Bracelet Swap

First, the big news. I finished knitting the hood for the lace cover up last night. Whoo hoo!!! Need to block it now, and find the instructions for the super stretchy bind off that I tried once and liked-argh. (Was that in the pattern for the Christmas garland I knitted 3 years ago? sigh)

In November I participated in an internet bead woven bracelet swap. The way it worked was we signed up, listing our favorite colors and the colors we hated, plus our wrist measurements. The Swap Mom then matched everyone up to a partner. When our bracelets were done, we sent them to Swap Mom, then she sent them on to the proper recipients. I had 2 partners, so I made 2 bracelets. I've been waiting until my partners got theirs before posting the pics I took of the bracelets. I didn't want to ruin the surprise for them.

As it turned out, one of my partners was Swap Mom. I think she did that cos we both love love love purple. That way we both get to bead something purple, and receive something purple.

This is a pattern I made up. I started with the Sidewinder pattern that was on the Howling Rabbit web site, which no longer exists. (I'm so glad I printed that pattern out.) It's basically a chevron stitch. I used that as my base, and went from there. I'm really pleased with the results. (I almost didn't send it in.) I used size 15 transparent purple seed beads and 4mm silver pearls.


My second swap partner mentioned she liked lilac and black, amongst other colors. So I put the two together, more or less, in this right angle weave bracelet. The pattern is in the August 2007 issue of Bead and Button magazine. The name of the pattern is 'Stripes Forever' and it's on page 110. I used dark bronze size 11 seed beads, satin finish lilac size 11 seed beads, and size 8 dark bronze drops.



I wanted to use a button for the clasp, but could not find one I liked. So I dug out the polymer clay and made one.


This is the second bead swap I've done. It's a lot of fun. I haven't received my bracelets yet, but I know they're on the way.

If you would like to see all the bracelets that were made for the swap, you can. Swap Mom took pics of them and made an online album. Click on the link:

Bracelet Swap 2007

Ruth is coming home for Christmas break today. She's bringing Lindy with her. I sure hope my fur kids remember her, and remember her fondly.

Have a great day.

Christmas Knitting is Done

All the Christmas knitting I had planned is done. The last item blocked. This was the last one.

Garter Rib Wristwarmers/Gauntlets

Pattern: I made it up.
Yarn: Austermann Step
Color: #15 Navy
Needles: Addi Turbo size 2 lace circulars.
Gauge: 7 stitches to the inch

Now I can concentrate fully on the Lace cover up. I'm over halfway done with the hood.


Thought I'd share my other Works In Progress. My beading class preparations are taking up quite a bit of my time of late. I've been teaching bead crochet. I am crocheting along with the students, as usual. Here's the one I started for one class. Size 8 beads, size 8 thread. The beads are matte olive, matte silver lined pale yellow, and matte iris green/brown.


For the second class, I started this rope. It's an experiment.


All I've done in bead crochet is working with one size bead in a striped spiral pattern. Haven't been real adventuresome in this department yet. So I decided to try with two sizes of beads. I've got size 8's in silver lined purple, matte ab tan, and size 10 Charlotte's in amethyst iris. It's really interesting.


Tomorrow I'm starting a series on Dutch spiral. I've been doing one in pink as a model for the class.


Then, there's this.


About 2 years ago, just before I closed the shop, I was working on a sweater for Tommy from the book Dogs in Knits, the one on the cover. I'd made one for Morgan in red, and wanted one for Tommy too. The 'going out of business' sale, then packing up and clearing out, all got in the way, and the sweater got put on hold. It was put in a box and brought home. After I kind of settled down a bit, I got this sweater out to work on it. I found the sweater and the book, but could not find the yarn for it. Well, I found it yesterday. Hurray! (While I was looking for something else which I did not find, boo hiss boo!) It's about 3/4ths done. I will finish it after the holidays. I'll have to dump that cable needle sticking out of the yarn ball. I don't need it anymore. Heh heh....

This is a picture of the view out my back door this morning. We got a few inches of snow last night.


Have a nice day.

Blocked

A couple evenings ago I glanced over at the couch and spotted this. I thought it was so funny I took a pic to share. Tommy cuddling with Dad. He really knows how to get comfortable. He fell asleep like that and slept for quite awhile.

I got the lace cover up blocked. Here's the back, all pinned out and steamed.

I laid the front on top of it so you could see the size difference before and after blocking.

The first sleeve.

Sleeves before and after.

The yarn is an acrylic/cotton blend. After steaming it has a wonderful soft drape. I'm working on the hood now. Got 4 of the 14 inches done. The directions have you sewing the shoulder seams, them picking up stitches for the hood. However, I realized that it would be difficult to block if I did that. I want the lace to be really open, so I've done a provisional cast on and I'm knitting it separate. After it's done, and blocked, I'll attach it to the neckline.

