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

10/30/13

WIP Wednesday 10/30/2013

A quick WIP Wednesday post today. It's a busy week!

I'm knitting along with my beaded knitting class, working on an Embellish Me amulet bag.



I'm at the halfway point and trying to decide if I want to knit in a row of loop fringe, or put fringe on it after. Decisions, decisions.

It was sunny this morning, but 17F degrees when I got up. Brrr... There is STILL a little bit of snow on the ground from Monday morning. It clouded up this afternoon and smells kind of snowish, if you know what I mean. It was 48 degrees, but it sure didn't feel that warm. I've prepared the deck for winter. All the chair cushions and whatnot are put in storage. For the first time, I've taken the cover off the umbrella and tossed it in the washing machine. It was looking pretty disgusting. Keeping my fingers crossed it'll be okay. It should be washable, but I've never done this before (I didn't even know it could come off until earlier this summer). You never know with these things.





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

Live long and prosper. \\//

10/29/13

It's National Cat Day

Did you know October 29th is National Cat Day? Well, it is. In celebration, I'm sharing pics of my furry felines doing what they do best. Sleeping.

Chenille


Merino


Cashmere

They each have their own sleeping style. I've always envied cats ability to enjoy sleeping.

The Bead Knitting class on Saturday went very well. I had 7 very enthusiastic students who were there to learn. My goal was to get their beads strung on the thread and get them going on the knitting part. I was successful. There was one student who had stubborn beads that would not go on the thread. They were marked size 11's, but I think  they were mislabeled. They were way too small to be 11's. One gal provided her with a ball of thinner thread and class members took turns helping her get them strung. We took a break for lunch, and then we started the knitting part.They are supposed to have them all knitted and bound off for the next session, where they'll learn how to sew the seams and string a strap.

I got a new wig for Ellie. It's a short darker blond wig made of mohair.

Ellie and her friend the serenading frog with attitude. He used to have a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, but it disappeared one day. I think it fell in the lawn and got 'mowed'.

I ordered a size 7/8 instead of the usual 6/7 because I read that they fit better.


I think it's just a bit too big. It actually covers her ears a little bit. I'm considering fix it, rather than send it back. Then again, it looks great on her, so maybe I'll not worry about ears.

So, yesterday morning I woke up to this:



Yep! That's snow, and it was totally unexpected. It totally upset me and the fur kids. Well, except Cable, who couldn't contain her joy one little bit. Goodness! She was so excited I was worried she was gonna hurt herself dashing in and out the doggy door. The snow was thoroughly rolled in. Most of it melted away during the day, and today it's sunny out, though not what you could call warm. We can thank Alaska for that. They sent their weather down here.

Since we got our first snow, I've filled the bird feeders. Parkarosa Bird Buffet has opened, or as my daughter likes to call it - the  cat entertainment channel. All 3 were sitting on the windowsill watching the birds early this morning. So far we've had chickadees and a couple Magpies.

Live long and prosper. \\//

10/23/13

WIP Wednesday 10/23/2013

I've officially started the Christmas knitting in earnest. I found a scarf/cowl pattern that is perfect for daughter 1, so I cast on for it a couple days ago.




I picked this gorgeous yarn that's been in the stash for a couple years. It's a merino wool and silk blend. So soft. It's mostly browns with a bit of dark pink and purple.



It requires beads. I've picked a silver-lined pale pink ab size 8. It's leftovers from the wedding flowers I beaded for my daughter a few years ago.





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

Live long and prosper. \\//

10/22/13

Pair Number 7

The seventh pair I've made for Knitwits since I started making these slippers is done. This pair is for men.



Twig Brown 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
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Twiggy

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 10.5

Cast on: October 14, 2013
Completed: October 17, 2013



Here they all are.



A new project has been cast on. More about that tomorrow.

Live long and prosper. \\//

10/17/13

Playing in the Fall Leaves

Today it was a beautiful sunny fall day. Ellie decided to go outside and enjoy it while she can because we don't have very many of these kinds of days left before the snow starts flying. She made a huge pile of leaves that have fallen from the maple tree in the back yard and played in it.

She gathered an armful of leaves.



Standing knee deep in the pile, she tossed the leaves into the air. I could hear her giggling. She was having a lot of fun.



Then she sat down in the leaves and tried to bury herself in them.



Eventually, she got a bit tired, so she gathered up an arm full of the prettiest leaves to take in the house and put in a vase.



I heard her singing a rhyme as she went in:

Fun in autumn.
Tossing the leaves.
I love to do it.
I do it with ease.


Live long and prosper. \\//

10/16/13

2-Drop Peyote Ornament Cover

This months challenge in the Seadbeadersters group is 2-drop peyote. I decided to do an ornament cover, rather than a bracelet. Here's the result, which I designed.



