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

3/29/12

Fuzzy Mint Shrug

Finally got around to finishing this.

Front

Fuzzy Mint Shrug for Knit Wits

Pattern:  I made it up as I went along.
Size: Ladies, 52 inches from cuff to cuff.

Yarn: Ice Yarns Eyelash in Mint Green
Content:  100% Polyester, Bulky weight
Yarn: Bernat Soft Boucle' in Carnival
Content: 97% Acrylic, 3% Polyester
Yarn: Red Heart Baby Pompador in Mint Green (discontinued)
Content:  Acrylic, Nylon. Fingering weight
Yarn: Super Yarn Mart Orlon Sayelle in white. (discontinued)
Content: 86% Acrylic/14% Nylon, worsted weight.

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 10 and 13.

Cast on: January 7, 2012
Bound off: March 24, 2012

Comments: I only had 3 balls of the Eyelash and figuring out how to make an entire adult size shrug with them was quite a challenge. I decided on dropped stitch lace, a second color for stripes, and really big needles.

Detail of stitch pattern.

I added the Baby Pompadour just to give the fabric a little more body and to blend the mint green of the Eyelash with the small amount of green in the Soft Boucle'.

Back

I also knit the sleeves in the round from cuff to 10 inches from cuff, than changed to knitting flat for the body of the shrug. No seams that way. But, in all honesty, it was quite a hassle doing it that way and I would have been better off just knitting it flat and seaming the sleeves.

Folded up.

I washed the shrug yesterday. I used my washing machine on the hand wash cycle, then tumble dried it. It came out so soft and all the stitches evened out so I don't need to block it. It will do nicely as a Knit Wits donation.

Live long and prosper.\\//


3/26/12

Weekend Yarn Acquisition

So, how was your weekend? Mine was good. On Saturday the local spinning group had their annual Spin-In, which my daughter and I dropped by for just a bit to peruse the market. I wasn't able to spend the whole day there like I usually do. I got to say hello to my friends and I found a booth of sock yarn that was hard on my bank account. I bought 4 skeins of it. All of it is from Raven Ridge Fiber Arts, hand painted, and feels and looks incredible.

This colorway is called Peacock and it's 438 yards of scrumptious Superwash Merino Wool/Silk blend. It has a wonderful sheen to it. Lots of blues, purples, and a dash of teal.

Peacock

This one is called Pine Bark. It is also 438 yds of Superwash Merino/Silk blend. I'd never seen this mix of colors in one skein before. A sort of dusty pink, light eggplant, moss green, browns, and a dash of grey.

Pine Bark

This one is also called Pine Bark. However, it is browner shades of the same colors as in the skein above. It's 365 yds of a Superwash Merino/Tencel blend. The Tencel really makes it shiny. The yarn above and this one show how different fibers take dyes differently.

Pine Bark

This one is another 438 skein of Superwash Merino/Silk blend. I was drawn to the silk blends like a moth to the flame. It's called Mountain Blue Bird and is different shades of blue from Indigo to Turquoise
.
Mountain Bluebird

I do not know what I'm going to make with these. For now I'm just petting them and extremely happy to have them in my stash.

Speaking of stash, there is another yarn acquisition I wanted to share with you. A couple weeks ago I bought another one of my friend Ray's Blog Reader Special sock yarns.

Blog Reader Special 2012-0066

I think it's a wonderful blend of greens, purples, and browns. It reminds me of artichoke hearts. I was happy to buy it off his hands.

On Sunday we had a beautiful day! Sunshine, blue sky, and it got up into the 50's. I had to sit out on the deck and knit. I worked on the February Lady Sweater. Here's where I'm at so far.



In the evening we went and saw the new movie John Carter. It was excellent! Unfortunately, because of the way Disney marketed this movie, it is a flop. Very few people have gone to see it. Originally it was going to be called John Carter of Mars but the marketing execs decided the title was too geeky and probably wouldn't appeal to non-geeky people. So they took the Mars part off, which is a real shame because I know that's why people aren't going to see it. If you think about it, the biggest hit movies are geeky. Star Wars, Transformers, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, etc. The Geeks rule the world right now. Apparently they forgot that.

