Striped Coralroot

 On Saturday, the  20th, my daughter took our dog for a walk on the Parkarosa, which means she walked around our property on the trails my husband made a long time ago. She came home very excited. She'd found a new wildflower growing along the trail. We've walked that trail hundreds and hundreds of times, so we know when something new pops up. When spring starts, one of the first things we do is walk the trails looking for specific wildflowers. The first one we look for is Buttercups, because they're usually the first to bloom, sometime in late March to mid April.

Anyway, she was very excited and took pictures of it with her phone. Upon seeing these pictures, I got even more excited because it looked like an orchid, which are very rare on our property. We looked it up on Google and sure enough. It's an orchid! She then took me to where it was. Dang! One of them was actually in the middle of the trail. I've taken pictures.

This is a Striped Coralroot Orchid.

Definitely something we've not had before. Probably sprouted from a seed that dropped off an animal walking by, or maybe a bird flying over This is a close up of an individual flower.

Isn't it gorgeous? The flowers are very small. Maybe half an inch across. There were 5 plants total. 

You might notice the little yellow powder grains on it. That is pine pollen. The air is thick with it right now. Everything outside is covered in pollen. This happens every year, but it is especially thick this year.

We've had a couple weeks of record breaking heat. We're talking 80's and 90's! It's very unusual to be that hot in May. I admit I was enjoying the deck more than usual. Today, though, it is much cooler. Stayed in the mid to upper 50's. It felt good to cool off. It will be like this for the next few days. I'm hoping for a bit of rain to wash all the pollen off everything. So far, none is in the forecast.

That's all for today. Talk at ya later.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Ombre Hat For KnitWits

 I had finished the blanket for the layette and wanted to start something new right away, but wasn't quite ready to start the next layette set, so I dug in the patterns and decided to knit this hat.

Pattern: Quick Ombré Hat by Emily Dormier

Size: Child

Yarn: American Thread Company Dawn Sayelle (Discontinued)
Content: 100% Dupont Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Bluebell

Yarn: Unknown acrylic
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: White

Needles: Circular size 8

Started: April 26, 2023
Finished: April 29, 20223

Comments: This is a fun knit. It knits up very quickly and the stitch pattern is a lot easier than it looks. It would be a great pattern for a beginner in stranded knitting to make. I knit the child size, but it comes in sizes from infant to men's.

Here is the top.

And the other side.

I plan to make more of these for KnitWits. It's a free pattern on Ravelry, if you are interested.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Layette Set #58 For KnitWits

 First one for the year, 58th one total. Another layette set is done. It's actually been a year since the last set was made. Didn't seem like it was that long ago. Another gal in KnitWits made a whole bunch of layette sets last year, so we filled our order number rather quickly. I admit, I enjoyed being able to knit something else for KnitWits. Now it's back to layette sets.

Cardigan

Pattern: Super Natural Stripes by Fawn Pea

Size: 3-6 months

Yarn: Caron Knit and Crochet Yarn (Discontinued)

Content: 100% Dupont Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Baby Yellow

Yarn: American Thread Company Dawn Sayelle (Discontinued)
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Bluebell

Yarn: KnitPicks Mighty Stitch
Content: 80% Acrylic/20% Washable wool, worsted weight
Color: White

Needles: Circular size 8

Started: March 20, 2023

Finished: April 3, 20223

Comments: It's been awhile since I've knit this pattern. It's one of my favorites. I wanted to use a ducky button but I could not find one around here, so I settled for a plain blue one that was in the stash.

I like the combination of colors. A soft yellow looks so pretty with that blue.

Hat

Pattern: My own pattern.

Size: 3-6 months

Yarn: Caron Knit and Crochet Yarn (Discontinued)

Content: 100% Dupont Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Baby Yellow

Yarn: American Thread Company Dawn Sayelle (Discontinued)
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Bluebell

Yarn: KnitPicks Mighty Stitch
Content: 80% Acrylic/20% Washable wool, worsted weight
Color: White

Needles: Circular size 8

Started: April 4, 2023

Finished: April 11, 20223

Comments: Same old hat I usually make. Had to find my notes though cuz it had been so long since I've made it I couldn't remember how many to cast on.

Booties

Pattern: Seamless Garter Tassel Booties by Karen Strauss

Size: 3-6 months

Yarn: Caron Knit and Crochet Yarn (Discontinued)

Content: 100% Dupont Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Baby Yellow

Yarn: American Thread Company Dawn Sayelle (Discontinued)
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Bluebell

Yarn: KnitPicks Mighty Stitch
Content: 80% Acrylic/20% Washable wool, worsted weight
Color: White

Needles: Circular size 8

Started: April 14, 2023

Finished: April 20, 20223

Comments: I have been using this pattern for almost all my booties, except I've modified it every single time. This is the first time I've knit it exactly as written. Kind of cute with the little tassels!

