WIP Wednesday June 21, 2022

 I've got a new WIP to share. But first, I want to let you know I have finished Lovelia, the cardigan and pants for my new niece. I just have to make a hat and some socks and the set will be complete. No pictures until the complete set is done.

In the meantime, here's the start of a wonderful fairisle hat I'm making for KnitWits.

This is The Bonnie Hat, the official hat of this years Shetland Wool Festival, which I can't go to cuz it's on another continent far far away, but I love the hat patterns they put out every year. This one will have ship anchors on it, and waves. A decidedly ocean theme, and very masculine. Since KnitWits is short on mens hats, I'm whipping one up. I'm using machine washable sock yarns.

The Choke Cherry trees have been blooming this past week. I thought I'd take some pictures. I think they're beautiful, and the flowers smell like cherry blossoms. We start with this one with a sunbeam glowing.

This is the top of the tree.

Here is a close up. I love the tentacles reaching out with a little spot of pollen on them.

They're such a beautiful shade of cream.

I took a picture of this wildflower in hopes someone will know what it is.

For some reason I thought it was Milkwort, or maybe Figwort, but I am not remembering correctly. I know it's in one of my wildflower books. I have 3. I can't find one of them and that's the book this flower is in. Urgh. If you can identify it, please leave a comment?

Here is a close up. They grow about 12 to 18 inches tall, but the leaves stay low on the ground. The flowers are about a quarter inch and stay cupped with those bright yellow stamens peaking out. They don't open all the way up. They're covered in soft thin hair which I find fascinating.

Well, that's all for today.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Red Checkered Hat

 I have a new hat finished for KnitWits.

Pattern: Patons Check Mate Fairisle Hat
Size: Mens

Yarn: KnitPicks Mighty Stitch
Content: 80% Acrylic/20% Wool, worsted weight
Color: 26815 Serrano

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: 312 Black

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft

Content: 100% Acrylic

Color: 2601 White

Needles: Circular size 8

Started: May 22, 2022
Finished: June 8, 2022

Comments: Second time I've knit this pattern. I love the color combination. It makes me think of Buffalo Check.

Here's a close up of the crown. Not my best work, but it'll do.

Laid flat.

I have exciting news! I have a new-to-me Prius.

It's a 2012 Toyota Prius V hybrid, which is a little larger than the standard Prius. It's about as big as my former Camry. The color is Pearl White, which is iridescent like a pearl, but that doesn't show in the photo. It has 112,000 miles on it, which is pretty low for a Prius this old. It's in beautiful condition.

There were two problems that concerns us. The check engine light was on, and the tire pressure warning light was on. They figured that there were a couple sensors that have gone bad, so the dealer agreed to include repair of both items as part of the purchase price. One was repaired last Thursday, and the other one gets repaired next Friday. It was $12,999. I got a very nice trade in value for the Camry and by the time it was all added up, we owed $3000, so Doug took the money out of the retirement fund and we paid cash so we owe nothing.

The next day I drove to the dealership to give them the title for the Camry. On the way home, I decided to run through a new car wash that opened a couple months or so ago. I got the works, got in line, and was soon drifting through the gauntlet. However, when I got to the section where powerful air blowers blow the water off the car, something awful happened.

There are two rubber strips on the top of the car over the doors. They don't really serve a purpose, except maybe to act as gutters to keep rain from draining over the doors. The blowers in the car wash were extremely powerful. More than any other car wash I've taken a car through. They actually blew both strips off the top of my car. When I came out, one was hanging in front of the driver side window, the other was just plain gone. The manager came running toward my car. He put the hanging strip back on. Then he went inside to see if anyone had picked up the second one, He came out with 2 rubber strips which he said come off Toyotas in there quite often, but neither of them fit my car. He went back inside to watch camera footage to see where it went after blowing off my poor car. He saw where it landed, but he couldn't go get it because it was in a dangerous place. I would have to wait until they closed for him to get it out.

The next day I went to the carwash, but they did not have my rubber strip. The manager claimed it wasn't there. He asked for another day to look for it. As of today, it has never been found, so they are going to purchase a replacement strip, and I'm never taking a car through that place again.

One more picture. My Rhododendron is blooming. Yay! (Ignore the weeds.)

Live long and prosper. \\//

WIP Wednesday 6/1/2022

 An update on how things are going. I have both legs done on Lovelia and now I'm working on the upper pants part. With any luck, I'll get them done this week. It's a busy one, though. I've got KnitWits later today, and a couple appointments on Thursday.

I thought the pants from the Norwegian snow set were complicated? They pale in comparison. There's mistakes in this part of the pattern. I think I've figured out how they're supposed to be.

I have finished the little cardigan. Just needs blocking.

Here is the second Checked hat.

I hope you had a good Memorial Day weekend. I did. It rained on Friday and Saturday so I binge watched Downton Abby and worked on the pants. 

I have the DVD set of all 6 seasons. I found it on Ebay for an incredibly low price, and the set was brand new, still in it's packaging. Every once in awhile I find a good bargain on there.

Monday ended up being a beautiful day so I got to spend some time out on my deck for awhile soaking up sunshine, and knitting, of course.

Live long and prosper. \\//

The June Hat

I can't believe how quick this knit up. It's a pattern I found on Ravelry that is free. It originally comes from a blog that posted a new hat pattern every month, thus the name:  June Hat

Pattern: June Hat by Meghan Kelly

Size: Adult

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

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Navy Blue

Needles: Circular size 8

Started: May 18, 2022
Finished: May 20, 2022

Comments: This is a fun pattern! It knits up very quickly and didn't take much yarn. A word of warning, it's worked in mostly purl stitches. 