Yesterday afternoon I worked on fixing the Buccaneer Booty socks. If you'll remember, in the first sock I used size 2 needles for the whole thing. But for the second sock I switched to size 3 needles for the fairisle skull section. There was a considerable difference in stretchability between the two. You can see the size difference there at the yellow arrow.

size 2 ---------------------- size 3

So, I decided to take out the skulls in the size 2 sock and graft in a newly knitted (on size 3 needles) skull section. Should only take a couple hours, right?

Around 1pm I had this glorified idea that I'd take lots of photos and create a tutorial on the subject, but it didn't work out as planned. The black yarn was a huge problem, not just in photographing it, but in actually working on it. Despite all the lights and magnifiers I own, including an Ott light, I could hardly see the stitches to graft. I got pretty frustrated by 3pm, so I took a half hour break and cleaned up the kitchen. I then decided to scrap the tutorial plan, and just get the darn thing done. Taking an hour out of there for making and eating dinner, I got the sock done just before 10:30pm. So much for "this should only take a couple hours". It was still quicker than knitting a whole new sock though-at least, for me. Now the socks are equally stretchable and the same size.


and I know how to use the delayed timer on my camera. (Whoopdeedoo!)

Have a great day.

Busy Knitting

It's been a few days since I've posted. I've been busy knitting, among other things. Also, Chenille broke my camera. I've got it working again, so will have progress photos soon. I'll post more info in a day or two.

Have a great day.

Knittage Has Happened

No Fridays Feast. Got other things to talk about.

It's not blocked, so it's kind of wrinkly at the moment, but I have finished the first of a pair of Garter Rib Wrist Warmers (Christmas gift). See? I told you I'd come up with something to do with the extra ball of Austermann Step #15 Navy. I made the design up myself. I want to write it up as a pattern. It goes nicely with the Garter Rib socks, doncha think?



Haven't had a chance to block the lace cover up yet. Forgot I had stuff to do in Coeur d'Alene yesterday. Had to meet friends for lunch (thanks for calling and reminding me Phyllis). Then, hubby's company Christmas party is tonight so I had to get something to wear. Wasn't home all day as a result. Did find an awesome outfit to wear though. Found a really pretty top that's all drapey purple, white, and black with silver sequins, and a pair of gorgeous black velvet slacks. I even found a sexy pair of dressy low healed shoes. What's more , it was all on sale for half off. Can't complain about that.

Can't do it today either. Got errands to run, hair to get done (for party), and then the party. I'm not worried, yet. I'm certain I can block it over the weekend, and finish it up next week.

Sheesh! It's been a busy week.

I managed to get the ornaments on the Christmas tree. It's officially 'done'. As you can see, we have a slim tree. I really like it a lot.


This is a close up of the skirt. I crocheted this for our tree on our first Christmas, which I'm thinking was in 1997? (Will have to ask Sarah. She'll remember what grade she was in at the time.) It's a pattern from either an old Annies Attic magazine, or maybe Hooked on Crochet magazine. There's gold sparkles in the yarn, but they don't show here.


Last night I made a necklace and bracelet set to go with the new outfit. I wanted something really sparkly, but sort of delicate, rather than my usual chunky spirally stuff. I used size 15 black and silver lined crystal seed beads, 4mm clear ab Swarovsky crystals, 6mm dark purple iris fire polish Czech crystals, and 8mm amethyst AB fire polish Czech crystals. Just a simple stringing project, but I sure like how it turned out. (Click on the picture for a larger view)

Well, I got things to do, so I better get busy.

Have a great day!

Our Knit Wits Donation Meeting

To all my loved ones who might be reading this. A pic of me might be in the newspaper, if not today, than some day soon. Don't know if it was the Spokesman Review, or the Coeur d'Alene Press. I didn't ask. There was a reporter and a photographer at our Knit Wits meeting yesterday, and pics were taken of us sitting at the table knitting (and laughing, as usual). They interviewed some of the members, but not me. I think I was too young. I noticed they interviewed the members that were 80 or over. Left us young 'uns alone. Just took lots of pictures of us.

Why the attention? It was the official 'Donation' meeting, where all the stuff we've been making all year is brought to the meeting (bags and bags and bags of stuff) and given to the various organizations we've been knitting, and crocheting, for. We had a total of 1636 items. Not bad for a couple dozen yarnaholics. I felt so good about being a member of the Knit Wits at that meeting. It is wonderful to be able to use my passion to help others. By the way, they're calling me the groups toy maker. There were lots of toys, I only made three of them, but I'm the toy maker. I thought that was funny.

Wait 'til I start making Gnomes!