The other reason I think it's a flop is because no one really knows what it's about. They don't know it's based on a classic Sci-Fi series written in the early 1900's by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

The movie is based on The Princess of Mars, the first of a series of novels about a civil war vet who accidentally gets transported to Mars, meets, and falls in love with a Princess, and saves the day. The special effects are awesome. The CGI was so good I couldn't tell where it ended and the real began. I loved the Martian aliens. It was fun to watch from start to finish. I wish it had been a hit. Then there could have been a sequel, or 2, or 5 because there's 5 books in the series. Last night I bought them for my Nook. I read the first one when I was in elementary school (I've always been a Sci-Fi geek) but I never read the rest. Time to get around to doing that.

While I was getting the John Carter of Mars series for my Nook I downloaded a collection of the Tarzan novels, also by Edgar Rice Burroughs. He wrote 25 books in that series. I got the whole collection for $3.99. What a deal! I looked on Amazon and they have the same collection for Kindle.

Before I read either of those, I need to read the books I bought before them. I ran across the sequels for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo in paper back and bought them both. I've been reading Bone Walker and finally finished it yesterday morning, so I can start The Girl Who Played With Fire. Wow, I've got a lot of reading lined up.




Last, but not least, these are some flowers I bought for myself. I got them at Costco. They have brightened up the whole house. Especially today. It's been dark and snowing all day long.

Live long and prosper.\\//

3/22/12

Purple Berries

I strung something simple to wear. I call it Purple Berries.




A close up. As you can see some 12mm fluted round Czech glass, pewter bead caps, crystal rondelles, and seed beads.



My daughter took some pictures of me and Cable for me. We started out posing and ended up wrestling each other and having fun.



Awwww...



"I wuv you mommy."



I wuv you too!



Tickle tickle tickle....!



We got snow last night. It's sort of been snowing all week. It snows, then melts, then snows, then melts. Last night we got 5 inches. It's melting fast right now cuz it's over 40F degrees and the sun has come out for a bit.

Last Monday it was a beautiful sunny day, but not warm. In fact, it was in the 30F's. However, I tried sitting out on the deck and knitting. It looked like it ought to be warmer! I had a jacket and 2 blankets on me and sat directly in the sunshine. I managed to make it through 30 minutes before the hands got too cold. I think I have a severe case of spring fever to do something that crazy.

Remember that knitting group gift swap I was participating in? Well, my partner sent me a package. Yay! I should have taken pics, but it's too late now. She sent me 2 skeins of Regia Jacquard sock yarn, a package of Yarn Bras, some chocolate (which was promptly eaten), and a cherry Pi. No, I did not leave the E off of that. I meant Pi. It's a Pi (π) shaped softie made with fabric that has cherries printed on it. I love it! It's so punny!

I am making progress on the February Lady sweater. I'm well into the lace pattern of the body now. I will have pictures of it in my next post.

In the meantime, stay warm.

Live long and prosper. \\//

3/13/12

It Was a Beading Weekend

We had the most awesome weather last Friday. It was 61F degrees and sunshine pretty much all day. I spent 2 hours sitting out on the deck soaking up that sunshine and beading. It was wonderful!

The weekend weather, though, was quite disappointing. We got the warm predicted, but we also got rain, and more rain, and it was dark, and stormy, and gradually cooling off. So it was indoor weather. By Sunday evening we had new snow on the ground. At least I had Friday. That will carry me through the rest of winter.

One of the members of the Rathdrum Knitalong group loves Luis and wanted one so bad I decided, since I've been wanting to make him again, to make her one. She wanted purple.



I did not use crystals in the embellishment of this one. Instead, I used size 8 purple iris seed beads. I actually like it better than with crystals, which kind of surprises me. Again, the pattern is available here: Luis

I have joined an internet gift swap on a knitting forum. I made a set of stitch markers for it.



Just some lamp-work beads with sterling silver and crystals I had in the stash. I didn't go out and buy anything for them.