Blanket

Pattern: The usual Shell stitch.
Size: 30 by 36 inches

Pattern: Seamless Garter Tassel Booties by Karen Strauss

Size: 3-6 months

Yarn: Big Twist from Joann's

Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Pale Yellow

Yarn: American Thread Company Dawn Sayelle (Discontinued)
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Bluebell

Yarn: KnitPicks Mighty Stitch
Content: 80% Acrylic/20% Washable wool, worsted weight
Color: White

Hook: Size G

Started: April 27, 2023

Finished: April 28, 20223

Comments: It took me awhile to realize what the ducks are wearing in this print. A towel and slippers is the answer, and they are holding a rubber ducky.

Well, the daughters birthday came and went last week and I don't have the bicycle project done. I ran into a problem with the back stitching. There is a fairly large amount of long straight lines, like for the spokes on the wheels, and along the edge of the frame, and I didn't know how to stitch them. The pattern says nothing, except to use 1 strand of black thread. I consulted with my fellow cross stitchers in one of the Facebook groups. I don't want to just do long stitches because they're too long. They need to be anchored in some way. I got several answers, but I'm going to try doing a long stitch and couching it every inch or so first to see how I like it.

I ordered a frame, mat, and backboard for framing but it hasn't come yet. Hasn't even shipped yet. Normally I get my orders from Framesbymail.com within just a few days so I'm wondering what is going on. I guess I'll have to email them.

Our weather the last few days has been INCREDIBLE! We've had sunshine, blue sky, and warm temperatures. Our snow is pretty much gone and the trees and bushes are budding out. It got up over 80F yesterday! I spent a good deal of time out on the deck the whole weekend. I knitted, and cross stitched, and read, and watched the newly arrived hummingbirds enjoying the food I put out for them. 

I recently got a new library card and I'm reading a novel by a couple of my favorite authors, W. Michael and Kathleen O'Neil Gear. The book is titled Lightning Shell. It's historical fiction, taking place during prehistoric time featuring ancient Native Americans in what is now the state of Louisiana. It's been an entertaining book so far. I'm enjoying it so much.

That's the news for now.

Live long and prosper. \\//

HOORAY! The Last Crossed Stitch

 Last night I finished the very last crossed stitch and bead stitch on the bicycle. Good grief, what a job.

I still need to do the back stitching, which will predominantly be around the bicycle itself. There'll be spokes on the wheels when that's done. It's my favorite part of cross stitch so I'm looking forward to it.

I finished knitting the hat and 1 bootie for the current layette set. It will definitely be complete before next month.

Another reason for Hoorays: Spring has finally arrived. My tiny little crocuses are in bloom.

The Salome daffodils are peaking their little heads up above the soil, and most of the snow is gone. I know this is kind of an ugly pic. The skirting on our house was damaged during the winter. This is the temporary fix until it is warm enough to do it right. We plan on replacing all the skirting and siding this summer. It's worn out and damaged.

We're having our 5 minute weather days too. I took Zoey to the groomer to get her nails clipped today, which is literally a 5 minute drive away, and I got snowed on and hailed on. When I got out of my car the sun peaked out. Now it's raining and snowing at the same time. It's both fun, and annoying.

Weather is warmer, though they said last night on the news that it's below average temperatures. I'm trying to talk myself into going out and raking up all the pinecones that have fallen on the lawn. There's a lot of them. It will take me more than one day to do the job.

The neighborhood turkeys are doing their mating calls and rituals. I've seen several toms doing their dances for a crowd of hens. It's interesting to watch them. 

I love spring.

Live long and prosper.\\//

WIP Update

I know it's a bit late, but Happy Easter. I hope you had a good one. We don't really celebrate Easter, though I did get Ruth a white chocolate Unicorn. We used to when the girls were younger. Did family brunches, followed be Easter egg hunts and, weather permitting, a softball game or two. 

Thought I'd update on the WIPs. I spent the day working on the bicycle. Actually, I've been going gung ho on the bicycle since my last post. I've got most of the beading done. Just a little more purple, and a bit of green left.

I've learned I need to wear some kind of magnifier or it's too much strain on the ol' eyes. I've been wearing my MagnaClip magnifier. I like it because I can watch tv and stitch at the same time with it.