Jan didn't bring the yarn to the meeting. Our yarn is stored at her house and each month she packs it all into her car (I mean STUFFS it all in her car. When she opens the door upon arriving, a bag always flies out under the pressure.) and brings it to the meeting. We unpack it, have a feeding frenzy, then pack what's left back in her car. She didn't bring the yarn because her car was stuffed full of bags of donation items. No room for yarn.

The funniest thing that happened at the meeting? Someone else brought a donation of yarn in a small bag. Geez! The feeding frenzy that followed was hilarious! You'd think some of these gals hadn't seen yarn in years! Got projects to make for next year! Need yarn! I managed to snag some purple cotton. Stocking up for Gnomes.

I am really impressed by the output of some of our members. Some of the ladies will get 2 or 3 afghans done in a month, or half a dozen shrugs, or a dozen slippers, or 5 baby outfits. My measly little one item every 2 months seems so... pathetic.

If you live in the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho area, and you have machine washable yarns that you won't be using, we would love to take it off your hands. You can leave your donation at the

Lake City Senior Center
1918 Lakewood Drive
Coeur D'Alene, Idaho

Or leave me a comment with your email address and I'll get a hold of you about picking it up if it's necessary.

If you wanna join our group? We meet at the Lake City Senior Center the 1st Wednesday of the month at 1-3pm. There are no dues or fees. You just have to knit the yarn we have into donation items. We get free dessert and coffee too, plus lots of laughing. Laughing is always good.

Have a great day.

Must. Have. Gnome.

I have some interesting blogs in my Bloglines feed subscription. One is about knitted toys. I love to make knitted toys. Yesterday someone posted their latest creation. Knitted Gnomes. They are the most adorable cutest most fantastic toy pattern I have every seen in my life. I MUST have that pattern!!!!

I thought about 'stealing' one of the Gnome pics to post here, so you could see what I'm talking about. But, I just couldn't do that to the knitter. So, do me a favor, click on the below link, look at them, then hit the back button to come back here and finish reading this post.

The most adorable knitted Gnomes in the Universe


Oh, wait. I found one I can steal. I've Googled until I found the information I needed. I share it with you so you don't need to do the research.

This is a pattern designed and written by a fellow named Alan Dart that was featured in a UK magazine called Simply Knitting a few years ago. Apparently, it's so popular they've put it in a new book, which I have ordered, just so I can have this pattern. The book is actually patterns from past issues of the magazine. I'm looking forward to seeing what else it has to offer. I've always loved British knitting patterns for machine knitting. (I used to pay a fortune to subscribe to a couple of them.) I would expect the hand knitting ones to be just as nice.

Upon more investigation, I found Alan Dart has a whole bunch of really neat toy patterns, which are sold by Sirdar. A very talented fellow, but I like the Gnome the most.

Must. Have. Gnome.

Why isn't his stuff being sold in the U.S.? There are some really really talented designers in other countries. Today I am so happy to have the internet. Without it, I would not know about these other designers.

Today I am so happy to have a credit card. Can't have Gnomes without it.

I wish I'd discovered this during the summer. I'd be making Gnomes for all my loved ones for Christmas. Gnomes Gnomes, beautiful Gnomes.

How did I manage to live all these years without a Gnome? I shall make Gnomes for Knit Wits next year. Lots and lots of Gnomes.

Have a Gnomey day!

Cool Sock Club

I've been knitting like crazy the past couple days in an effort to catch up to what I lost being sick. (I am feeling so much better, btw). I finished the second sleeve of the cover up--HURRAY!, and I've started a new project meant to be a Christmas present (the last of the knitted presents, whew!). I even worked on a long neglected beading project (I'm gonna need it later this month for a class) I won't be able to get to the blocking of the cover up until Thursday. Today I had a bead crochet class to teach. Tomorrow I have bead group and then another bead crochet class to teach. Wednesday is spinning group and Knit Wits meeting. Sheesh! It's gonna be a busy week!



Whilst blogging this morning, I came across a really cool Sock club that is easy to join. It's designed specifically for those of us who already have large stashes of sock yarn, thus aren't willing to join the 'usual' sock clubs (where you pay money and get yarn and pattern in the mail every month or so). It's really easy to do too. Click on the colorful graphic above for more information.

Also found a description of the most awesome retirement home ever on the Go Knit In Your Hat blog. When I get old, I want to go to Purlin' Acres.

We are having a pineapple express in north Idaho. Sunday afternoon the weather warmed up and it's been raining like crazy ever since. The ground is frozen, so the 7 inches of snow that was there is melting fast and forming lakes everywhere. I had to wade through 4 inches of water to get to my car this morning. Very sloppy, to say the least. I'm glad I live on the top of a slope, and not at the bottom. I'm also glad I own a kayak. It may come in handy.