Internet swaps are a gamble. They can be a lot of fun. They can also be a horrible experience. I've been very reluctant to join another internet swap ever since the big debacle over 2 years ago. I was participating in a Yahoo bead swap group. It went well for awhile, but the last swap was a disaster. The way it worked was all of us in the group would send our swap items to the swap mom, Pamela Welborn, and she would then mix everything up and distribute the items back. We supplied the postage and the envelopes for it. I really enjoyed the swap.

The last swap was to be a beaded bead swap. I made four sets of really lovely ones and sent them in by the due date in September 2009. We all did, but Pamy never distributed them back out to us. Whenever any of us would ask about it, she would get angry and kick the asker out of the group. Eventually she kicked me out. I'd offered to help her with the shipping since she seemed to not be getting it done.

The group no longer exists now. It's been deleted from Yahoo. I've maintained contact with a couple of my fellow swapper's and she never sent the beads out. As far as I know, she still has those beaded beads, assuming she didn't make jewelry out of all of them and sell it. She totally ripped the group off and betrayed our trust. I will never do that kind of swap again, where everything is sent to one place then distributed. I also will never do business with her. She is not an honest person. I also wish there was something I could do to get her to make things right.

The swap I'm doing now is partners, and I've been paired with a very trustworthy person, so I think I'll be okay with it. It's to include a skein of yarn and small goodies. I gathered the items yesterday and they are now all wrapped in a package and ready to go. I will take it to the post office this afternoon, after Rathdrum Knitalong. I will let you know how it goes.

It is raining/snowing and blowing today. It's pretty much gonna be like this all week with temps rattling between freezing and not freezing. Actually, I think what we've got here is a week of 5 minute weather based on how the morning has gone so far. That is a sure sign that spring is coming.

Live long and prosper. \\//

3/11/12

The All Cable Channel

Today's post is brought to you by me, Cable, and my camera. Have I mentioned how much I love my camera. I did some experimenting with the 'sports' setting. It is for catching action photos. I am quite impressed with the results. These are all actions shots. Click on the pics to embiggen.

Cable and I were playing with her little stuffed Moose toy. I would throw it, she would run and get it, then run around the yard a few times with it in her mouth, then come to me where I'd take it from her and throw it again. This is her favorite game. Also, as you can see, the snow is almost gone.

Come on Mom, lets play!



Bringing Moosey to me.



Catching the vicious Moosey.



Moosey says "Squeek! Squeek!"



 Arrrrghargargrr....!



Here I come, Mom, ready or not! She was running toward me at full speed and she still came out clear.


Have I mentioned how much I love my camera?

Live long and prosper. \\//

3/7/12

WIP Wednesday 3/7/2012

It's WIP Wednesday. I took these pictures outside on the deck table. All that snow (2 feet worth) we got last week is almost gone. I got up this morning and it was sunny and clear. 11F degrees, but sunny. However, it's warming fast. By Friday it's supposed to be in the 50's. I call that deck knitting weather! I am so looking forward to it. Anyway, here's what I've been working on this week.

The yoke is almost done on the February Lady sweater. I've got about half an inch to go.



I have been rather perplexed by this project. I got gauge on the swatch, but I'm not getting it in the garment. I am, in fact, 2 sts per 4 inches too small. I did some calculations and it looks like it will fit despite that fact. I think I'm just going to continue on. I figure if it's off too much I will be able to block it out since there's the baby killing acrylic in it.

I wish the pattern had measurements in it instead of statements like "...knit garter stitch until, when you try on the sweater, the sleeves stitches almost meet under your arms." I hate that kind of thing. I'm not making this for me. The person I'm making it for lives 1000's of miles away from me. Just give us the ball park measurements for the sizes, please?! I'm gonna take a guess and hope I'm right.

As I mentioned yesterday, my friend, Ray, sent me a skein of yarn so I could develop another pattern for him. It's a skein of his sock yarn in the Lake Berry colorway. I'm going to do a fingerless mitt pattern. Here's what I've got so far. I've gone with a twisted slip stitch pattern because I think it will show up best on this highly contrasting yarn.

Back of hand

I've got what I'm calling Stacked Olives for the center of the "back of the hand" side, and a slip rib for the rest of the mitt. I do like the way the colors are striping.

