Blu's Knitting & Needlework

New Sock of Kindness

2009-01-28T23:11:00.005-06:00

Ok, ok!!!! My knitting blog was getting increasingly jealous when I updated the boring blog with today's snowfall and the stained glass blog with progress on my fireplace screen, so I was FORCED to update this one, as well.

This is what I've been working on:

The new rendition of the Sock of Kindness. I think it looks lots better than the previous one done in the purple. As you can see, the second sock is well underway, and should be done within the week.

Unfortunately, it seems the blog had every intention of keeping me awake all night unless its demands were met and it was updated like it's sister blogs!

Don't you hate it when your blog acts up???

There Be Clogs Here!

2009-01-15T21:28:00.006-06:00

I have finished knitting and felting my very first pair of clogs! Aren't they cool?

These are from a Fiber Trends pattern purchased at my LYS.

I used Cascade yarns, double-strand and felted in my washing machine for about 20 or 30 minutes. They are still a bit "moist" after a day and a half of drying, so have them on my feet. Not such a great idea, since it is only about 8 degrees in St. Louis tonight!

I fell in love with the colors and think they came out great, especially for my first try at clogs.

Finally Been Knitting Again

2009-01-02T16:46:00.012-06:00

Ok - so I haven't blogged since May - I hear you moaning (or is that cheering?) Anyway, I finally got into the knitting mode just before Christmas with some nice, ancient KnitPicks Hollyberry yarn. Decided to make just a nice pair of socks and fell back on my favorite Blueberry Waffle pattern. No biggie. So, managed to finish these . . . . oh . . . . . about December 27th. Yeah - poor timing!

But for Christmas - got a "real" sock blocker. The ones pictured above I fashioned myself out of stuff called "foam core" - which is basically styrofoam coated with thick paper on both sides. Actually, I personally think they work quite well - especially when you consider how long I've been out of work! Anyway, today I got the required size "0" needles and made a sock . . . . Isn't it just the cutest thing ever???

And this is REALLY the coolest thing - when you put the two socks - one normal and one tiny - you get a feel for how incredibly tiny that thing is!! I'm just amazed by it!

Now I want to make an entire wardrobe of tiny keychain socks! Isn't like I don't have enough leftover skein ends to make all sorts of spiffy tiny socks! I can hardly wait. Wish there was a knitting fairy who would come and knit them while I sleep ;)

Hope you had great holidays and that the New Year brings all your knitting wishes true!

And Now for Something Completely Different . . . . .

2008-05-16T22:03:00.004-05:00

The Sock of Kindness is really turning out very pretty! I cast on for this last night in Tofootsie yarn that niece Gwyndy gave me for my birthday over a year ago! It is turning out quite lovely and I can't wait to see how it looks finished!

Of course, I'm not a fan of the short-row heels everybody's raving about, so I'll mostly likely do my own thing once it gets to that point. Stay tuned!

New Pair of Socks - FO

2008-05-14T22:07:00.004-05:00

I've officially finished another pair of socks! These came out so pretty. Made on size one needles, it was hard getting used to the tiny stitches! I'm glad these are done and I can move on to something new and different.

Actually, that's the most difficult part - finding just the right pattern for whatever yarn I have in my stash! But I'll be working on that tomorrow. Today, we bask in the glory and satisfaction of a new pair completed - no second sock syndrome!

Ah - Almost Spring . . .

2008-03-28T17:13:00.004-05:00

And now, for my niece, who seems to have a serious case of the knitting "blahs," I present the following:

"What's this?" I hear her scream! Sock blockers??? Well - actually - NO. These are blockers of my own design. I made them from a sheet of foam core I had on hand . . . provided I had known where to look for it. Turns out it was in the basement - buried. So, for a month I've been cleaning and re-arranging the basement and have managed to toss (so far) three dumpsters of trash. Got rid of loads of really old, gross stuff, gave fluorescent light fixtures to my brother, and found countless things I've missed, including important papers (discovered hidden in my old brief case from yesteryear).

Anyway . . . here are the completed leaf lace socks, the first of the twisted rib socks, and - what the heck - took Lady Eleanor outside for a stroll in the sun.

Please note - these are the very first daffodills in the yard to bloom. Also, right at the toe of the twisted ribs below and kind of surrounding it are some snowbells.

The lady is stuck on the fence . . . as many women are. Yuc-Yuc. So, that's it for my knitting. As you can tell, I've been knitting throughout the winter, just not blogging about it. Sorry.

Semi-Retired

2008-02-26T22:30:00.008-06:00

Even in my "semi-retirement" I have tried to keep busy. Not always easy, since "napping" seems to have become some sort of "activity." Anyway, in between naps, meals, sleeping, computer gaming, and working on stained glass (see blog link to left), I have done some knitting!

This is the Falling Leaves pattern done in Fiber Trends "Peridot." I'm really loving it! Even after completing the first sock, the second one seems to be going quite quickly!
So, here you have the lovely, completed first sock:

A nice close up of the pattern:

And the intimidating "star toe." I say intimidating, since I've only ever done one kind of toe on the socks I've knit, so even thought about bypassing this in favor of the tried and true variety. But once I read through the directions, this was even easier than the normal toe! And looks really neat, to boot!

Finished Objects, Finally!

2008-02-08T16:45:00.000-06:00

It has been a very busy couple of months! My dad fell down a week after Thanksgiving and broke his pelvis in two places. So, we've been busy with the hospital and rehab up until a couple weeks ago. Since I've been home again, though, there has been some serious knitting happening here.

FINALLY!! A pair of complete Monkey Socks! Yippee! I PROMISE - this is the last time you're gonna have to see this yarn on my blog! Although I love it, seems it took about four false starts and trips to the frog pond before settling on the monkey socks.

And:

Ta - Daaaaaaaaaaa!!!

Lady Eleanor is done being knitted - now just needs to be blocked and fringed and will be considered "complete." I truly enjoyed knitting this shawl, once my mind got wrapped around it! Is a totally different way of knitting, but each color change was an adventure in artistry. The way the colors come together is just beautiful. And it still looks great draped over the back of my sofa! hehe

Now, not sure what I'll be knitting, although am pretty sure there are about 25 pairs of socks in my future. There is at least that much sock yarn in my stash, so it's time to start knitting on that, am sure!

Since there's nothing on my needles right now, it is doubtful things will stay that way for very long!

Hope You Had Happy Holidays!

2007-12-28T22:52:00.000-06:00

It was a wonderful Christmas! I got some natural sock yarn and Jacquard Dyes!!

Also some "Foggy Bottom" Sock Yarn!

Have been working mainly on the Lady Eleanor Shawl - Here's a picture of the progress! It is turning out really pretty!! Can't get over how the colors all fit together and create a harlequin effect.

Then - my dad gave my sister-in-law and I quilts that were made by his mother's mother - my Great Grandma Dustin. They were originally quilt tops that my mother had quilted by the ladies of the Ferguson Presbyterian Church for "the girls." Convinced my dad that she had meant my SIL and I as "the girls," so this year (with a bit of help from a Christmas elf), he was able to give them as gifts!

When She's Right . . . .

2007-12-05T22:08:00.000-06:00

She's right!!! It basically matches my sofa!

This is the first few tiers of the Lady Eleanor shawl done in the Noro Silk Garden I bought recently. Just thought my niece would be pleased to see some progress!

Stash'nSock

2007-11-09T20:21:00.001-06:00

Everybody keeps coming up with "cutsie" words (like "Socktoberfest"). I thought it'd be cool to make up one of my own! Hence, the name of this entry.

So - The first Monkey sock is done! This is my favorite ball of yarn. On the ball it looks amazing! It is oh-so-soft and completely yummy . . . but stripes and pools like crazy. This is probably about the 4th or 5th pattern I've tried and have given up fighting the Properties of the Yarn. It is what it is! Makes a lovely sock, anyway.

And then - there was the email from my niece. It said "Little Knits has one color of the Silk Garden on sale for $6.60 a skein. It's kind of muted blues that reminded me of your couch. You should go take a look... "

So now YOU can look, too! Here's a pic of the 11 skeins I got, taken on the infamous couch! Planning a Lady Eleanor shawl and can hardly wait to start!

This is a great shot of the end of a skein that shows the color variations.

What do you think?

Goodie Boxes!!!!

2007-10-22T16:46:00.000-05:00

Can anybody tell me what's wrong with this scenario?? Knit one pair, buy enough yarn for three more pair - Repeat?

Ok - my name is Blu and I'm becoming a Yarn-a-holic. But with such pretty colors, can it be such a sin???

The skeins above are the new

Fleece Artist colors - Georgia O'Keefe (love her watercolors!), and Willa Cather - a 20th Century novelist. Then, the other is the neatest stuff!! From UrbanGypZ - colorway is Koi, Vey!

I have included a close-up of this - and you can see the candy cane effect of the different ply that was designed to super-saturate with dye giving a nice twist accent to the yarn. Totally cool!

Manly Socks! Complete!!

2007-10-21T15:03:00.000-05:00

Finally - the Manly Natural Alpaca Socks are complete!!! Yippee!! With only about three yards left over from each skein, I managed to complete these oh-so-soft, yummy chocolate brown socks from 300 yards (2 skeins) of yarn spun from Lily's fur.

