Weedwacker Knits

New Year's Perks (and some knitting)

2012-01-10T23:41:00.010-06:00

There are some perks with having a warmer January than what we are accustomed. We have been having some beautiful sunrises. I appreciate a good sunrise over water, or in a scenic spot. Little did I know the view from my deck could compete with such views, but there it was. I just needed to be up kinda early for it.

We decided to start the new year off a little differently than usual. We didn't gorge ourselves on heavy hors d'oeuvres and sweets. Instead, my sweetie made a trip to the grocery store just for veggies, and light dip, and our favorite--Holiday Grapes. While he was out, I made popcorn mixed with Rice Chex and almonds and spices. We enjoyed sparkling grape juice and saved the alcohol for another day. We watched some Twilight Zone, got started on "Lost," then watched the ball drop in Times Square. It may sound corny and boring, but we really enjoyed it; the best part being that we didn't have to drive home from anywhere.

As far as resolutions go, we are renewing our goals for healthy eating habits and being fit. Lately, I have been looking for effective ways to combine diet and exercise, and becoming more confused as to what to do about it. Exercising like crazy for 20-30 minutes and then endure muscle pain for three days isn't very pleasant or enjoyable, and it doesn't feel very natural.

I discovered Dr. Levine's (Mayo Clinic professor) book called, "Move a Little, Lose a Lot," which suggests many active ways to get through the day: walking more and moving more, burning calories all day long, in lots of little ways that add up. The (scientifically proven) result burns more calories and increases metabolism. The total calories burned can greatly exceed the morning treadmill session workout--especially when most of us typically follow such workouts with hours of sitting at the desk, tv, and/or computer.

I won't ditch my cardio workouts--just adding to it by limiting my sitting time, and finding ways to accomplish some things while moving. We've all heard, "take the stairs," and "park farther away." It is that, and much more. Make it a lifestyle, and the calories burned will add up to big results. I'm willing to change some old habits by getting up from my chair, moving more, and living more. Starting. Now.

This afternoon, I began my new journey with a 2 mile walk through the park. A brisk walk, not a run. And guess what? In addition to feeling great, I noticed a few things that I never would have seen running. Like how blue the sky was.

A heron, roosting in the fork of a tree.

--Fox squirrels sunning themselves...

Of course I won't abandon computer, or knitting, (or other workouts), but merely balancing it out by increasing moving and walking, and fitting it into my lifestyle. I think this will be fun. I should see an improved metabolism and new me...and that sounds like a great way to start the year.

Speaking of knitting, with the cold weather that will be here this week, I'm finishing up "The Good Shepherd Mittens," with some lovely wool from Vermont, that I purchased two years ago, at the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool festival.

A fashion perk for winter walks!

A Topic of Conversation

2011-12-30T23:30:00.008-06:00

On our annual Christmas shopping trip together, my sister and I found ourselves at World Market. She was looking for an ugly ornament for an exchange as a gag. She bought a really nice one elsewhere, for when the joke was up; but for the ugly, she settled on a hideous straw penguin, poorly painted and glued together.

In the meantime, this little sprite caught my attention from a picked-over ornament display. At first glance, I thought it was cute, but after picking it up, noticed some little details, like that he had no hands, and was holding a mushroom. The delicate pixie face was expressionless and slightly creepy, and it had silly little pipecleaner legs.

It was okay that the pipecleaner stump bore no hand. I don't think it ever had hands to begin with. I still liked it. My sister tossed it into her shopping basket with the ugly penguin, and we continued our shopping.

On Christmas eve after church, we met up with my family for dinner and gift exchanges. There, in a little bag with another gift, was the sprite. I was happy to see it, and the sentimental smile on my sister's face was the icing on the cake.

[The other gift was a handled shot glass containing a hidden memory. Why do I remember this so fondly? (it's not what you think). It was the same style of vessel that we used to rinse our brushes for our watercolor paints when we were little. Our smart parents knew it was the perfect size, and hard to knock over and spill.]

So, is the sprite creepy, or cute? Still I can't decide, but I like the way it looks hanging from a branch with a mushroom in one of its missing hands.

One never knows what can be found in an import store. Some people say you need to be careful and be on guard for lesser quality merchandise. Sometimes, like the sprite, that can be part of the charm of the thing; other times, not so much.

We came across some decorative balls. You know, the heavy, useless orbs that get placed in a bowl, to sit on a person's coffee table. They come in all sorts of different colors. Most of them are boring, since they don't serve a purpose, but the ones I found at World Market are--let's just say they are a topic of conversation:

The creepiest thing I've seen yet.

All Is Bright

2011-12-22T22:35:00.009-06:00

Lately I've been trying, maybe too hard, to find Christmas joy. The happy anticipation has been creeping away, year by year. I've overheard people at the grocery store, saying that they'll be glad when it's all over. With each shopping trip, the sending of cards, the baking, and decorating; the radio stations that have been playing Christmas songs relentlessly since before Thanksgiving. My Scrooge was showing this year, and I just didn't know what to do about it.