Front of hand

Here's a picture I want to share that I took this morning in the back yard.



Spring is coming. I can even smell it in the air. It smells very good.

I can haz cookee, pweez?

One more thing. There was something white hanging on Cables back side. I grabbed it and it was a clump of her undercoat. She is starting to shed her winter coat. It's been a long time since I've had a dog that shed like this. Oh, the fur is soooo soft. I think I'll bag it after each brushing for future spinning.








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


Live long and prosper. \\//

3/6/12

Simple Woman's Daybook for March 6, 2012

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...
Sunshine! And most of the snow we got the week before is gone. It was a warm weekend. Actually got up to 49F.

I am thinking...
I will survive until spring. Days like this give me hope.

I am thankful...
for tape. Imagine having to live without it? Inconceivable!

In the kitchen...
is a mess. Dishes did not get done after dinner. Actually, they haven't been done since Sunday morning. Tsk tsk!

I am wearing...
my jammies and my leopard print robe.

I am creating...
a fingerless mitt pattern for my friend Ray. He sent me some gorgeous variegated yarn in black, red, white, and grey. I spent the weekend figuring out the stitch patterns to use and writing up the rough draft. Then I cast on for the first mitt and got about an inch of ribbing done.

I am going...
to Rathdrum Knitalong today cuz it's Tuesday and that is what I do on Tuesdays.

I am wondering...
what I will fix for dinner tonight. I've been answering that question almost every day for most of my life. I'm getting tired of having to answer it.

I am reading...
The Bone Walker by Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear. I really enjoy these authors books.

I am hoping...
for a peaceful and fun day.

I am looking forward to...
being able to sit out on my deck in the sunshine and knit.

I am learning
all about slip stitch patterns. More than I ever thought I would. They are really quite interesting.

Around the house...
I have a lot of stitch pattern books. I gathered them all up into one place and put them on a shelf together. I had no idea I owned that many!

I am pondering...
if I will plant a garden this year or not. It's been a few years since I've had one.

A favorite quote for today...
I want to live in a world where a chicken can cross the road without anybody questioning it's motives. ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

One of my favorite things...
is watching Cable play in the snow. It's quite funny.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
I've got Knit Wits this week. Yay! Yarnies on Thursday. The usual.

Picture thought to share...
How can you not love this face?




If you want to join the Simple Woman's Daybook, click here


Live long and prosper. \\//


3/3/12

Baby Aran in Orange





Baby Aran in Orange

Pattern: Aran Baby Cardigan from McCalls Knitting Book 5 (1972)

Size: 12 months

Yarn: Lion Brand Sayelle #133 Tile (discontinued decades ago)
Content: 100% Dupont Orlon Acrylic

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 9.

Cast on: January 1, 2012
Completed: March 3, 2012

Comments: This is, of course, my favorite baby sweater pattern. It turned out larger than the pattern sizing because I used a size 9 needle instead of size 6. I like it. The fabric is a little softer as a result.



The buttons came from my stash of antique buttons that I 'inherited' several years ago.



I made this sweater for Knit Wits (charity).



I should mention, I obtained ownership of the copyright to this pattern from the copyright holders, so I can share it with you. Click on the linky to download a PDF of it ----->  Aran Baby Cardigan

Live long and prosper. \\//

3/2/12

Copper Embers

I began this necklace in 2008. I started with the dichroic glass cabochon which I bought at the Spokane Fair the year before. It was one of those things the artist said didn't turn out the way he'd planned so he sold it to me for a dollar. I love those finds. I turned it into a bead embroidered pendant. It got set aside because I didn't know what I wanted to do with the cab after that.



The Seadbeadersters group challenge for March is Tubular Herringbone stitch. While digging around in the stash looking for ideas for this project, I ran across the cab and suddenly I knew what I was going to do. It didn't take long to make. My new necklace, which I have named Copper Embers.



The necklace is straight up Tubular Herringbone. The bulges are made by changing the bead sizes. I went from 11's to 2 rounds of 8's, one round of 6's, and back again.



As usual, I made a beaded toggle clasp.



All in all, it was a very fun project.



Now I need to buy something to wear it with.

Live long and prosper. \\//