Lily:

Finished these just in the nick of time, too! More, brightly colored yarn is on it's way to my mailbox!

Tiny Dilemma

2007-10-01T22:10:00.000-05:00

Yes - it's the Manly Alpaca Sock . . . in all it's half-done glory!! Note to self . . . when making men's socks, typically it will take more than 300 yards of yarn. Aargh! So - I'm half-way through the foot and you can see the tiny ball of yarn that's left . . .

Of course, there is another skein, so this sock will be finished. But the second sock . . . no way! I will check (plead, beg, and otherwise humiliate myself) at the Ferguson Farmer's Market next Saturday morning in an attempt to get just one more skein of Lily's fluff (the alpaca in question), but when I got this, her owner said it was the last until the next shearing.

Maybe she was dishonest . . . but I don't think so :(

How often CAN you shear an alpaca . . . in October . . . just before the Midwest winter sets in???

Sock It To Me September

2007-09-11T21:10:00.001-05:00

Love, love LOVE this yarn! I've been admiring it for at least a year since I bought it. Don't even remember what it's called anymore (bad stash-er) . . . .

Hate, hate, HATE this yarn on this sock. Thought I'd found a winner when, with the third try, discovered a pattern that not only didn't pool, but didn't stripe. Was elated . . . . knitted this much, and left it sit on a table for a couple months. Have finally decided - time to visit the frog pond YET AGAIN. Rip-it! Can't stand it! The more I look at it, the less I like it. Did manage to take a while to learn to hate it, but now that is complete and it will go back to being a beautiful ball of yarn.

And this - this is my beautiful Alpaca yarn from the Ferguson Farmer's Market. It used to belong to an alpaca named Lily. Now, it is well on its way to becomming wonderful, MANLY socks. So soft, so sumptious. YUM.

It's a BRAND NEW SOCK

2007-06-03T00:23:00.000-05:00

Finally finished with SSS - Second Sock Syndrome - and on to a brand new project, and a brand new sock! I love, love, LOVE this "Falling in Love" sock!

See? S0 far, it has three little lace hearts with cables on the left and right. Sock is a bit darker - flash seems to lighten up the color a bit, but overall, going to be a pretty sock.

Not thrilled with the striping, but not sure there's much to be done about it . . . .

AND - this is my first effort with a toe-up sock - which I started with a provisional cast-on . . . so it looks like a regular sock in that regard, but the trick will be the heel. Should be interesting!

To Coin a New Initialism - NOTH - Nothing On the Needles!

2007-05-28T09:57:00.000-05:00

Strange, but true! I have overcome a serious bout of SSS (Second Sock Syndrome) and completed the two pair that have been hanging out there for months! Yippee!

Unfortunately, now that means I have to find something else to knit - and QUICK!

No More Lonely Socks

2007-05-06T22:02:00.000-05:00

As you can see, the SSS (Second Sock Syndrome) is finally over! I have completed sock 2 of the Lombard Street Socks in the Aubergine Baby Silk - and the pair is O-So-Soft!!

Then, in the spirit of sweeping the decks clean, I cast on for the second RPM sock in the Koigu. I think sock 1 of this pair was completed in January.

Now, I must mention, I had every good intention of completing these. In my naivety, it seemed like a good plan at the time to start a second pair of socks, then alternate the second socks for each pair. Thought it might ease boredom, or something . . . Well, no such luck!! Just seemed to make it easier to keep knitting single socks. So, thought it should be nipped in the bud.

At least there's progress here. A lot of knitting was put on the back burner while my dad has been in the hospital and recuperating at home. Has been a very busy and tense time. But looks like I'm well on my way to getting the job done, at last!

Finally - a FO and Knitting Content Again!

2007-04-21T09:07:00.000-05:00

I was a bad knitter - have been stuck in the knitting doldrums for a couple months now, trying unsuccessfully to finish a sock, so I bought three new skeins of Fleece Artist Merino. Got Peridot, Cornflower, and Spring Meadow. VERY pretty . . . I love these yarns with the subtle color changes. Am hoping they will knit up into some beautiful socks - yeah - like I'm gonna wake up some morning, and the knitting elves will have taken this and knit some lovely socks for me. Seems I'm gonna have to get off my cushions and start knitting in earnest - or at least in Merino yarn!

And now for something completely different - a finished object! After what seems like forever of slogging through hip-deep mud, I have managed to finish this lovely sock. Yes, it is another "loner" - a sock with no mate.

However, it has been a difficult road . . . can't even remember when this was started. I had good intentions. Once the RPM was finished, decided to move on to a different sock, come back, finish the second RPM, then the second baby silk.

You can guess the rest . . . I just want to start an entirely new pair of something - anything. Hopefully the self-discipline necessary to go back and pick up the pieces of the second socks will kick in and I'll finish. Otherwise, keep your eyes peeled for brand new socks here!

Happy to Report

2007-04-11T19:37:00.001-05:00

Hopefully soon, I'll be back to knitting. I'll have to! Just bought three more skeins of sock yarn - enough for three more pairs of socks! Still need to finish the baby cashmere and the RPM socks - still only one of each. Second-sock syndrome (SSS?) to the MAX!

Dad is making wonderful progress. After his fall, he was home only three days before the problems started. He developed pneumonia and was in the hospital for two weeks. After that, he went to a rehab facility (lots closer to home!) for 12 days, and then came home. I've been staying at my dad's for two weeks now, and am absolutely amazed at his progress. He's been using a walker all this time, and at first he was a bit wobbly. Lately his balance is improving a lot and he stands up without hanging on to things quite a bit. Seems a bit scary at times, but I'm getting used to it. He's extremely independent.

The rehab center sent out their squad of helpers - a nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist, and an aide who helps with his showers several times a week. It seems if we are not going to all the various doctors, we have the "visitors" here taking all our time. We did manage to get out yesterday, however, get his income taxes mailed, hair cut, bird food replenished, hearing aids fixed, and a quick stop at the pharmacy. Today, we had the visitors, and a couple contractors who installed new handrails on the basement stairs, a new ceiling fan, and grab bars in the shower. So, as you can imagine, our days are filled with lots of things that need doing.Hopefully, he will be off the walker in a few more days and I will begin staying home nights!

Wondering?

2007-04-01T19:43:00.000-05:00

Bet you're wondering what's been going on - what I'm knitting now, and why the heck haven't I blogged in so long?

Well - my dad, who turns 89 the beginning of June, took a tumble down the basement stairs the end of February. Since I live only about 3 miles from his house, I've been very involved in helping get things done. We are all so thankful that his injuries have not been horrible. He broke his left shoulder blade and has a compression fracture of his L1 vertebrae. After he fell, the hospital sent him home. Unfortunately after only 2.5 days home, he kind of sat on the end of his bed, laid back, and then couldn't move. Paramedics came, took him to the hospital, where he stayed for the next two weeks with pneumonia and a bacterial infection. Then he went to rehab where he kind of looked out of place. But he got lots of physical therapy and did absolutely great. In only 12 days, he came home and I've been staying with him helping out while he regains his strength and mobility. Except for swelling in his feet and ankles, he seems to be doing great. Is getting around with a walker and I'm keeping a close eye on his comings and goings.

So, please pardon me for not blogging more often, but for the moment I'm very busy and not knitting much at all. Did manage to get the aubergine alpaca baby silk sock done to the toe decreases, and there it sits . . . . . but sooner or later, I'll be back home with nothing to occupy my time but the knitting. For now, tho, this is much more important!!!

The Baby Blanket - She is Finished!

2007-03-14T21:55:00.000-05:00

After many mind-numbing hours of knitting, knitting, knitting, the baby blanket is done!! Yippee!!

I know - the Feather and Fan pattern was too boring for me - so I had to change it to this new "Hourglass" pattern. I need a new pattern! Anyway, the recipient of this newest creation is due April 17th, so officially it is done EARLY. Who ever heard of such a thing??

Now, we have a family birth due in early June (Father's Day), so I will probably have to start something else fairly quick!

February Knitting

2007-02-11T19:17:00.000-06:00

Honest! I know, it's been too long since my last post, but there REALLY is knitting going on here!! See?

The first is a shot of a baby blank in progress - for a friend who's expecting soon. I was tired of making the feather and fan blankets, so decided to find something new and different. This is the "Hourglass" pattern from Lion Brand, but it is an 8-row repeat and fairly easy to remember. Admittedly, at first, I flubbed a couple times and ended up frogging a few rows, but once you get going, it is pretty simple. Plus, in this weather, it's nice to have something warm sitting on your lap!

Then, there's the SIP - sock in progess - Lombard Street out of the baby silk alpaca yarn. Absolutely beautiful, soft beyond imagination, and all, but for now, the baby blanket is on my "hot list" of things that simply MUST get done. So - the sock sits and waits. Of course, the RPM sock(s) I was working on has no mate, so that will be next . . . somehow I'm getting to where I just want to knit ONE SOCK. Is that so wrong??

Then there's the new yarn!! I must be planning more knitting! Actually, I have to - just to use the stash I've got now!