It was a busy afternoon in mid December at the St. Louis Bread Company, and I was working at the register. At my line, a woman had just finished paying for her lunch. Decked in red, she gave me a smile that was just as bright--and as she turned to leave, I said in my cheeriest voice, "Have a happy holiday!"

The woman started to walk away, then leaned back toward the register, smiled again, and in a very heartfelt way, said, "Merry Christmas." I said, "Merry Christmas" in return, and realized the timing was off. Then she said something that was to change the way I ended my transactions for the rest of the season:
"You know, Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ; and we should say, Merry Christmas, because that is what it is. For whatever people celebrate, we wish them a Happy Hanukkah, or whatever it is they celebrate. Our country fought for us to express ourselves the way we want to, and so I choose to say, 'Merry Christmas' ...and no one should tell us to say anything other than what we want to say; freedom of speech is our right." She wasn't indignant or self righteous...just sweet and calm, with the essence of an angel.

Although the message isn't new to me, it sticks. I've carried that thought around. Sometimes, we get hung up on trying to say the right thing so we don't offend anyone who might have a different belief than our own. I don't know anyone here that would hate me or the establishment I work for because I wished them a Merry Christmas! I may have to look harder for the "Merry" part of it these days, but the reason for the season outshines all the hoops we jump through to get to that day when we celebrate the birth of Christ.

After all the rushing around--cranky and fussing, and all the preparations, finally arrives Christmas Day. Before you go to bed on Christmas eve, open your door and look at the stars. Listen to the quiet night. In the morning, hear the church bells. Spend time with your family, remember your blessings, and be grateful. May you feel joy...and have a very Merry Christmas!

Adventures in South Florida, and a Harlot in Church

2011-10-26T10:22:00.005-05:00

These past two weeks have been an experience and an adventure. Beginning with my cousin's wedding in Florida, we enjoyed visiting family, and then the beach. We were hoping to catch sunrise and a sunset on the beach. We had clouds and wind instead of fair skies, but I actually liked it better than the typical heat and sunburn. It was breezy and the surf was rough, but we enjoyed walking through the sand and breathing the fresh, salt air.

Sunset provided us with a view on the other side of the beach, which was beautiful in it's own right.

We decided not to swim, but wade along the warm coastline, enjoy the views and pick up a shell or two.

In addition to the wedding and the beach, my uncle took us to the Green Cay nature reserve for a photo shoot. You walk on wooden bridges over marshlands, and there are many species of birds, and other wildlife native to south Florida that reside there.

Then I looked for, and found, a knit shop in West Palm Beach, called "Great Balls of Yarn!"

I really enjoyed this shop, and fell in love with this sweater that was hanging in the store. The pattern is #83 in the Nicky Epstein book "Enchanting Collection" and the yarn is "Asland Trends." There's a better picture of the sweater here: http://blueballmountainspindleandneedleworks.com/?attachment_id=415

Unfortunately, they didn't have the quantity of colors I needed to make the sweater, so I'll have to order it. It really hangs better than this. I got to try it on before taking the picture, so the shoulders are most likely not straight on the mannequin. Tried it on, and it fit. Perfectly. --And that means I HAVE to knit one.

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to see famous knitting blogger, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, also known as the "Yarn Harlot." Stephanie was in town to promote her seventh book, "The Secret Life of a Knitter."

Because of her nationwide popularity among the knitting community, the bookstore needed a larger venue, and so we filled the church pews and laughed as she read us stories (some true) from her latest book. Stories about her experiences with knitting, travels, and tales of relationships with yarn ("Sweater, I am no longer in love with you") that we, as knitters, can relate to, and things that non-knitters say when they see a person knitting. Seriously funny stuff. Needless to say, we all thought it was quite the unique experience knitting in church, with a Harlot to entertain us. How much trouble can knitters get into, with their yarn and needles? Stephanie has shown us what we knew all along...among us exist friendship, creativity, humor, and some really fun times.

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2011/10/23/in_the_pews_in_st_louis.html You can find me in the church picture on the right, second from the left, wearing black and white.
Until next time!

Got My Attention

2011-10-21T19:25:00.001-05:00

Sighted at the Dallas airport. Heaps and heaps of clean wool on a sheep. Think of the possibilities. Imagine knitting a sweater, with matching mitts--and a scarf to go with the sweater. What's your fiber fantasy?

The Man In The Red Truck

2011-07-19T09:19:00.005-05:00

My sister and I have gotten our running plan set up, varying routes so we don't get bored. On one particular morning, we chugged along on sidewalk, beside a busy road. Rush hour traffic was just beginning. It was the last half mile of a 2 mile run. A red pickup truck whizzed by, with a honk and a wave from its handsome male driver.