All of today's stitching was on the rear basket.

The white bits among the flowers will be filled with lime green beads.

In knitting, I'm done with a baby cardigan. Just needs a button.

Now I'm working on the hat.

I've come to the point where I start decreasing for the crown.

Had an odd thing happen today. Someone hacked into my Facebook account. He posted something that was against FB rules and that's how I found out. I didn't post it. Fortunately, while dealing with it, I got a place to click I hadn't posted it. Facebook then deleted him from my account and shut it down. I had to go through some steps for security, including changing my password, which, by the way, is much stronger than the one I had before. When I finally was able to get into my own account again, I found he'd added a few guys to my friends list. I unfriended them right away. Good grief. I don't understand people who spend all their time screwing up other people's internet stuff. Some people really need to get a life.

Had nice weather yesterday and Friday. Today was rainy. Even got a flood warning from the AccuWeather app on my phone, though I don't know why. It didn't rain that much. Besides, we live on a hill far away from anything that might flood. Noah would have to be in the neighborhood for us to worry. All in all, it was a nice peaceful day.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Hounds-tooth Hat

 New hat for KnitWits

Pattern: Houndstooth Slouch Beanie by Kat Riley
Size: Adult

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Dark Sage

Yarn: KnitPicks Mighty Stitch
Content: 80% Acrylic/20% Washable Wool, light worsted weight
Color: White

Needles: Circular size 8

Started: March 13, 2023
Finished: March 20, 2023

Comments: I modified this hat by shortening it by 2 inches and changed the cuff, so it doesn't look like the original design. I don't really care for slouchy hats. I used the pattern as a means to get what I wanted. This pattern is not good for beginning knitters. It gets complicated when the decreasing for the crown starts. It's pretty when it's done.

I seem to have gone back to making Hound's-tooth Check.

Not quite happy with the cuff, but that's easy to fix on the next one.

I have started a new layette set.

I've made a little progress on the beaded stitches. I worked on it quite a bit over the weekend.

Late Saturday night, I discovered a big mistake that could not be fudged around. I started doing the grapes and found I'd stitched that whole section of green in the upper left corner (above) two rows too low. I had to take the whole thing out. I've never had to take a whole section out like that before. I started by pulling each stitch out one at a time, with the intent to save the floss, but it didn't take long for me to realize that was going to be impossible. I sped the job up by digging out my seam ripper. Still took 2 hours though. I replaced everything I took out by Sunday evening.

Our weather has warmed up! It's actually a beautiful warm sunny day. It's 54F as I write this. The snow is melting very fast. I hope it keeps up, though the weather guy on the news, last night, said we'd be getting just a bit more snow before it's all over. In the meantime, I'm so glad it's "officially" spring! For me, though, spring is when the snow is gone and flowers are starting to bud, and I can sit out on the deck. I can't today cuz there's a whole lot of snow in the way.

If we keep having days like today, it could be gone by this time next week. 

Hooray, I've made it through another winter!

Live long and prosper. \\//

WIP Wednesday 3/15/2023

 A quick WIP post. In knitting- I know I said I was going to start a layette set, but instead, I started another hat. I found a houndstooth check hat pattern. Using leftover yarn from the last hat project.

I've arrived at the row when the crown decreases begin. It's going to be complicated because I have to keep the stitch pattern going at the same time I decrease. Trying to figure out how I'm going to do that because the pattern isn't really much good at explaining it.

I'm still working on the cross stitch bicycle. I've finally finished all the non-bead stitches. 

I was going to start with green beads first, but upon thinking about which size Q-snap I want to use, I realized putting the purple flowers in the baskets will only need a small frame, so I'm starting with that instead. Now I'm working out how I'm going to do it while sitting in the Hug, because I really don't want to sit at the dining room table for hours. I have to figure out how to have a shallow dish of beads in my lap that won't spill. I think I'm going to use my lap desk that I use for beading. I got it from a friend. It's a plastic bead board with a cushion under it. It's pretty stable as long as none of the fur kids try to get in my lap.

We had a lot of snow last week. Started Thursday night, and snowed all day Friday. Completely buried the barbeque grill. Ruth kindly shoveled it out and made a path for the cats too. I cooked hamburgers for dinner on Sunday. Made homemade potato salad too. Oh, it was soo good. So glad I didn't have to wait for all the snow to melt to do that.

This week our temperatures are steadily raising, and it rained all day yesterday, so that new snow is melting fast. I hope that's the last of the big storms. I'm sure we'll get little flurries here and there for a few weeks, but please, no more big ones.

Live long and prosper. \\//