I got this wonderful hand-dyed yarn from Cabin Cove Mercantile. Dave Daniels there does a beautiful job on the yarn. It is soft, and the colors are very intense. He also included a nice, hand-written thank you card and a small bag of mountain lavender flowers. The sock yarn is 80% Merino Wool and 20% nylon. Beautiful!

And for my birthday (a week ago!) my niece sent me the newest stuff on the market - Tofutsies!! This small skein is enough for a pair of socks - can you believe it? it is 50% Superwash wool, 25% Soysilk, 22.5% cotten, and 2.5% Chitin, which turns out to be fiber made from shrimp and crab shells, and it is naturally antibacterial!

My son and his wife got methis beautiful Regia navy tweed. The picture doesn't do it justice! Also got me a gift certificate to my LYS (local yarn store), and some tiny #2 dpns. Was kind of a knitting birthday (until you consider the bread machine!). Was an awsome birthday!

Also got myself some bluejeans colored Austermann yarn, that is so soft! It has aloe vera and jojoba oil mixed in, so it has to be soft!

New Year - New Sock!

2007-01-04T21:06:00.000-06:00

Here we have the newest completed sock - the RPM made out of the "cursed" Koigu, Tahitian Sunset. This was given to me by neice, Gwen, when she didn't find a pattern that worked for her after 8 or 9 tries. Also took me a while to find one that seemed to look good in this yarn, and when I checked with Gwen, we decided RPM worked ok.

Also, have just begun working on a beautiful Aubergene baby silk yarn - 80% alpaca, and 20% silk. Soft as a baby's behind . . . . I am working the Lombard Street pattern from Mag Knits, and think it is coming out really pretty. Not sure if you can tell from the picture, but there are 4 lace holes running alongside a cable. Looks pretty neat, huh?

Anyone Can Knit!

2006-12-25T23:58:00.000-06:00

Saw this online and thought it was so cute!

Merry Christmas to All!

2006-12-23T16:29:00.000-06:00

Here you have it - My completed Christmas knitting . . .

Ok, I know I cheated - just a bit! Here are the new "Man Socks" I made for one lucky recipient . . . . The first ones I've knit for a guy!

And the "Monet Socks" will be finding a new home, too.

Teddy had become such a fixture sitting on my sofa that I almost forgot to wrap the little guy! Only home my niece will enjoy him . . . .

I hope all your knitting projects are finished and wrapped, and that your cookies are baked, trees decorated, and cards sent . . . . because the holidays are here at last! May all your needles be full, your yarn cast on, your cables straight, your light good, and may all your projects be completed on time!

I wish you all happiness for a wonderful holiday, and a bright new year filled with the love of friends and family, projects that fill your hearts and hands, creativity to work miracles of warmth, and wondeful people to share your journey!

Success!!

2006-11-19T21:24:00.000-06:00

Yes, looks like this is going to work!! Colors are not pooling, not looking like a barber pole. A bit of striping, but that's ok!

So, now we just knit up a couple socks! I feel good about this and am looking forward to seeing what my niece thinks of her yarn . . . will be checking for comments!

Difficult Knitting . . .

2006-11-19T17:52:00.000-06:00

Not sure what the issue is, but I've been busy with other stuff and can't seem to do much knitting right now. Must be the proverbial "Dry Spell" you hear about.

I finished the pair of red socktober
socks and took up the Koigu yarn my niece tried so hard to knit. She tried about five or six patterns, and I have tried four or five myself now and am currently trying the RPM socks from Knitty. So far, so good.

I keep eyeing my stash. I have it in open baskets next to my fireplace. All the yarn looks lovely. I NEED to make a baby blanket or two, I should re-start my gansey sweater after frogging due to finding holes, I've even ordered new yarn to make a Christmas present (that one's gonna be LATE!), so not sure what the problem is. I find myself dozing off on the couch, cleaning, doing dishes and laundry. It's like there's a force that makes me do all these other things, thus avoiding the knitting.

Yesterday, it was errands, grocery shopping, and Christmas shopping. Today (along with dozing for a good hour and a half), it's been doing dishes, cleaning, doing laundry - whew. Perhaps tonite the bug will get me. Maybe it's just that this particular sock yarn, although absolutely beautiful on the ball, knits up totally different from what you'd think it will look like. Doesn't matter what pattern, size needle, or whatever. Just different.

I'll keep plugging away and hope to have something sensational to show for all my efforts and those of my niece!

A Trip to the Frog Pond

2006-11-12T22:06:00.000-06:00

Or should I say Frog LAKE??? Discovered holes in my Gansey sweater and ended up having to frog the entire thing. So sad . . . . so much work! Strange holes - three of them you could put your finger through. Not sure where they came from, but know I'm not pleased.

Then on to the Krista Tee. Was so excited - finished the front and it was georgeous. So I did up the sides to try it on, and the extra length was taken up in the "around" area, and still showed off a bare midriff - not especially beautiful in a "big, beautiful woman." So, tonite, that became a couple huge balls of yarn, too.

Sigh.

Have started a new pair of socks . . . and am thinking of adding them to the lake. . . . .

Silver and Gold Friends

2006-10-21T08:41:00.000-05:00

Bad blogger! A bit overdue in reporting the knitting group results from last Wednesday night.

Eight ladies came for the inaugural evening North St. Louis County knit-in. We had two from the St. Louis Knitting Guild (three, if you count me), my grade school friend, Kathy, my daughter-in-law, Angela, and three other, new ladies. One, Peggy, turned out to be the older sister of a gal Kathy and I went to high school with! It is a small world!

Angela was the only one who had never knit, but she did that evening - at least for a while. We had all kinds of projects and some crochet questions that we hope to work on next week. Even one of the workers at the Corner Coffee House got in the act. We ended up closing the place at 10 p.m., and she came over to inquire if we could help her. She had just begun knitting two days earlier and was mysteriously picking up stitches in a scarf she's making. When we left, she was saying "I can't wait for next week!"

I didn't realize that Myer House, the LYS, has a knit-in Wednesday evenings. They don't advertise it, since the space is limited, so I never knew. But we had a nice spot, on the sofa right in front of the fireplace, so we're good for a while.

All-in-all, it was a very pleasant evening. If you are interested, please visit a couple of my earlier posts for info, and feel free to join us on Wednesday evenings! You know the song - "Make New Friends, but Keep the Old" - well, that's what's going on here!

I'm SO Jazzed!!!

2006-10-12T12:31:00.000-05:00

I've taken a gigantic leap into the new blogging experience, released my death grip on HTML, and joined the best and brightest in the new Blogger Beta!

It's taken a bit of getting used to, but I like the functionality, the drag-and-drop technology - heck! All that new stuff.

Sorry this isn't too much of a post, but I am back working temp again (thru November, at least), getting ready for the garage sale of the century (see my boring blog), trying to do more at home besides sleep, getting my car overhauled, trying to keep the kitchen stocked with quickie food, and replacing mattresses and lamps. Hopefully, I will be blogging, complete with updated pictures of the Krista Tee progress and the new knitting group, soon!

The Last Knit on "YouTube.com"

2006-09-26T23:06:00.000-05:00

If you haven't heard about this video, and especially if you haven't watched it, you should! This is a hoot!

Thanks to Gwen for pointing it out to me. Is remarkably well done, clever, great animation, from annekeAnna in Jerusalem, IL - who notes this is for "When knitting becomes an obsession."

What a riot - although you have to wonder what strange miracle saved her clothes . . . .

North County Knitting Group Update

2006-09-23T21:10:00.000-05:00

Here's the flyer I worked up for the St. Louis North County Knitting Group. If you click on the picture, you will get a larger image you can actually read. I am trying to organize a group to KIP (Knit In Public) on Wednesday evenings at the Corner Coffee House in Ferguson. They are open until 10 p.m., so I am shooting for 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, beginning October 18th.

If you live in North St. Louis County, please pass the word. This is open to the public and both experienced knitters and people wanting to learn to knit are welcome.

Pictures will be posted here of the innagural evening's participants! I am really excited about the prospect of meeting new people and being able to visit with some old friends!

If you are interested, please contact me through my blog profile or leave a way for me to contact you in a message on here! Thanks - and am looking forward to seeing everybody who's interested on October 18th!

Krista Tee and Knitting Update

2006-09-20T22:09:00.000-05:00

Here it is!!! So far, so good . . . . I love, love, love this
sweater, however, it can get rather boring. Seems socks are more fun that long, drawn out sweaters!

I must admit the armholes were a blast, but there's still 2" left till I reach the back of the neck. At least there's fewer stitches. The one redeeming feature - the color. This is MY color! Sort of an antique Williamsburg blue, so that will make it all worthwhile. And, from looking at the pattern, it seems the front will be MUCH more fun! Anyway, I'm going to finish this sometime soon.

The Gansey has been sitting there patiently waiting for attention and occasionally it is admired and fondled. The initials are complete and it will help pass the time this winter, for sure!