I've been sort of keeping an eye on the rising prices of knitting designer Alice Starmore's Out-Of-Print books over the past few years, since she pulled them off the market. As you'll see in my list of projects in the works (in the side bar), I'm working on Margaret Tudor, which is in her Tudor Roses book. I am amazed. A year ago you could get this book for less than retail ($29.95). Now it's going for as much as $350-used. I have copies of all her books. They came with the shop when we first bought it. I'm starting to think of them as my retirement savings. They aren't anything really special. Just knitting patterns. But folks are practically worshiping them these days. Who would have thought?

(Don't ask if I'm willing to sell any of mine. I'm not.)

Have a great evening.

Christmas Meme

I found this Christmas Meme on Rae's World and thought I'd do it. It's been kind of fun. Feel free to 'steal' it for your blog should you so desire.

(Btw Rae, you left out Vixen.)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Most of the time it's wrapping paper, and I love decorating with ribbons and stuff afterwards. I'm well known for my creative uses of leftover yarns on present wrappings.

2. Real or Artificial tree ?

Fake. See post about Cats and Christmas Trees.

3. When do you put up the tree?

The day after Thanksgiving, though it usually takes me the rest of the week to get it decorated.

4. When do you take the tree down?

January 2nd.

5. Do you like Eggnog?

Yes I do, but I have to go easy on it cos it upsets my tummy.

6. Favorite Gift you received as a child?

We didn't celebrate Christmas when I was a child.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

No. Until we get our beliefs sorted out, Sweet Hubby and I have chosen to leave the religious aspect of Christmas out for now, and celebrate the love and family aspect.

8. Hardest person to buy for?

Sweet Hubby, cos 9 times out of 10 if he decides he wants something, he just goes and gets it, leaving me nothing to surprise him with.

9. Easiest person to buy for?

Daughter Sarah. I always know what she'll like.

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?

That would be the Black and Decker Scum Buster. When it first came out, we were in a department store and I saw one. I said, and I quote, "Oh, that looks interesting." Sweet Hubby interpreted that to mean "I really really really really want that for Christmas." It was, and is, a piece of junk. A good old fashioned scrub brush and some elbow grease is quicker and better.

11. Christmas Cards...Snail mail or E-mail?

When I send them, it's by Snail mail.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kay.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

Around October.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Yes I have.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Sister in law Sue's Christmas cookies.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

Changes from year to year. This year it's clear. Last year was multi. The year before was strictly purple. The year before that was blue.

17. Favorite Christmas Song?

White Christmas

18. Travel at Christmas or Stay Home?

We usually stay home cos that's where Sweet Hubby's family is. This year, though, we're leaving Christmas day to go on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. I can hardly wait!

19. Can you name Santa's Reindeer?

Yes: Prancer, Dancer, Dasher, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen, & Rudolph

20.Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree?

Star

21. Open the Presents Christmas Eve or Morning?

Both. Christmas Eve we open the presents the family exchanges at dinner we have together. Christmas morning we open up what's under our tree.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

The stress.

23. Shopping...mall or online?

Both.

24. Do you decorate outside for Christmas or just inside (or at all?)

Mostly inside, but I do manage to get Sweet Hubby to put some lights on the house. We used to have a whole set of those white lighted reindeer too, but they don't work anymore.

25. Favorite Christmas cookie?

Anything Sue makes.

26. Do you own Christmassy clothing or jewelry?

Well, heck, yes! I have a whole collection of tacky Christmas sweaters which I wear proudly every year.

27. Do you believe in Santa?

No, but I like to play the game.


Have a great day.

I Had Hoped

to post pics of the finished cover up sleeve, but I've ended up feeling so lousy I went to bed instead of knitting. Does someone know the phone number of the roto rooter man? My head is plugged.

This is the list of the things I did get done yesterday:
1) Scooped litter box.
2) Put folded laundry away (that I'd folded the night before).
3) Put 14 ornaments on the tree.
4) Washed tree skirt after dog peed on it.

After that last one I called it quits, curled up in my leather hug (also known as the recliner) and thumbed my nose at the world. It's hard to have a cold when you have asthma.

I just realized, I never checked the mailbox yesterday. And no visits from the delivery guys.

I have found 3 badges that I can post on the blog for finishing NaBloPoMo. The first is Meh, the other two I like. I can't decided which one I want. (It will go in the side bar). Any opinions out there?

This is the 'official' one, but it seems kind of bland:


This is one created by Subversive Cross Stitch:



This one was created by Mrs. Fussypants:


I'm going back to bed now.

Would someone please bring me a hot cuppa tea?

Have a great day.