My sister asked, "Who was that cute guy that just waved to us?" With a smile, I said, "I'm not sure, but I think I LOVE him."
Sis looked at me, straight-faced, and said accusingly: "You want to have his babies!" That comment made me laugh, and it is terribly hard to laugh and run at the same time. I could feel a side-stitch coming on.

"I think I already DID," I told her and we both were lost on laughter.

I have ridden alongside that particular cute guy with the red truck. We've travelled the road of life for twenty five years. Yes, I had his babies, and the babies are now grown. We will soon celebrate our anniversary in Maine; a special time to mark the beginning of the next twenty five years. Yes, I happen to love that Man In The Red Truck.

Bring It On

2011-06-28T20:39:00.006-05:00

Part three of the running journey that got yours truly off the couch and pounding some pavement.

Change One. Moving more. This is from a girl that can sit at Panera for hours at the computer, or just knitting. I am not breaking those habits entirely, but merely adding some activity to balance them out.

My husband and I stopped at Fleet Feet, our favorite store for getting shoes and accessories. The team working there are awesome people that are runners themselves, and it's obvious they love what they do (no commission). I already have the shoes-the most important thing of all (they have shoe fitting down to a geek science!).
They had all kinds of helpful information for me, and helped me select clothing that is designed for ventilation and wicking sweat.

I was told that "Cotton is Rotten," which was somewhat an awakening. My beloved natural fiber--the cotton I spin and knit with--holds moisture that can cause chafing and blisters. It made perfect sense as I recalled a particular afternoon at Six Flags, spent in water-soaked jeans that took ALL afternoon to dry after a ride at the water park. Time to swap the cotton-spandex for the light weight synthetics that are SO much lighter when soaked with sweat. It makes a huge difference!

One other piece of gear that tracks distance, pace, speed, and more is the GPS watch. It totally ROCKS! The device knows all and TELLS all. The software plugin that I downloaded from the Garmin website will chart and graph all the information from the watch.
My first run with the watch was on a two mile flat. It seemed like an impossibly long way.
I dared not stop, with the knowledge that this watch was recording everything. It will record any slowing down or stopping, so my goal was just to finish this thing that I started. Just when I felt that death was near, the run was finished. Then something strange happened. There was a euphoria at the end of that run that made me want to dance with joy in the parking lot. This, along with the desire to do it again. I told my sister, "is that normal?" She said YES, having experienced what is called, "the runner's high."

We like to reward and encourage each other with motivational catchphrases and tokens of inspiration.
I particularly like the Dosage Instructions on the chocolate bar, and the bracelet, which I now wear on the days that we run.
"So," I asked Sis during a two and a half mile run. "Are we still Warrior Princesses?" "We are Warriors...Warrior Lionesses," she replied, in a moment of runner's euphoria/hysteria. "Anyone who gets in our way will be hunted down and EATEN."

The Power of Two

2011-06-21T13:14:00.018-05:00

Stepping out of old habits is not easy. Away from the comforts of couch and the computer lies a new and different place. Trudge through the comfort zone and you come out empowered on the other side. It began with an invitation from my sister. "Why don't you come over and run with me?"

It was fun. We hit the streets running and discovered the Power of Two. We are on different levels of fitness, ages, and weights, but we are of the same blood. We are Warrior Princesses, and when we run, we rule the road!

Sometimes she would break into our conversation to mention how far we've gone. It was just like riding a bike for the first time. When you are told that "you're DOING IT!" you suddenly realize that you ARE, then you suddenly begin to wobble (or sometimes fall). When you get it right, you have the confidence to move forward, to experience what waits for you at the end of the trail.

As we run, we talk about how we're going to keep fit, and what changes we could make. Sis shared an observation. When children are little, they pretend to be all kinds of people and things. As they grow older, they try to imitate the people they admire the most, whether they be celebrities, best friends, or other role models. By the time they've reached 40, many will grow more content with who they are, work to keep what they've got, and improve what they can.

We also discussed the distance we would like to work up to:

One mile "will soon be "lame." (cough)

Two miles "if you can do one, you can do two"

Three miles "a 5k"

Four miles "bragging rights"

Saturday morning's destination was a downhill-and-flat mile run to Panera. We stopped for coffee and a light carb/protein breakfast, and then ran another half mile back, walking the rest of the way. We discussed affirmations, future workout days and routes. Then we came up with a plan to to pass up the Father's Day donuts-and-cake brunch at Mom and Dad's. We each decided to bring fruit. "Get ready," sister proclaimed, "I'll choose your plate, and you'll choose mine."

The designated day arrived. As predicted, the sweets were flowing. My mom proudly told us how she asked for extra custard cream to fill the pastries. Do we know how to party, or what? I watched with envy, as my brother bit into a billowy donut, custard spilling onto his fingers.

Fortunately, I brought some watermelon, and my sister brought strawberries and yogurt cream. I piled the fruits on her plate, along with a Vita-Top muffin (my fave 100 calorie chocolate snack) and she put some on mine, along with a bite of crumb cake. It looked like a lot of food.