In other news, I am considering starting a St. Louis North County Knitter's Group. Hopefully it will meet someplace close to where *I* live, like the Ferguson Corner Coffee House. Drove by there tonite and noticed they didn't have a huge number of cars parked around, so perhaps they'll welcome a bunch of gossipy women knitting and drinking hot, coffee-flavored milkshakes! If you or someone you know would like to come knit, probably on a Wednesday evening, from 7 to 9 p.m., please email me or leave a comment here. Most likely, this won't happen until mid-October, since my daughter-in-law is going in for surgery next week and would like to be included and learn to knit. Might be fun! Hopefully, it will be a nice, new outlet in North County.

Some More Updates

2006-08-28T12:38:00.000-05:00

Finally! A picture of the completed and BLOCKED Pacific Northwest Shawl, also known as my Upper Penninsula Shawl.

You can finally see some of the details - little fish swimming at the border, the water waves, sand dollars, Trees, and seagulls. Could be either Pacific or UP - take your pick! I like the color, however, since I dyed this yarn myself.

Also, I couldn't help myself! Known by many as the "one-project knitter" I now have three going. Saturday, I balled up some of the beautiful antique blue cotton/rayon yarn my niece, Wendy, brought home from Stitches Midwest a couple weeks ago, and began the Krista Tee.

Granted, not too much finished - took a while to "get in the groove." But what is finished looks totally awesome!

Socks of August - Update

2006-08-25T23:20:00.000-05:00

Well - here is sock #1 done in the tried and true "Blueberry Waffle" pattern, and the heel detail of the eye of the patridge heel - looks like mult-colored dots with texture! How neat is that???

Gansey Update - 8/19/06

2006-08-19T21:28:00.000-05:00

Now for a quick update on the "progress" of the Gansey from Hell:

As you can see - the first buttonhole - with one of the beautiful silver Celtic Knot buttons from Stitches poking through.

And here, we have the beginnings of my initials which are on the far left front side - about 2" from the side "seam."

I've been doing some reading about the Ganseys origin. These are fishing sweaters, knit (as this one is) with 5-ply wool. These are tiny plys, since the yarn is as thin, if not thinner, than sock yarn. They are knit on small needles - in this case US size 1s so the finished fabric is tight woven. This makes them water and wind proof, pretty much. Of course, if you're knocked overboard by a huge-ass wave, or pulled into the drink by an enormous fish, it won't keep you dry! That's where the initials come in. When your body washes up on shore, the initials give some clue as to who you were!

I get a big chuckle out of all of this, and realize that this is a very traditional garmet, one that will no doubt take me until the end of time to complete, and, if given the chance, it will be worn with great pride.

I'll post more pictures as this thing progresses, and share more tidbits of the tradition as I can.

Stitches Stash Enhancement!

2006-08-19T21:04:00.000-05:00

I may have to go to Stitches Midwest vicariously with my niece, but I got some REAL stash enhancement!

She brought me the Lorna's Laces Somerset I've wanted (80% wool, 20% nylon and oh-so soft), some Fly Super Sport (superwash Merino wool), Berroco's Touche (50% Cotton, 50% rayon also super soft) for my Krista Tee, a cool cables pattern, buttons for my Gansey sweater (like she expects I'll finish it in this lifetime!), a pattern for a shawl from the new Victorian Lace Today book, and my Folk Socks book (actually from the Interweave Hurt Book Sale a couple weeks ago).

You gotta love the way she shops! She even took an empty suitcase with her to Chicago so she could bring her bounty home! I am so thrilled! She also gave me her Tahitian Sunset Koigu that she just couldn't seem to knit. Some of you may read her blog, Shoes and Yarn, and she tried a bunch of different patterns with this yarn, ripped everything out, and gave up. A million thanks to Wendy for all these goodies!

We had such fun - I showed her progress on my sock and sweater, saw her feather and fan shawl, and we both got to see her mom's progress on a Christmas alphabet she's been cross stitching since she broke her thigh bone in early June. It is amazing just how much you can get done when you're forcefully glued to the sofa! My poor brother left the dining table and watched TV while we three sat there another couple hours going on about wool, knitting, and cross stitch.

Blog Food Expo!

2006-08-11T23:07:00.000-05:00

Ok - Here's my entry in the food expo!

Christmas Tree Coffee Cake Directions
Grandma Field / Aunt Susie

Make basic Sweet Roll Dough – one batch makes one large coffee cake – so make a couple batches.

Basically, follow these pictures:

Roll the dough to about 1/3” thickness in a rough triangle shape. Brush liberally with melted butter. Top with brown sugar, chopped pecans and cinnamon.

If you’re smart, you transfer to dough to the cookie sheet prior to forming the coffee cake. If you’re me – well – you end up having to transfer along the way. Note, I use a large jelly roll pan with a lip – in case the filling runs out, it won’t end up on the floor of your oven.

Roll the edges in with a nice arc, and make slanted cuts at the wide end for the “trunk” and roll it inward. With a sharp knife, make cuts along the side rolls.

Twist individual rolls “up.” Kind of point the outward sides of each roll and press onto the cookie sheet.

At this point, you can freeze or refrigerate until you’re at Christmas Eve.

This can raise overnight in the fridge if it has been refrigerated. If it has been frozen, I take it out, let it thaw, then pop it in the fridge before going to bed.

Bake at 350° 12 to 15 minutes.

Frost while hot with powdered sugar/water/vanilla glaze. Just drizzle it on – nobody’s awake enough to notice fine art.

Serve annually Christmas morning to a large family that has nothing else to eat for breakfast . . . Sit back and enjoy praise.

Pass on the tradition to the next generation as soon as humanly possible!

The Socks of August

2006-08-09T21:43:00.000-05:00

And it came to pass that . . . 410 stitches will not fit on my tiny #1 circulars! Boo Hoo! At least all three welts are completed, and we await the arrival of the new needle. So, I got me over to eBay and ordered another circular to add to the collection.

And that left me with nothing OTN. Bummer! So, tonite, I cast on for a new pair of socks - in bold, bright, beautiful colors. See??

I bought this yarn a little while ago, and have been itching to try it. I did try the toe-up socks last week with it, but wasn't that enthused about it. Now, this, is beautiful. Am going to use the tried and true "Blueberry Waffle" sock pattern. Did that one last year and have a beautiful pair of socks to show for the effort. I love this yarn!

Well - Welts!

2006-08-08T21:59:00.000-05:00

No, not Lawrence Welts (Ugh, bad joke).

Yes, not only do I now know what welts are, I've even finished knitting a couple and have one more to go before my #1 dpns become entirely too small. Here's what we have so far:

The largest one is the back of the sweater, top one is the left-hand side, and bottom still being worked is the right side. Once I finish this one, I will knit across all three, adding stitches until there are a miraculous 410 stitches total. Apparently, this is what is meant by "split garter welts."

Then the real fun begins with the patterned stitches. Thank goodness the body of the sweater is knitted flat!

It will include seed stitch initials, definition ridges, starfish and diamond motifs, two-stitch seed seam stitches, gussets, unshaped neckline, shoulder straps, and a ribbed neckband. Whew! Now - considering it's taken me 3 days to knit what I have so far, any bets on how long it will be before this is finished? I'm guessing if I get 10 rows finished a day . . . . . . . it will be completed sometime just near retirement! (But it will still be just as pretty!)

A Day of Two "Firsts"

2006-08-04T22:13:00.000-05:00

Progress on the Koigu socks has come to a total standstill - not enough yarn. Eventually may rip it out and try something else.

Today was boring, so it became a day of firsts.

My very first swatch - is the Guernsey yarn for the Grace's Cardigan. Actually came out right on the money! Notice the "Channel Island Cast On" that makes the nice little picots on the edge. Decided to throw those into this just to see if I could do it.

Following that success, I then tried my first "toe up" sock - not too bad for a novice!

Strange Phenomenon

2006-08-01T21:26:00.000-05:00

So, I sat here today admiring the first completed Koigu sock. I must admit, it came out rather nice. See?

And I sit there, thinking how nice the multi-colored yarn is - how the colors go so good together, how much I like the little flecks of dark blue and green and a bit of red and rose. It is just a lovely combination of colors - and they are very pleasant to look at for long periods of time . . . .

I should know - they MATCH the sofa and love seat I've been admiring for the last 11 years! How strange!

Air Conditioning is Great!

2006-07-31T21:31:00.000-05:00

It has been so ghastly hot in St. Louis (103 degrees today) that I've just stayed in. No grocery store, no yarn shop, haven't even stuck my nose outside! It is 9:30 p.m., and still 87 out there. Nope - have stash, will knit.

So, I've been working on the first Koigu sock on and off all day - and am almost finished! I think this is beautiful yarn and works up great! I have to thank Wendy for getting it for me at the Sheep and Wool Festival and Jeff and Alicia for helping her dig through the mill ends to find these!

Just a few more toe rows and it will be finished. All I can do is hope and pray there's enough yarn left to make another one just like this one! Keep your fingers crossed!

Good Grief!!

2006-07-30T22:15:00.000-05:00

Look what I found in my aunt's knitting stuff:

Even for 1967, this is the most awful thing I've seen in years and years! The picture of the second page is included, so you can see the directions for shaping the "cap" with some kind of material over a basketball, of all things!!!

I managed to turn the heel on my first pair of koigu socks today, and am thrilled with the outcome. Pictures of those to come soon!