I know lots of knitters are afraid of, or avoid, purl at any cost, even going as far as knitting sweaters in the round and then cutting the knitting to make cardigans and sleeve openings. I don't know why. It's not hard to do. They need to stop it. Knit this hat to get over your hang up, please?  The vertical knit columns are slip stitch.

Close up of the stitch pattern. I was looking for something in mosaic stitch when I found it.

The crown of the hat is pretty cool.

It fits a little slouchy on my mannequin. Not on my head though.

I am definitely happy with this hat. I shall pass it on to KnitWits.

We've been having 5 minute weather the last couple days or so, and still chilly. Zoey found a brief sunbeam to lay in for a bit.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Check Mate Fairisle Hat

A finished project. Hurray!

Pattern: Patons Check Mate Fairisle Hat

Size: Mens

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

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Navy Blue

Needles: Circular size 8

Started: May 4, 2022
Finished: May 17, 2022

Comments: The hat, of course, is way too big for my little Styrofoam head, but you get the idea how it'll look worn. This is a simple free pattern that was a lot of fun to knit. I used a size larger needles because I've been knitting tight of late. I like to match gauge.

This is going to KnitWits. We have enough layette sets, and are in serious need of mens hats. I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. I love making hats. It's a quick way to try new knitting techniques and stitches.

This is the top of the hat.

And this is a close up of the stitch pattern.

I plan to make another one in grey, black, and red.

I have started the next hat. I'm about halfway through it. I'm using the leftovers from the above hat. It's done in Mosaic stitch, which was invented by Barbara G. Walker. I've never knit the technique before. It's been pretty easy.

This is my flowering Cherry at peak bloom.

It's loaded with several kinds of bees just having a grand time gathering pollen, and a couple of male hummingbirds too. At least, when it's not raining. My flowering Plum opened a couple days ago. Waiting for some sun to take pics. Should get some over the weekend.

We've had a lot of rain this month. We went from about 80% normal snow pack to 129% in just a few weeks. We have had unseasonably cool weather. Longest length of time under 70F degrees. I am okay with that, though. We really needed the precipitation, being there's been a drought for a few years in this area. I hope the extra moisture will help keep fire danger down come late summer.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Another WIP

 I didn't mention this WIP yesterday because forgot to take pictures, so thought I'd wait until I do. I did.

Last week, when I went to KnitWits I found out we don't need anymore layette sets for this year. We have enough, for probably the first time ever. However, we DO need mens hats and mittens. We're way behind on that need. Hurray! There are several hat patterns I've been wanting to knit. This works out perfectly, and I get a break from layettes. I started this hat last week after I got home from the meeting.

Navy blue, tan, and white---nice manly colors. I found a checkered pattern that looks intriguing on the Yarnspiration web site. So far, so good!

I haven't blocked the Lovelia sleeves yet, but all the ends are woven in. I cast on for the first pant leg this morning at Yarnies. I though about taking ol' checkers up there, but I really need to get those pants going.

The flowering cherry is at peak bloom. It's so beautiful this year.

Still waiting for the plum buds to open. It was beautiful this morning. Blue sky, fluffy white clouds. Got up to 63F in Coeur d'Alene. The clouds have moved in now and it's cooled off considerably. I think rain is on its way.

Live long and prosper. \\//

WIP Wednesday 5/11/2022

 Time for a WIP post. Still chugging along on Lovelia. I got the body done, blocked, shoulders joined, and button bands done.

I tried a new buttonhole, which is called the One Row Buttonhole, which I like a lot. It looks pretty good.

I've knit both sleeves and woven in the ends on one of them.

It took 2 hours to weave the first one. I watched a movie while I did it.

I finished a small project yesterday that has been nagging me for weeks. A few years ago we bought new recliners. My husband wanted one that was comfortable for him. He found a giant Lazy Boy beast that he loved, so we bought two of them because I wanted matching recliners in my living room. 

Not my best moment. I hated the thing. It's so big I can't touch the floor with my feet when sitting in it, reaching the handle to recline was hard, and the upholstery fabric was a cheap velvety brown weave that ripped very easily when the fur kids jumped up on it. I finally decided to chuck it and bring the leather hug back out of storage that I love so much. Who cares about matching chairs.

The chair has been sitting in the sun room taking up space. I want to get rid of it, but I felt the need to patch the hole in the foot rest. I bought a remnant of a nice brown fabric and I made a patch. I sewed it on yesterday. 

I used the blanket stitch to sew it on. Not my best job, but it works. Now I can feel good about giving it to someone. 

Patching brought back memories of when I was a little girl and patching the knees in my jeans. It was the thing everyone did back then. It was common to dress up those patches. I did embroidery, and sewed on rhinestones and sequins. It was a good reason for creativity. I think it's a shame people don't do that anymore.

We've had quite a bit of rain the past few days. It rained hard too! One night the storm rained so hard I was wondering if the roof could hold up to it. The flowering cherry tree was just starting to bloom. I was sure the rain had beat all the flowers off it, but when I got up the next morning it was still covered in blossoms.

I think it's extra pretty this year. It's kind of a weird shaped little thing, thanks to the moose chews before we built the fence around the back yard. 

The flowering plum tree is covered in bulging buds, but hasn't opened yet. It's a beautiful sunny day today. I'm hoping that gives it some encouragement.

A unique experience happened last week. Unfortunately, I was unable to take pictures. Zoey woke me up early with barking. She was looking out the bedroom window and barking her head off. I reluctantly got up and looked out the window. There was a herd of about a dozen white tail deer down the hill, on the other side of the fence. They all looked like does. Two of them were fighting! They stood on their hind legs and waved their front hooves at each other, trying to hit each other, and all the other does were just standing in a big circle watching. It was pretty funny looking. They all ran away when they saw me in the window. Never a dull moment on the Parkarosa.

Live long and prosper. \\//