I recall someone once saying that "one shouldn't eat what they wouldn't want to be called." "Whopper," "Blimpie," "Big Mac," etc., which is an amusing way to think about food.

True to form, my mother sent us home with a plate full of leftover donuts. They went into the downstairs refrigerator, out of sight. The next day, the plate was still in there. I sampled a cold, somewhat dried out custard donut. It was a big disappointment. I triumphantly removed the plate from the fridge, thankful that it was not worth keeping.
I recalled that my sister had warned me not to succumb to the donuts. "Do you want to be called one?" she texted. I couldn't imagine someone calling me a donut, but I certainly wouldn't mind being called "Little" Debbie.

A New Challenge

2011-06-17T19:12:00.039-05:00

Look at the word, "challenge." Take three letters away and you will see the word, "change." Challenges can change people.

My sister recently challenged me to run with her. She was referring to a four mile loop around the park.

Four miles! I choked. "You're kidding, right? I can barely run five minutes without stopping." "Okay then, one mile," she said, "It's TOTALLY do-able." That became the catchphrase of a more serious venture into the world of running.
Up until now, I had been trying to do it alone, running a few minutes at a time, then walk, run walk. Running solo gives you the freedom to come and go when and where you please, but running with a partner is so much more empowering! "Be ready in the morning, Warrior Princess," she posted on my Facebook wall. My running-addicted husband mercilessly teases me about the Warrior Princess thing, with a twinkle in his eye.

It wasn't easy, but it was do-able. She talked me through a few rough moments, and behold, I completed the mile. Then it happened again. And again. Three times in one week. There seems to be no limits with runners, and we subconsciously took turns raising the bar.

Sister presented me with a challenge PACKAGE:
Hey I got an idea. Why don’t we make a fitness challenge and once a week, award a prize.
FOR example:
There are three components:
   a. Food goal
   b. Exercise goal
   c. Personal challenge

"We can do it however we like, you can challenge me and I’ll challenge you. It’s the honor system, and if (we) are able to do it, we will award each other a prize every Saturday. (like a funky pair of shoelaces for our running shoes, a cup of PANERA coffee, nothing more than say $2, just to make it fun. It can even be free."

There was not reason not to. We both know what the real reward is. Getting fit, feeling good, and getting strong. It all adds up to better health. "YOU'RE ON," I messaged back.
Lace up your shoes, Warrior Princesses! WHOOP!

Time For A Challenge

2011-05-24T09:09:00.008-05:00

Last month, I got a phone call from my husband's uncle. It was sheep shearing time on their farm, and would I want five fleeces from some sheep he sheared? FIVE fleeces? Since the sheep were more for meat, and weren't of a breed specific for wool producing, and NOT covered, I figured one fleece would be more than enough to try to clean and spin. Why not? Free is good. If it doesn't work, I can discard it.

So here comes the wool:

Lots of what we (fiber people) call "VM." Vegetable Matter. This can be anything from grass and hay to dirt and dried bits of sheep excrement. There is also the matter of dust and oily lanolin that are naturally there to be cleaned out. The uncle is by no means a professional sheep shearer. Lots of second cuts make it hard to tell which part of the sheep I'm working on. Most shearers skirt the fleece to remove the parts that are below the tail and bottom of the sheep, where the most "VM" accumulates. So raw fleeces can present all these challenges.

I took handfuls of the wool out of the bag, and washed it three times with Dawn detergent and warm water. By then, it had magically turned a creamy white.

I picked out the larger bits of grass and hay, and separated any locks to let the dust and grit fall out.

Once the wool is dry, the carding and spinning process should take care of a good deal more. It's a little tedious, but didn't take as long as I thought it would, about an hour to get it this far. I've been doing a little bit every other day.

I tried to spin the cleaned up wool, to see if it was worth it.

I think yes, how about you?

Not So Much Knitting

2011-05-22T11:56:00.002-05:00

I've been working in the garden as much as possible, taking advantage of the cooler weather and dodging the raindrops. It's grubby business.

Along with the usual tomatoes and peppers, cucumbers and beans, I decided to put a few cotton plants in the vegetable garden to make it more interesting.

I started the cotton from seed in March, where it was sheltered in a cold frame. When it got too tall for that, I set them in the garden. Then it got cold for a week, and they haven't grown an inch.

I have been spinning cotton from last year. Pima cotton seeds shared by Teri. I was surprised at how much nicer this fiber is to spin.

The fiber comes off the seed much better and is a bit downier than the nothing-special cotton grown in previous years.

I'm going to save this batch until next year when I have enough handspun cotton to make a summer cardigan.

I finally finished a pair of socks, using SockPixie's "Go With The Flow" sock pattern. This is a free pattern, and a fun knit. The pattern only looks complicated, when in fact, it is not. I wish I could tell you the name of the yarn, but it has been on the needles for about a year. I purchased it a few years ago from The Loopy Ewe.