Let the Knitting Begin!!!

2006-07-28T17:10:00.000-05:00

If you've come from visiting my original blog (see link at right) you know that today was my last day working a temp job held for the last nine and a half months and that I've come to love a great deal.

Ok - so now I'll be home, unemployed, for a while. If you're on MSN Messenger and have me added as BlueLady486, you will see my personal message "Will Work for Money."

So - I bought this 4,500 yards of 5-ply Guernsey wool from Frangipani in Cornwall, England (I've truly lost my mind). It is a beautiful teal color named "Deep Ocean" and I'm planning to start knitting the Grace's Cardigan (link below) during this period of unemployment. I am also working on a pair of socks now, and may start another pair.

This from the lady who tries mainly to knit one thing at a time and complete that project before I begin another. I know - I know - My niece is a bad influence on me! So, I will begin the sweater once I get the required needles and figure out exactly what a "welt" is!

This is the beginning of the Koigu socks. Bought at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival by my niece last May, is kind of mill ends and neither color is enough for a pair, so I will knit this band at the tops, the heels and toes out of this nice periwinkle. Think they will be stunning!

2006-07-24T22:31:00.000-05:00

Ok - St. Louis has officially been declared a disaster area - and my house is part of it. Have been without power for 63.5 hours, and still counting (posting thanks to the generous use of my sister-in-law's computer).

Anyway, wanted to show you what my life's been like since the beginning of the storm last Wednesday night:

And here's a lovely picture of my yard and all the limbs and branches (and wires) down:

And here's one - a GREAT SHOT, I think - of me knitting while waiting for the power to come back on. See? I've finished the striped sock and started a new Koigu one!

Seriously, I will post some pictures of that AND my new yarn that's just arrived from Cornwall, England for a Gansey sweater I plan to try soon. Hopefully, we'll all survive and have power back soon!

Better - the Second Time Around!

2006-07-09T21:41:00.000-05:00

Yes, fellow stick wielders! I have managed to finish the Pomatomus Socks at last! I must admit that the second one went much quicker than the first - due in no SMALL way to the fact that I didn't have to rip out even one row! I'm so jazzed about this!

Please also note that I didn't embarrass myself further by posting these socks on my feet - thereby showing off my "pasty white legs," as my niece told me after the last pic.

So, onto sock #2 of what I'm lovingly calling my "clown socks." Regia's Nations Fun colors. What a trip! Sad, tho, that the ONLY red shows up on the heels! Perhaps another pair . . . .

Also, I have found three beautiful, ample-sized sweaters that I can't wait to try. They are the Elegant Shirt Yolk, the Two-Sided Square, and one called Grace's Cardigan (no, unfortunately, I'm not going to make this for my sister-in-law, Grace just because it's her name!) from Blackberry Ridge. All beautiful, all patterns ordered, and me sitting here waiting . . . .

Hopefully that means I'll be posting some pictures of half-finished sweaters soon! hehehe

There Has Been SOME Knitting Going On . . .

2006-06-19T22:35:00.000-05:00

Am pleased to say that it only took about a MONTH of knitting and frogging to complete ONE Pomatomus Sock!!! So, like a trooper - I cast on the second sock, did exactly two rows, then returned to my rainbow socks below :)

Aren't these turning out cool???? I'm in love.

My Aunt's Picture

2006-06-19T22:28:00.000-05:00

This is a picture I cross stitched for my aunt (see my original blog for some of her pictures and the post of her passing). She loved giraffes. For Christmas one year, I made her a "Zoo Parent" of a giraffe at the St. Louis Zoo - she was thrilled.

When Bad Things Happen to Good Socks . . . .

2006-06-03T22:23:00.000-05:00

Ok - I've been pleasantly knitting along on some lovely socks. Been looking forward to knitting this yarn up. Finally was able to get Pomatomus pattern to work and look neat . . . . see?

Really neat - takes the stripey yarn, adds interest. Basically, a neat thing!

So . . . I decide it is time to order some more yarn - stuff I've been coveting for a couple months. Is Regia's Nations Fun colors, and another one. They arrived in Friday's mail . . . . . .

The poor Pomatomus has been set aside (believe me, I can't figure out what to do with the pattern over the top of the foot anyway . . . .)

Now, there are socks I can knit and not have to think while I'm doing it. Yippee!!!

I love this stuff!! Fun colors, crayon box colors really, in nice, VISIBLE stripes. One blogger actually said "don't look directly at the socks!" hehehehe Those are the kind of socks I'll really wear!

So, in all this, I have achieved a big revelation about stash yarn. Please accept my definition below:

STASH - n., relates to yarn that was either so beautiful, soft, pretty, different, or cheap that required purchase. A pattern or item was in mind when the purchase was made. We took the yarn and danced all the way home with it and sang songs full of glee about our purchase - like hunters bagging Big Game. Then, a day or two later, we do the same thing with other yarn - more beautiful, soft, pretty, different, or cheaper than what we just got. New patterns have been discovered, or items you saw on a friend that just HAVE to be knit. Repeat this process 10 or 20 times, and you achieve "STASH." Only the newest stuff is your favorite - and the stuff that is more than 24 hours old is no longer as wonderful as it was when you got it.

At least, that's MY take on it . . . .

It's a . . . . BEAR!!

2006-05-13T21:47:00.000-05:00

This is the latest addition to the family . . . a teddy bear and the answer to the "what is it" below!! He's made from the free yarn so many knitters got recently . . . with a bit extra purchased from the store. Took slightly more than 3 skeins, but he's still adorable!

Isn't this the wildest color you've ever seen?

Remember my jaywalkers? This is the same yarn! Then I must have tried another 5 different patterns before admitting defeat and just going with this, which is a slip stitch cable. Am pleased to say I added probably another 1.5" after taking this pic, and fully intend to complete the first stock tomorrow!

Omigod! What IS it????

2006-05-07T17:47:00.000-05:00

I know, it looks like something hairy died on my carpet. I've been knitting on this a week or so, and am thrilled. Am almost done! Take your best guess . . . . and I'll post a picture of the finished article once it's completed!

No - it isn't a toupee . . . . although it might make a really nice hat for someone needing hair . . . .

hehehehehe

Another 2006 FO

2006-04-16T21:59:00.000-05:00

As first seen in the Flash Your Stash post, Adriene's baby blanket is now finished! I'm so happy!
I think I'll knit a sock!

That's it on the back of my sofa - the big, white thing . . . . .

And here's a closeup - basically a feather/fan stitch, but looks impressive as a gift.

FLASH YOUR STASH!!!

2006-04-01T08:33:00.000-06:00

Well - here's my first attempt at flashing my stash, with an OTN thrown in for good measure!!

Jaywalker Blahs

2006-03-25T00:07:00.000-06:00

Ok - you saw the picture of the jaywalker sock on the tall white plastic glass - when I tried it on, it went nearly to my instep. So, I frogged it and started over. Instead of the 1s, I used 2s. Looked beautiful! Got about 5" long, and tried it, and it barely fit over my heel. Not sure whose feet the pattern is written for, but obviously not mine. Never thought my feet were particularly strangely sized, but there's no way this thing is sizeable for my foot. On the 2s, the cuff is too loose and the leg too tight. I can only imagine what would happen once I start doing the body of the thing. A regular sock is 68 stitches and I make those on 2s and they fit everybody great. This pattern calls for 84 stitches and the leg is still too tight. So, if I upsized it by using 3s next, the foot and cuff would droop and the leg would just barely fit.

I officially give up . . .

Just Sockin' Around

2006-03-21T17:38:00.000-06:00

After starting the Pomatomus socks in Jawoll Superwash - in a beautiful (although the colors in the picture are anything BUT accurate!) deep maroon, brown, and dark gray - almost black, I've decided I'm not amused with this sock. The pattern is too stretchy, the yarn too stripey. I don't know. Probably going to frog the whole thing (when it isn't still quite so new!) and do it in some other color yarn.

Wendy's been dying the see the Jawalker socks I've started in KnitPicks Hawaii. Although it's slow going (not used to using 1s), ultimately, I believe it will be beautiful!

You also gotta love the "leg models." Fly with me in your imagination!! Yes, the cheesy QuikTrip and white plastic drinking glasses are standing in for - a lovely leg. As for the Jaywalker image, would have to be Olive Oyl or stick woman . . .
But thought it would be cool to be able to see a design. Unfortunately, computer's still off it's feed so am unable to lighten up that crappy image of the Pomatomus sock. Sorry!

Totally Ruined!

2006-03-09T22:08:00.000-06:00

Now I know I'm totally ruined! I finished the shawl and decided to make socks. Not just any socks, but the Pomatomus socks currently shown on Knitty. And - to top it off - I would use the beautiful Koigu yarn I got from niece Gwen for Christmas. It has been a fixture in my brain since Christmas when I got the yarn and saw the pattern. It is an intrigueing one - looks like fish scales when finished, and should work beautifully in the Koigu.

So, tonite, I cast on some plain yarn on larger needles to work through the pattern and see if I can actually read a chart. Once I got going, it wasn't tough at all, so I frogged all that, tossed it aside, grabbed my #2 dpn's and set to work . . . . . and couldn't bring myself to start the Koigu! Waaaaaaaaaaaah!