Here's a close up of the 2-drop peyote section, which is done with 4 colors of size 8 seed beads:



And the fringe, which is made with size 11 and 8 seed beads, 4mm purple velvet swarovski crystals, 6mm purple firepolish crystals, 10mm brown firepolish crystals, huge champagne ab crystal drops (I don't know the exact size), and smaller purple crystal drops:



At first, when I finished it, I didn't care for it. Then I put it on the bulb. I love it! It's amazing how much better it looks. I wonder if I could write the pattern up for this one? Hmmm... I think I'll give it a try.

Incidently, the Seadbeadersters group is no longer on Yahoo. The changes in the Yahoo group format no longer worked for our group, so it's been moved to Facebook and Google Groups. I've joined both, though I'll probably pay more attention to the Facebook one just because it's easier for me.

It was a beautiful sunny day today. Not real warm. Only 53F degrees, but sitting in the sun was very comfortable, so I spent most of the day outside, on the deck, finishing the ornament. There was an incredibly chilly breeze that passed by every so often. I miss summer. Now it's just waiting for spring to me.

Live long and prosper. \\//

10/11/13

Just Call Me the Slipper Queen

I'm back! I had a good trip. I accomplished the goals I'd set and got things done. I also knit 3 pairs of slippers.



Brown and Turquoise Mens Slippers

Pattern: Family Foot-Warmer Slippers by Anne Baron Designs, made for Knitwits.
Size: Womens 8-10 inches

Yarn: Northern Worsted by S.R. Kertzer
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Brown

Yarn: Red Heart Soft Print
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Icypond

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 10.5

Cast on: September 26 2013
Completed: October 4, 2013

~~~~~~~~~~




Fuzzy Cuffed Burgundy Slippers

Pattern: Pattern: Fuzzy Cuffed 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: Burgundy

Yarn: Aldemir Yumos
Content: 100% Polyester, bulky weight.
Color: Rainbow Black

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 10.5

Cast on: October 5, 2013
Completed: October 7, 2013

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Fuzzy Cuffed Dark Brown Slippers

Pattern: Pattern: Fuzzy Cuffed 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: Twiggy

Yarn: Aldemir Yumos
Content: 100% Polyester, bulky weight.
Color: Copper/Brown

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 10.5

Cast on: October 7, 2013
Completed: October 11, 2013




I stayed with my baby sister, Jodie, while in northern Michigan. I had a great time with her. I think it's the best time I've ever had with her. It was so wonderful. I feel like maybe, at last, our relationship is starting to heal after all these years. While I was there, she and her husband, Dale, bought a new pickup truck. It's a 2009 Ford F-150 with 4-wheel drive. It's in beautiful condition. I took a pic of them with the new baby.


I am so tired after the trip. It was kind of exhausting. I'm gonna chill out over the weekend and recover.

Live long and prosper. \\//

10/1/13

Doll FO's

Today is my last post before leaving on my trip. I'm boarding a plane when dawn is cracking in the morning.

Last Saturday I spent the day finishing the doll outfits.

Modeled by Essential Amber Wigged Out

Little Blue Dress

Pattern: by me. Not available.

Yarn: Queensland Collection Sugar Rush in light blue
Content: 100% Sugar Cane, sport weight

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 0 and 1

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

Comments: I embroidered denim blue seed beads on the front yoke.

~~~~~~~~~~

Next, we have the little top and matching capri pants.

Modeled by Essential Amber Wigged Out


Pink Top With Fur Trimmed Yoke

Pattern: by me. Not available.

Yarn: Queensland Collection Sugar Rush in Bright Pink
Content: 100% Sugar Cane, sport weight

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 0 and 1

Cast on: September 8, 2013
Completed: September 28, 2013

Comments: I tried to make a peplum below the waist, but didn't increase enough stitches. Note to self: Double the number of stitches next time. However, I really like what I ended up with. It gives it a nice feminine look.

Modeled by Essential Amber Wigged Out


Pink and Black Capris

Pattern: by me. Not available.

Yarn: Queensland Collection Sugar Rush in Bright Pink and Black
Content: 100% Sugar Cane, sport weight

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 2

Cast on: September 23, 2013
Completed: September 28, 2013

Comments: I love the way this yarn drapes. It's perfect for doll clothes!

I had some problems with this one. The length between the crotch and waist wasn't quite long enough. I fixed it by stretching the fabric while steaming it. It worked. In fact, it worked very well. Also, the waist was just a bit too loose. So I wove some invisible elastic thread in the waist. Fixed the problem right up. Note to self: If I use size 2 needles, the waist will be wide enough that I can just add elastic and make them pull ups rather than doing snaps and a fly.

I took good notes while knitting these so I won't need the models the next time I try making them. 
That is because I am not keeping them for myself. I've packed them in my suitcase to wing their way to their new home in Michigan.

It is still raining and cold. I'm starting to seriously miss the sunshine. I hope the weather is better in Michigan.

I plan on coming back home on the 9th. Until then...

Live long and prosper. \\//