I was startled to see a young black snake crossing the pond netting yesterday, but only for a moment. It is not uncommon to see one in the spring and summer months, hanging around the back yard, sunning themselves or hunting for food. I grabbed my camera and began to take pictures as it went through the grass.

It wasn't until later, while looking at the digital photos, that I noticed he had a few injuries. I've seen this snake before. Last spring, this snake was tangled up in the plastic bird netting I put over the strawberries, and my husband and I worked together to cut him free. The scars were in the same places where the netting bound around it. The snake had been very weak and couldn't fight us and we needed scissors to cut it free of the net.

Here you can see the main injury, and the other one behind the head. I no longer set out the plastic bird netting. This pond netting is made of different stuff. The mesh is too small and smooth for anything to get stuck.

We have observed some wildlife around our home this year. Coyotes were yapping in the back yard one night. Turkey at the end of our lane. I witnessed a blue heron taking off from our yard (by the pond--good thing it's still covered). Owls are calling at night... it's all fine and good... and as long as they don't find their way into the house or garage, I really don't mind it so much.

Momm'n at Grandma's

2011-05-10T19:46:00.006-05:00

It was Mother's Day, which is never complete without a visit to see my mom and siblings, who all gathered there that Sunday morning.

Everyone brought something for the table, and we all enjoyed a feast.

Mom entertains with style and grace, even though it can get overwhelming at times, with the amount of people that are there all at once.

We got a peek at some baby cardinals in the yard.

Grandkids had fun playing with the neighbor's dog, Bella. (They actually wore out the dog.)

Grandchildren got the squeeze-hugs.

I took an impromptu picture of my sister, taking advantage of the moment and lighting on the patio.

When I sent her the photo, she wrote back from her cell phone, "It was momn in time!!! lol"

I thought she said, "It was momm'n time." Like a verb.

She wrote back, " oh geez, my phone!! I meant to say "it was a moment in time.." not mom or momm"

So now we have a new word, people. "Momm'n"

"Momm'n" or "Mommin" (MOM-in) definition: acting like mom. I'm mommin today. I need to relax.

My sister's reply: "Umm, I did say that...just not on purpose."

Sweet Shot Tuesday

2011-04-19T19:17:00.005-05:00

A well-predicted storm moved through quickly and furiously. One amazing moment's peek into the wrath revealed the force and drama that we experienced. It was a good time to be under cover!

Artsy-Crafty Goodness

2011-02-19T21:48:00.013-06:00

In addition to completing Christmas projects that didn't make the deadline, January and February have put me into an artsy-crafty kind of mood. So I took a tiny little diversion from the knitting.

The snow was pretty, but more than enough. I really hope that these photos will have more appeal in July, when sweltering heat and humidity settle into the midwest.

Nine inches of snow (and an ice storm two weeks later) pushed me to get busy on unfinished projects of various kinds.

The first line of action was to do something to remind myself that winter won't last forever. I scoured Bed Bath and Beyond for over an hour, and found a large tablecloth on clearance. On the way home, I stopped at the grocery store for some flowers in similar colors. A sampling of spring in the dead of winter. I'm not opposed to buying myself ten dollars worth of flowers. Try this with spring flowers or hyacinths; see and feel the good it does for the home and the heart.

The next order of business was to finish a project that I started before Christmas, as a gift for my oldest son, who went to school for aerospace engineering. I have always been intrigued by those who use their computer to print on fabric. I have always wanted to try making a tie, so I combined this with a favorite engineering formula of his. I don't know what it means, but it means something to him.

I found the directions at Purl Bee, and also here.

I was really 'impressed' by the way you can use the computer and printer to transfer words or images to fabric.

This was a really fun project. The only thing about it is that skinny ties aren't the rage right now, as my son felt compelled to inform me--which is most likely a clue that he won't be wearing it much, if at all. So a hug, and then this pretty tie went promptly onto the closet tie rack. (But you know, I really wouldn't mind making another one)

While working on this tie, I got to reminisce a little bit. Back when I was in Brownies (Girl Scouts), we each made a "pin cushion" for Mother's Day. It was exciting that with very little effort, I could turn a small canning jar, a piece of foam and some red velvet into this:

I made this one for myself in--maybe ten minutes, and I use it all the time. Instead of pins, you can place buttons or other notions inside the jar. So there's a quick and elegant gift for the seamstress in your life.

The next artsy-crafty thing I did was recycle our Christmas cards into gift tags. Just trim with crafting scissors and punch a hole in the corner. Make sure you don't have writing on the back side of the label, and there you have a head start on next year's wraps.

Okay. This one I didn't make, but someone else did.

I saw this ring on a blog and was so taken with the serene face, that I ordered it. The ring is called "Face of the Moon." It was made by a silversmith in Bali, and carved in cow bone. The company is called NOVICA, in association with National Geographic. They work directly with thousands of master artisans in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

...and THIS is how it came to me, direct from Bali. Beautifully packaged, including a small post card with a hand written thank-you note from Novica.