So, I am now knitting them with some yarn I've had about a year in a dark red/black/brown color and it's looking pretty nice. Perhaps once I finish a pair of these, the Koigu will bite the dust . . . . will just have to see.

I've always chuckled at my niece when she buys a really nice yarn, then can't bear to actually knit it into anything. She says "nothing is wonderful enough for it." I think I'm beginning to understand.

FLASH YOUR STASH!!!

2006-03-09T17:23:00.000-06:00

Coming 1 Apr 06!! Something new and different (at least for me) to try!

FINALLY! A Finished Michigan Upper Penninsula Shawl

2006-03-08T22:17:00.000-06:00

a.k.a. - the Pacific NW Shawl. Still needs to be blocked, but couldn't resist crowing just a TINY bit! It took a month, and allowed absolutely NO mistakes, but I think it was worth it!

Yippee! Another Pattern to Drive Me Mad!!!

2006-03-03T18:21:00.000-06:00

The "Tina Shawl" - I have to thank my niece, Wendy, for the pattern for this awesome shawl. It is a birthday gift, and I cringe just looking at it!!

I know secretly, she's trying to drive me insane, although I'm not sure why . . .

I admired this pattern about a year and a half ago, before I started knitting so much lace, and she remembered and is now terrorizing me with it. Anyway, I have the pattern, and once I finish the Pacific Northwest (aka the Upper Penninsula) shawl, I may have a go at it!

Keep your fingers crossed and a good thought for me that I don't end up with something that looks entirely different from the pictures on here!

More Shawl Progress

2006-02-23T22:32:00.000-06:00

Guess it's been a while since I posted a Michigan Upper Penninsula lace shawl update! About 18 days, and as you can see, there's been LOTS of progress! Needless to say, I'm thrilled! The edging is about a quarter finished, then comes the fun - washing and blocking!! Yippee!

Here's a close-up shot where you can get an idea of the edging, bubble lace, fish, more bubbles, water ripples, and flowers. The shot on the right is the entire thing and probably a bit closer to the colors. Sorry for the picture quality. My computer's dead so I don't have a way to crop or fix the color, but thought you'd like an update!

Will post more shots once it's completely finished, then blocked!

Update - I Have Strayed . . .

2006-02-08T17:21:00.000-06:00

Somehow, the curtains I made for my office/guest room didn't seem to do it for me, so I made a cute set of valence ruffles and hung them today. Had also had to buy another set of hardware to hang the other rod, so now the set of curtains is complete!

Shawl Progress

2006-02-05T23:00:00.000-06:00

Am still chugging along on the Upper Penninsula (aka Pacific NW) shawl. I have completed the seagulls, the pine trees, and those pesky little "sand dollars" that only live in salt water. Actually, now that they're finished, I'm certain they look precisely like a lovely little Upper Penninsula flower! Yes, that's it - they're flowers! Whew! Anyway, began the water pattern tonite and will most likely be working on that for a while.

The darned thing is getting a bit bulky to try and take a picture, but may try taking some of individual patterns sometime soon to post on here. So far, haven't had to frog any more for a while. Must be getting better and catching mistakes sooner! hehehe

Ta-Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

2006-01-27T20:36:00.000-06:00

So, here is a glimpse of the new curtain(s). Yes, there's another one idential to this on the other side of that window. Actually, this picture came out pretty dark - the wall is a nice yellow, and the curtains look terriffic in here!

Also of note: the Pacific NW shawl is finally gaining ground! I've worked through my yarn and stitch count issues and the seagull pattern portion is complete and the pine trees are growing. Actually, being a gal who spent enormous amounts of time in Michigan, in my mind this is really the Upper Penninsula Shawl - the "starfish" pattern will have to become the "life preserver" section or something . . . .

I Have Strayed . . . . . . .

2006-01-23T23:03:00.000-06:00

Yes, even though I am still plugging along on my shawl, there's really no point in taking a picture of the progress I made this week. Unfortunately, it's been mainly knit a row, rip out three or four, knit another row, rip a few more. I don't know what's going on with it. Guess I'm not making the transition between socks and shawl too easy! At any rate, hopefully you get the picture (at least in your mind) that there is presently LESS shawl than there was a week ago when I snapped the picture. Sigh. Hopefully more later.

But, there is other needle progress to note. Last weekend I found some great GREAT plaid fabric ON SALE to make curtains for my office/guest room. Now, you have to understand, I bough this house three and a half years ago . . . and have been searching all this time for the perfect plaid. I had a picture in my mind - and finally found it. With one yard at remnant price and the whole thing 50% off!!! the total came to $8.41!!! HEE HEE and they say I can't shop!!!

So, over the weekend, I dragged out my quilting mat, circular cutter and straight edge and chopped out four panels. Tonite - further progress - I returned the mat, cutter, and straightedge to their spots, grabbed thread and bobbins, hauled the sewing machine out of the bathroom closet, and actually put the side seams in the panels. Tomorrow nite - the tops!

I'll take a picture once they are finished and hung.

Happy Birthday, Gwyndy!

2006-01-19T21:14:00.000-06:00

Ok - just for you - you wanted a pic of the shawl, so here's the first one!

Lace-Weight Yarn - Can be a Nightmare!

2006-01-16T22:10:00.000-06:00

Ok - started on my Pacific NW Shawl last night after finishing my hand-dyed socks (yes, a set of two!). Since I've never knit one like this before, was quite a trial, but managed to get going after a few false starts, and was getting thrilled with the results. Got past the initial wobbly center by ripping and restarting, and so on, up to the first pattern - the seagulls. Ok. Going good now . . . . and then . . . . no yarn. Mind you, this was a ball of 880 yards that we dyed last August - beautiful light and lighter blue. And suddenly! Looked like it had just been cut! Ok. So, I ripped back to the beginning of the row, tied back on and started knitting. A couple more rows later, the same thing. Picked up the ball, looked closely, and saw it was like it had been stabbed with a knife! I ripped off yards and yards, about eight more breaks worth, and finally figured I'd found the last of it. Happily knitted some more - more seagulls - and another break. Along the way, I'd also noticed several spots where the yarn was barely holding together. Sheesh! It is now about three inches long from the beginning, and has about four knots! I picked up the ball and couldn't see any more breaks, but decided it was time to get tough. Began hand-winding a ball of the stuff and found two more breaks in it, although quite a ways down. So, have given up for the evening and am trying to decide whether to start over with the other identically dyed ball, or press on with what I have and hope that the knots won't be too obvious.

Guess that decision will be made tomorrow nite . . . .

2006's First Finished Objects!

2006-01-08T20:13:00.000-06:00

It's only one week into the New Year, and I have progress to report already! Finished the first sock and actually started the second one of my hand-dyed sock yarn socks. Did this in Viv's Lacy sock pattern, and think the first came out looking fantastic.

Knitted up the Foxy yarn I bought just before New Year's weekend, and made this really cute scarf. The picture doesn't do it justice - my camera's not quite good enough to get the bright red color of the yarn. You'll have to believe me, it is drop-dead gorgeous!

Also bought the needles required for the Pacific Northwest shawl, so should be starting on that sometime soon. Know it will take some heavy-duty concentration, though . . . so may be a bit. Might just have to finish that other sock first! hehehehe Hope your New Year knitting is very enjoyable!

Aprés Christmas 2005 . . . . .

2005-12-30T15:39:00.000-06:00

Christmas was wonderful!!! My aunt loved her hand knit socks to keep her footsies warm! My dad loves his soft wool/flax scarf . . . See?? He's smiling!! Holding it up and admiring it! It was so tough not being able to post it on here until AFTER the holidays! He even asked if I was putting it out there beforehand . . . HA!

And it was certainly a knitter's Christmas! My niece got me some Koigu at Stitches last summer, and managed to not say a word until after I'd opened the gift!

And now, an update - the sassy striped socks are finished, my needles (yes, ALL of them!) were empty, so I started on last summer's dyed sock yarn. Below is a shot of some new lacy socks in progress:

The pattern will continue on the top of the foot. I remember when I first dyed the yarn and how it positively screamed "GREEN!" But now that it's being knitted, more of the beautiful shades of blue are more obvious. Can hardly wait to see these finished. Just hope they don't turn my feet the same color my hands were when we dyed the wool!!

So - today, 30 Dec 05, was a quiet one at the office. I did what I could and left around 2:15 to head homeward . . . . but somehow the Weaving Department at Meyers House beckoned and I had to swing by there. There's still those two balls of lace weight yarn we dyed last summer, and I'm "dying" to try a lace shawl in that! So I got the Fiber Trends Pacific Northwest shawl pattern below. Then, out of the blue (or, red?). . . . a wonderful "Foxy" brilliant red yarn called to me. It has fringes in red and other strange tags of stuff on it and when knit looks like a bright feather boa. HAD to have that!!! So, my Christmas cash was spread a bit today (see my stained glass blog for more "spreading of the Christmas cash!").

Hope your Christmas was everything you hoped for and more, that your handmade gifts were opened with glee and the lucky recipients know the time and love that went into each article!

Naughty or Nice Knitter??

