.



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I have an almost FO too. All I have left to do on this dress is sew on the snaps in the back.



It fits the doll very well. Better than any of the dresses I've made so far. I think I'm done with the fit adjustments for this particular pattern.

I started on the next Seedbeadersters bead along project. 2-drop peyote is the topic.



I've chosen 4 colors in a checkered pattern. So far, it's been a piece of cake. Just like regular peyote stitch.

Had the oddest thing happen last night. We'd been over to Dan and Sue's for dinner/birthday party for their youngest son. When I got home my back hurt really bad. So I went and sat in the hot tub. I got the bubbles and everything going and was just starting to relax when it shut completely off. I couldn't get it to turn back on. Had to go ask hubby to rescue me. He got it going by pressing the reset button, but we have no idea why it shut off. I hope it was just a weird glitch and there isn't some problem with the motor.

Doug joined me in the tub after that and we sat, in the dark, looking at the beautiful stars in the night sky, and chatting about the awesomeness of said stars-how many of them there are, how most of them probably have planets around them, and there's probably life on some of those planets, and how far ahead or behind evolutionarily their life might be from ours, and whether any of it might be intelligent, and what if someone comes visiting (They better be Vulcans!), and we are not that far from being able to send someone from our planet out in space to visit them. Our night sky is magnificent.

Live long and prosper. \\//