Selamat Pagi. I also learned a few words in Balinese by chance.

The best part is knowing that not only do I have a unique and affordable piece of art and culture, but have helped the artist (Buana) support his family in Bali.

How "cool" is that?

All is (now) Calm

2010-12-27T13:06:00.003-06:00

We had the nicest snowfall on Christmas Eve. It was a pleasant kind of snow that packs under your feet, sticks to the trees, yet slushes on the street. The perfect kind of snow.

Our Christmas Eve would not be complete without the visit to my parents house, straight after church. There were lots of wet shoes on my mom's entrance rug.

The first thing we do after greeting the family, is guess how many candies are in the jar. Someone asked 4-year old Paul and wrote down what he said. I must admit, his answer was quite comprehensive.

There was family entertainment:

Team Pictionary! Jeff draws "Jay Leno" for us to guess.

"Airbag"

"Car Sick"

My parents had gifts for their grandchildren and friends.

Like the snow, our own Christmas morning was just right, and wonderful. A few nice gifts, staying at home with the family, a nice dinner, and little special traditions.

After opening gifts, we pass around the box of Hickory Farms "Petit-fours." Goes great with the morning coffee. This has been our Christmas tradition since the boys were little.

So here are the knitted gifts:

Remember Nicole's "Coach Inspired" scarf from the last post?

Jeff's girlfriend, Jen, had felted slippers waiting for her under the tree. The pattern is from French Press Knits, and I used Patons wool.

With a little gentle stretching, ~~and a little pain~~, they fit just right. (jk about the pain)

On the other end of the spectrum, Tom got slippers that I'm going to felt down to size while he's home to try them on.

Then there were little cherished things that don't come from any store. Like this precious card, made with love from my little nephew, Dominic. We also got hand painted wooden ornaments from my little nephews.

...and inspiration for the Christmas knits to come.

I hope you had the happiest of holidays. Best wishes for the coming New Year!

Ready Or Not

2010-12-21T08:33:00.004-06:00

This year, along with a few traditional recipes, I decided to try making Peppermint Bark. It is an easy thing to make, but an effort that gets easier with each batch. One of my sons volunteered to help break up the candy canes, a task that sounded easy, but presented its own challenges. Twenty four candy canes needed to be broken up. Each one had to be unwrapped from its plastic wrapper. Pieces of static-charged plastic wrap clung to his fingers, but after the first dozen he had found out the trick was to unwrap them from the bottom.

We double-zip-lock bagged the candy, and he used a wooden mallet to pound down the candy canes.

As you can see, Tom really put a lot of himself into the task. In a cloud of candy cane dust, we finished the coarser pieces in a food processor, and the job was done.

Next, I melted down the chocolate pieces. Using a double boiler, the white chocolate melted, and proceeded to seize into a stiff blob. There was no spreading it. After a frantic search on the computer for solutions, I tried the suggestion of adding a tablespoon of vegetable oil, and the mass turned smooth and silky and then I was able to work with it. The second batch went much better, and I didn't have to add anything to the white chocolate.

Peppermint Bark

24 ounces white chocolate chips

24 ounces milk chocolate chips

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

20 candy canes

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.

2. Pour the milk chocolate chips onto the pan and spread them around. Bake for a couple of minutes until they look a bit melted. Then take the pan from the oven and spread the chocolate around with a spatula. Put the pan in the refrigerator to cool and harden for about 30 minutes.

3. Next open the candy canes, place them on a cookie sheet under a clean dishtowel and crush them with a hammer (this part is fun for kids). Sort the larger candy cane pieces from the candy cane dust.

4. Melt the white chocolate chips in a double boiler (I used a smaller pan in a bigger pan), stirring constantly. Add the peppermint extract and stir in the candy cane dust which will color your chocolate a light shade of pink. Let it cool a bit, then pour it over the top of your milk chocolate layer.

5. Sprinkle with candy cane pieces and press them down gently so that they stick.

6. Refrigerate for several hours, shake off the excess candy pieces, then break the bark into chunks. Best kept refrigerated.

I can finally reveal a piece of Christmas knitting! Let me present to you the "Coach Inspired Scarf."

My niece had put a scarf on her Christmas list, and knowing how much she enjoys Coach bags, I decided to use the free pattern offered by Jeanna Quinones of Girlieqknits, who uses similar colors to get the look, without the hefty price tag.

Nicole loves it, and the colors match perfectly with her Coach coin purse. I used the recommended colors offered by Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice yarn. She can wash it any time and not worry about special care.

I have been busy knitting for Christmas, but have to wait until later to show them to you.

Until then, have a wonderful holiday!