2005-12-23T15:49:00.000-06:00

It may be a tiny bit contrived, but I received the following notice:

I am sure it has something to do with the fact that every knitting needle in my possession is now entirely empty! Yes, I managed to complete EVERYTHING that was started, and get to begin again after Christmas! I finished the gift scarf, the second of the sassy stripes socks, my own mohair scarf, nine of the twinkley, tiny eyelash scarves, and a bunch of other stuff. I know Niece Wendy has a nice, clear, concise list on her blog of completed projects. I am not so organized as all that. Perhaps next year . . . .

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy Knitty New Year!

~Blu

Yes, There IS Knitting Going on Here!

2005-12-15T17:17:00.000-06:00

I finished and blocked my gift scarf (made the house smell like wet dog somehow - or perhaps wet sheep?) and finished the blue lacy pain in the a*@! scarf I've been agonizing over for the last few weeks. It came out beautiful!! Now I'm working to finish the last half of the last sassy striped sock and then will have to move on to something entirely new. Figured I'd try and start the new year with clean needles!

Hope all your projects are done on time for the holidays, that they finish up easily, look magnificent, and bring warmth, happiness, and awe from your friends and families! Merry Christmas all you knitters!

Bad Knitting Blogger!

2005-12-06T22:09:00.000-06:00

Ok - I know you're thinking I haven't done a single thing new in ages! Well - you'd be WRONG! Been so busy knitting, haven't had much time to blog. So, here's what I can say - I've knitted a few more sparkley scarves, one not so sparkley one for a Christmas present (so, obviously, can't be shown here), and have been fighting (yes, fighting) with a lace patterned scarf in a beautiful mohair yarn. I swear, I started this thing about eight times and the subsequently ripped it out again before it finally started going right (as if my nimble fingers had ANYTHING to do with mistakes!). Then I'd knit a while, count stitches, and find one had been lost along the way. So, rip out again, correct it, back to knitting. Seems I've worked on this thing forever - but has honestly only been about a week and a half.

Neice Wendy suggested "life lines" be put in where I know the pattern's right so I don't have to rip out to a spot before that. AND - she thinks I have finally found a pattern that is up to my difficulty level. Comforting. Right!

Whew!

2005-11-21T17:14:00.000-06:00

After working frantically to knit nine of the sparkley eyelash scarves so they'd be ready to sell for a jewelry party a friend of mine's having, sounds like the party may not even happen. Sigh. Story of my life! At least I used colors I like, and won't mind keeping, if necessary!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. The temp job I'm working is taking a lot of thought, but if it turns permanent, it would be well worth the effort.

Along with knitting the sparkley scarves, I'm also working on a Christmas scarf, and finishing up the sassy stripes socks. So, isn't like I haven't been knitting! Just not posting as much. I will try and do better!

Also, while scoping out new scarf yarn to buy, also found a very pretty mohair and will turn that into a lacy scarf of some sort. It is very pretty! My meager stash is improving, especially since I have a bit more cash to invest . . . perhaps for the next few months I spend looking for work. Gotta keep my spirits up, but wonder if it will ever end!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

St. Louis Knitters Guild Member - Finally

2005-10-29T09:14:00.000-05:00

As of 27 Oct 05, when I finally mailed a check, I became a member of the Greater St. Louis Knitters Guild! For those of you interested, you can go here to learn more about the Guild and find out about their history, calendar, various programs and charities, see pictures, or get help. My niece, Wendy (aka "Gwen"), has been a member for a year or two and really has enjoyed their activities. I'm looking forward to meeting some more local knitters, making new friends, and learning some new techniques!

Scarves, Scarves - Everywhere!

2005-10-16T13:20:00.000-05:00

At a friend's suggestion, I am knitting scarves to be sold during the holidays. She loved the one I made myself a while ago, so I made her one, too. Then she suggested I make a few to sell to "professional women" - assuring me that they will be a "hit!" So, I'm giving it a go - might be a nice way to earn some extra cash for Christmas. So along with starting my new job, doing laundry and having to hang it to dry due to the broken dryer, dealing with a dead refrigerator, and a former employer intent on fighting my receipt of unemployment benefits, I have managed to work on the following:

A lovely peach, cream and tan scarf, finished to include twinkley fringe.

Knitting three different colors at a time!

Pink, cream, tan closeup:

Closeup of blue/pink:

The black, red and silver:

Autumn Leaves

2005-10-02T13:50:00.000-05:00

Bet you think this will be a post about me getting ready to rake up the 80+ bags of leaves I typically have in my yard every fall . . . but NO! I found a free knitting pattern called "Autumn Leaves" a while back, but it came with no picture. The poster (Michelle on the Knitlist) had included this delightful paragraph:

"A few years ago my Grandmother passed away and I was given her stash of yarn and all the books, patterns, knitting needles and crochet hooks. In going through them the other day looking for something to make I came across a pattern that was in her handwriting with a note saying whom she had copied the pattern from. In reading through the pattern I realized it was for a beautiful shawl which I remember her having and letting me use when playing dress up when I was a child (I am now 39). I'm not sure where this was originally published but I thought someone might enjoy making this."

Initially, I started out just to see what it would create - and used some of my really old, acrylic "crap" yarn from the "dime store." If I'd been more clever, I would have just done a piece of the pattern or two, but NO! I cast on the whole thing and began knitting. At one point, there were so many stitches with the thick yarn, the circular needles I was using broke. Instead of ripping it out and just saying, "ok, now I know," I ran a string through the stitches, ran out and replaced the needle and kept on knitting.

Funny thing. In real life, when you go to the doctor you take along your knitting and knit while you wait. Same with the dentist, same with the auto mechanic, or whatever. For the unemployed, most hours of most days are life's waiting room. So, to keep myself busy and out of trouble while waiting for the phone to ring, I've been knitting. Socks, shawls, tiny purses, more socks, and now, more shawls. So below, I post some lovely pictures of the Autumn Leaves Shawl (minus fringe, which I don't intend to add), finished, blocked, and actually quite soft now that it's been steamed.

So, here for your viewing pleasure, the "Autumn Leaves Shawl."

It's Easy When Time's on Your Hands - Along with the Yarn!

2005-09-24T19:36:00.000-05:00

I've been busy knitting as I sit home and wait for the phone call to come that will have me starting a new job someplace fantastic. Thought I'd post some pics of this week's accomplishments.

First off, blocked the lace shawl I made from my hand-dyed yarn. Unfortunately, it's longer than a door, and my camera's not terrific, so the picture is closer up. But, believe me, it did turn out rather well!

Created this lovely, but tiny purse. Is about big enough for a credit card, but was easy to do, fairly quick, and my first try at beading. Have to thank my dad for supplying me with a snap - seems I can't find any at my house! I really love this little bag, but not entirely sure what I'll do with it!

Then, I finished sock #1 of the sassy stripes and am about two-thirds the way through the ribbing for the second sock.

Oh - and when I needed a break from knitting, I completed painting building #21 (or is it #22?) - this cute stone mill with a water wheel. One day, I'll have to create a village to put these all on with the lights coming up from below the board.

On the Needles Now

2005-09-22T08:46:00.000-05:00

Still knitting up a storm. Actually have three projects going at once! Still working on the second sock of the blue/white sassy stripes. Have a triangular shawl started in the Autumn Leaves pattern, and just begun this cute, tiny beaded purse - my first beaded knitting trial! It's from the most recent Creative Knitting e-letter. I've found lots of cute patterns there, but this is the first one I've tried. Will post a picture of my "rendition" once I get it done.

Yes, You Can!

2005-09-21T08:35:00.000-05:00

You CAN get a bunch of knitting done when your power's out for 33 hours!! I just knew you'd wonder!

I finished the first blue/white stripey sock below and started its mate. Finished the shawl pictured below and blocked it. Have been knitting another shawl with junkie yard and broke my circular needle, so after buying a new one, got it back on the needles successfully (wonder of wonders!) and knit some of that, too. Also spent hours picking up tree debris in the yard, started to paint the very last (I swear!) plaster Christmas house (think this makes 25), cleaned a bunch of stuff, read a couple books . . . and hoped for electricity soon.

Also, suffered a great deal of computer separation anxiety!

Feels good to be back amongst the living and power charged!

Knitting Update!

2005-09-04T14:24:00.000-05:00

This is what's on my needles this week!

Have had a bunch of time, so mostly been working on the Waves and Shell lace shawl. After a few "bugs" getting started, it is now moving along pretty quickly. I am really enjoying working with the hand-dyed yarn. It is coming out beautiful, altho the color changes aren't especially obvious in the picture.

When Niece Wendy went to Stitches, she got me some very different yarn . . . and I've begun a pair of socks out of it. It isn't just stripes, but due to some large blue patches in the white, it is kind of haphazard. I really think these are going to look really cool. Hum . . . perhaps another pair for me???

Birth of a Logo

2005-08-28T17:00:00.000-05:00

I sketched this out today in MS Paint and wonder what people think of this as a logo for my blog?

Let me know! Leave a comment!

Thanks!

First Use of the New Hand-Dyed Yarn!

2005-08-28T15:36:00.000-05:00

This is the newest project:
The Waves and Shell S hawl.