Taking Shots at the Moon

2010-11-21T23:12:00.029-06:00

I am taking my first E-class ever on night photography by Kent Weakley. I'm getting great instruction in plain English, and shooting the moon is one of the assignments.
This evening is a full moon. The weather is mild, but wind gusts and clouds made it difficult to get a great picture.
5.6, 1.10s, ISO 200, 55-200 zoom 200m

Considering that I have never gotten a good shot of the moon with a digital camera, I was satisfied with this rather dramatic shot.
Storm clouds were moving in fast and furious. I only had about 15 minutes before the clouds took over. I spent the last couple of days trying to find the BULB setting on my Nikon D40 in Manual mode. I got the shutter speed numbers, but no word that said 'bulb.' I resorted to shooting AUTO with the camera on a tripod, and that's how I was able to get a long exposure.

I don't think it's as bad as it could have been!
f5.6 1/60s, ISO200, 55-200@200m

Leaves In My Wool

2010-11-01T16:47:00.002-05:00

Fall is my favorite time of year. Recently, I had the chance to watch this Monarch butterfly emerge from its chrysalis. The caterpillars came from a plant called Butterfly Weed (Asclepias Tuberosa). I watched the caterpillars get bigger by the day, as they feasted on this plant. Then they disappeared, virtually overnight. I kept looking around to see where they went. By luck, I accidentally found one under the deck window ledge, and one more under the deck railing. The actual hatching out happened so fast that I missed the first one. The second one was visible from the window. With a bit of vigilance, I was able to witness it's 15-second emergence. It took a lot longer for the wings to expand and dry, and I didn't hang around for that part of it.

WOOL, WARP AND WHEEL

Anna was hosting our meeting of Wool, Warp and Wheel. It was a beautiful drive to her farm. So nice, in fact, that we spent most of our spinning and knitting outdoors.

Anna's been weaving again! She calls this exquisite handwoven, "Lunatic fringe color gamp in a twill pattern." This was an 8-shaft twill, and from what I understand, extremely time consuming. There were 8 different treadlings, one for each napkin.

Here is a close-up of a quilt Anna recently finished.

Robin came prepared to show a beautiful quilt of her own. She says this is her first one in ten years.

Anna prepared three different soups for us to enjoy: minestrone, lentil sausage, and mushroom barley. I got to sample all of them, and they were all wonderful!

A brand new knitter, learning the 'ropes'

Everyone take note that Robin is CROCHETING. She doesn't like the look of crochet (and there was some mention about a cold day in a certain place before she would even consider learning to crochet at all). But she surprised us when she discovered how awesome crocheted trims and borders can be, and caught on very quickly.

I had been spinning homegrown cotton before leaving my chair to take pictures. This is George.

George discovered a cozy spot by my wheel. He probably figured if I was going to run around taking pictures, he'd just ~~steal~~ enjoy my spot in the shade.

Escape

2010-07-29T08:50:00.167-05:00

For our 24th wedding anniversary, we wanted to get away for a weekend. My sister recommended Hermann, Missouri. It was not more than an hour from home, and she raved about the accommodations and scenery. It was perfect. We decided to participate in their Wine Trail, which included tours of seven local wineries, some which were just outside of Herman.

Got a few minutes? I'm going to warn you. I took a lot of pictures! It was hard for me to choose which ones use. So for your viewing pleasure, I now present to you a condensed version of our adventures in Hermann, Missouri.

Hermann was even more beautiful than I expected. It's rich German history was obvious in its architecture, and all through the district, with quaint shops, cozy restaurants, and warm hospitality. We stayed at Hermannhoff Inn, and were treated like family.

We stayed in the Vidal suite, which was everything we dreamed it would be.

The views from both the door, and from the top of the hill, were magnificent, including numerous historic buildings, a courthouse, and brewery.

Our room was rustic and elegant. The quilt and pillow on the appeared to be hand made. I loved exploring the details of the room.

The bathroom was huge, with an iron, claw-footed soaking tub, large shower, and even a player with classical music CD's for listening pleasure and atmosphere.

The Hermanhoff Inn is the place where we had a heavenly breakfast. That morning, it was egg and sausage casserole, scone, and fruit.

The town chocolate shop was our second stop, after the antique store. My husband picked a selection of truffles that were so wonderful...and yeah, we enjoyed them the next morning...

as a mini breakfast, while discussing our plans for the day. After all, that's what people do, in Vacationland.

I took complete advantage of the porch view, and brought my knitting outside.

We got to do a little shopping too. I did not take so much advantage of this, as I did with the aforementioned porch view.

Things are just what they are: things. Leaving your cares behind for a few days of adventure and rest, is worth so much more than trinkets to take home for the shelf! That being said, I could easily have locked myself in the cottage bathroom and soaked in that tub for the rest of my life.

Then it was time for some wine tasting, and tours. We explored seven local wineries and enjoyed their pairings of barbecue and wine samples at each one.

We tasted many wines, but were careful not to taste all the selections at one place. After all, we did take our car, and it would be too far to stumble back to the cottage.

We took a scenic and informative tour of Stone Hill winery.