Finally got my hand-dyed yarn balled last night, courtesy of my niece, Wendy. The colors are fabulous! and I can't believe how pretty this will be once it gets finished.

The pic on the right includes the beautiful ball of lace-weight yarn, the one below, the closeup. All-in-all, this beginning took me about three hours, but it is fairly simple and should go quicker as I get used to the pattern. I can hardly wait to finish!

Another Pair of Socks - This Time for ME!!

2005-08-27T23:25:00.000-05:00

Finished the Blueberry Waffle socks in the Regia yarn - and it only took a week for each sock . . . . not too shabby! Balled my hand-dyed yarn from last weekend's dyeing party tonight, and will start a lace shawl soon with the blue/pink lace weight. Sure looks different once it's out of the hank and into a ball! Will post pics of the progress!

Dyeing for a Change!

2005-08-23T12:58:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday, Niece Wendy (aka Gwen) and I got busy early in the day and began dyeing 14 skeins of wool and mohair. Much of it was lace weight and sock yarn. What a blast! We started out with Koolaid, Wilton cake dyes, and some aniline dyes I had. Then we started mixing our own colors like a couple mad scientists and dyeing little hanks of yarn.

Aren't they cute?

Wendy brought Grandma's swift along and her ball winder, and both got used extensively!

Here we are doing our crazy thing!

Yes, it's a messy business!!

Then into the microwave for a quick steam. Can you say "smells like WET DOG in here????"

But at the end of the day, what a beautiful sight!

And I'm happy to say after almost three days, my hands are almost back to normal - however my nails may never be the same. Wendy cheated and wore gloves!

Finished Products

2005-08-23T09:57:00.000-05:00

Here are my results from Saturday's dye job:

Lace Weight

<----- Sock Yarn

Mohair ----->

DIFFICULT Stash Enhancement

2005-08-20T22:33:00.000-05:00

Ok - This is difficult stash enhancement:

Niece Wendy tried to divide a skein of 880 yards of lace weight yarn to dye today, and ended up making a mess. As she was leaving - it was still on the back of the couch - she said "knock yourself out." heheheheheh So, after an hour of untangling, you can see the small ball, less than the size of an orange, sitting there. Yes, it's good that I'm unemployed and have time to waste doing this kind of stuff. It will help keep me sane while waiting for the phone to ring!

Blueberry Waffle Socks

2005-08-19T19:18:00.000-05:00

I finally finished the first sock last weekend, and have been knitting on the second this week. This is the Regia 1932. Thought I'd post a WIP. I absolutely LOVE this color!! Actually, kind of looks like blueberries! At least the color's right!

Beautiful color!

Shawl Obsession

2005-08-19T16:06:00.000-05:00

I have become obsessed!! A couple weeks ago, I followed a link from a blog and ended up finding the most beautiful, just finished, red, round, knitted lace shawl that was pictured blocked to the carpet. Absolutely stunning! One of the comments read "the center's absolutely mesmerizing!" It even had a pattern name, and of course I Googled that, found the pattern which was listed for $7.50 . . . someplace. Do you think I can find it again? It was quite intricate. I've looked at Pi shawls, pinwheel shawls, faroese - which are not round (the name of the pattern started with the letter "f").

Unfortunately, I found it at work. I knew the temp assignment was ending and deleted all my browser history and files, which eliminated any possibility of retracing my steps. I have spent HOURS doing Google searchs for patterns or snippets of what I remember. And NOTHING!

I would love to give up the search - or find that pattern. Anyone have any idea what it is or, more exactly, where it is? I am totally helpless here! Stop LAUGHING!!! I need HELP!

Knitting Projects Begun and Planned

2005-08-09T12:18:00.000-05:00

Well, niece Wendy (aka "Gwen) is heading for Chicago and "Stitches" on Thursday, and I envy her! She's got so much enthusiasm for knitting! My grandmother taught me that and crochet when I was under 10, so it has just become a part of who I am. Luckily, she's learning techniques I wasn't taught - I just learned the basics and taught myself Aran and some lace work. Actually, you can usually tell I'm an "old fashioned" knitter - only one project at a time!

So, now, what's going on? I've got a pair of "blueberry waffle" socks started in the Regia 1932. I think it is the prettiest sock I've knitted so far! Am carrying the blueberry waffling over the top of the foot, too. Sock one has the cuff and heel finished and am working on the body. Soon to start the toes! Then on to sock two!

Also, found this lovely Seaman's scarf shown on the right. I may try making it for a Christmas gift for a special guy in my life. Am planning on using a fingering yarn either in a solid color or with a bit of tweed to it, so should be quite interesting.

Niece Wendy and I (see her blog by clicking here) ordered some of the Knitpicks laceweight merino dyeable wool, and some of the sock weight. We plan a Kool-Aid dyeing party on the 20th of August, so we should have a blast. She's in a knitting group in Crestwood, MO, and they dyed a bunch of it back in February (see her Feb archive for details and pictures). The whole thing was written up in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Am currently looking for a suitable lace shawl pattern and can't seem to find the one I saw and was really impressed with. It was on someone's blog, round, red, they'd been working on it forever, and had finally finished it - was pinned to the carpet, blocking, and was beautiful and intricate. Just can't remember the name of the pattern! Anybody have any ideas??

I will need something suitable for the "lovely" Kool-Aid yarn I end up with in a couple weeks! Also, I spent a weekend not so long ago pulling and begging a mohair sweater apart. Wendy knitted it, her love quickly turned to hate, and she gave it to me (I gave her a skein of sock yarn *I* hated, so it all works out!). Is beautiful light blue and white and I need a project for that, as well.

Knitted Harlequin Baby Hat

2005-07-28T17:06:00.000-05:00

Here's the cute baby hat I made for my Great Niece, Lindsay. (Shhhhh - don't say anything, she doesn't know yet!)

This was TOO COOL! Was the first time I cast on using a crocheted chain. You knit one hat, pull the chain while picking up the stitches, and knit another hat. As you can see by the pictures, the inside of the hat (on the upturned brim) is the same as the outside!

What a neat deal!

Here's one side of the hat . . . .

And here's the other!

hehehehehehehehe

My Masterpiece! An Heirloom Crocheted Bedspread

2005-07-17T23:08:00.000-05:00

This is the work I am most proud of. It took seven years - on and off - to crochet in a nice cotton antique white. Each square is 5" and the whole thing is composed of 342 squares which fits a Queen-size bed (amazing I'm still not working on it!!) Actually, when this was started, it wasn't immediately evident that it was a pattern for a TWIN SIZE, so the darned thing continued to grow! Fortunately for me, we didn't have the king-size bed very long! I love this pattern because it amazes me that something that started out round could end up in a nice, perfect square. Bone dry, it weighs 35 pounds, but I've never tried weighing it while wet!

Actually, this was completed probably around 1979, but I have been using it (and sleeping under it) every night since. Hope you can tell how very proud I am of this!

A picture of the double-knotted fringe.

The whole thing on the bed - sorry it's a bit fuzzy, but my little camera can be hard to focus. Hopefully, you get the idea!

A Bunch of Handknit Socks!

2005-07-17T23:07:00.000-05:00

I have been in the mood to knit socks - not sure why - I never wear them!

These are for a friend's niece - anklets!

These are pink/blue/green cotton. This knits up so great!

These are wool . . . .

More cotton - in my favorite color!

I call these the "Monet" socks - they are tweedy dark yarn filled with little bits of marvelous colors!

Knit Tiny Eyelash Scarves

2005-07-17T23:04:00.000-05:00

This is a new-ish scarf I made from specialty yarn in a very open stitch - looks very lacy.

This is my favorite new scarf - is done in tiny "flag" yarn that kind of twinkles when the light catches it. Both look great worn over a solid color teeshirt! I would love to make these and sell them. If anyone is interested, please leave your email address and a comment!

2005-02-17T14:58:00.001-06:00

This is me!!!

Stitcher's Creed

2005-02-17T14:58:00.000-06:00

"The hopes and dreams of the stitcher's heart are oft expressed in her needle art."

Fuzzy Feet Fiasco!!!

2005-02-17T14:36:00.000-06:00

Fuzzy Feet Before

Ok - Finally used the gorgeous yarn I bought in Grand Haven, MI a year and a half ago. Beautiful stuff!! I was so excited with the outcome of my last felting project, I was filled with a "CAN DO" attitude. I proudly took this before picture and headed to the washer. As luck would have it, while they were agitating, the cable repair guy showed up. Sigh. See the picture below . . . .

These will now fit a four-year-old. :( I rewet them, stretched, tugged, and nearly threw out my shoulder trying to get them past my toes, but it was not to be!! Where can I find a four-year-old who wants warm, soft feet??? Any suggestions??

Lacy Scarf

2005-02-17T14:35:00.000-06:00

Lace Scarf

I've started working on a lace scarf pattern in tiny mohair. Think it's turning out quite good!

Below is a "close up"

Hand-Knit Colorful Socks!

2005-02-17T14:32:00.000-06:00

Blue Socks

Red Felted Hat

2005-02-17T14:31:00.001-06:00

BEFORE

AFTER

Isn't this cute???