This place reminded me of the Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz.

It was cool in the cellars; a great escape from the extreme heat that we had that day. We stopped at a little place called Trapper's Grill, for some "upscale casual" dining.

After dinner, it was back to the cottage for some R&R, and a little romance.

Honeymoon FAIL. Ha! Yes, that is NASCAR. I wonder, what is TV doing in a place like THIS?

In my husband's defense, he was really just waiting for me to get out of that sweet bathtub!

Summer Wonders and Inspirations

2010-07-07T22:54:00.003-05:00

Summer in the garden always yields surprises of various kinds. This little creature snuggled inside a daylily when I came around with my camera. He ventured out when my shadow fell upon him, and leaped to safety shortly afterward.

Outside, blackberries are ready to be picked, before the birds have their chance. They went into a cobbler, and there were no leftovers.

Independence Day was spent at home, barbequed beer chicken on the grill, watermelon, and corn on the cob. I made a great tasting, but most unsightly pie for the occasion.

It's the taste that counts, and Cool Whip covers all the ugly. No leftovers there, either.

Yesterday, I visited my friend Carolyn. She showed me a rug that she made, using instructions from a

book called, "Twined Rag Rugs."

Carolyn's husband built a sturdy loom, and she was able to make this rug from the instructions in the book.

The rug was deceptively heavy, and Carolyn noted that it has too much bulk for the washing machine. She is hesitant to use it because it could prove difficult to clean, and take a long time to dry. Regardless, this piece is stunning.

Outside her cotton plants were basking in the sun. She has chicken wire around to keep the squirrels from messing in the dirt.

Downstairs her family of English angora bunnies wait for their next playtime session. Carolyn knows each personality, and spends time with them every day, grooming, and talking to them. She knows how to care for them when they are not feeling well, and when they are up to their little tricks. She definitely has a way with the rabbits, and I was surprised to see how they each perk up their ears when she says their names. It's pretty amazing stuff. I got to feed one of them cranberry treats, and pet the others, and they loved the attention.

It's time to get back to the spinning wheel. With all this inspiration, there is so much to do, while the heat and humidity run its course. I just might make a small dent in my stash.

Publicly Knitting

2010-06-18T12:27:00.002-05:00

Word is out that this week is worldwide Knit In Public week. So Barb, Robyn, and I decided to step out and do just that.

Our place of choice was our local Panera's. This is a place where you can be comfortable, enjoy good food, and stay as long as you want.

We all brought our projects to work on.
Robyn was working on a baby blanket.

Barb was making a sweater for her granddaughter.

I worked on a "Scotch Thistle Stole," using doubled lace weight wool, and having problems with the loops slipping out from the purl 3 togethers.
I made a notation to to use the correct weight yarn in the future, to avoid slipped loops.

I wore my shirt to Panera's, from last year's trip to the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY. It got some unexpected attention from people in the cafe. "Sorry, I'm just reading your shirt," from the woman behind the counter, and "That's such a cute sheep," from a little old lady that liked the picture and was surprised that there really are festivals about sheep and wool.

Back home, I decided to embellish some pillowcases I bought on sale from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. These pillowcases were quite a find: 800 count, for five dollars for a pair. I found some lace trims that came from my Sicilian grandmother. As a young woman, my grandmother did a lot of cutwork and embroidery, all by hand.

These pieces had been cut off from slips that Nana had made herself. We don't use slips like the ones she made, especially the ones made from muslin that look like giant aprons. I had to find a useful way to incorporate the lace.

This project wasn't without some bloodshed. I am not a seamstress, even with a good sewing machine. Sharp pins and little patience can be painful.

In the end, it was worth it. I now have a useful keepsake of my grandmother's handwork. Much better than sitting in a drawer! There are still bits and pieces of Nana's lace trims that are left. What creative ideas can you share for repurposing antique fabrics and trims?

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T19:34:00.008-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to all Mom's, Grandmothers, and Great Grandmothers. We had beautiful weather, cool and sunny skies all day.

I finished knitting the second Rona shawl, this time in white, using Zephyr merino/silk laceweight. I decided that it was to be a Mother's Day gift for my mom.

The knitting of this shawl went faster the second time around, and this morning, I did the last-minute blocking. Fortunately, the rug it was blocked on is wool, and the damp shawl clung to it as it was spread out. With a yardstick, I measured from the center to the tip of each edging point, and each point got just one pin, all the way around. Then I used an iron to gently press it on a low setting, using a little bit of steam. It gripped the rug and held its shape very nicely, until I was ready to lift it off.

The hardest part was folding it to fit inside a square box.

Ah, she knows what it is!

...admires the lace

...and models it for everyone to see.

On the weaving home front, I finished the green Barleycorn blanket,and thought I'd try to tie on a new warp and start another one in blue and white. I know that many of you don't weave, so I won't bore you with too many details. I tied on 355 threads, pulled them through the heddles, and tied and wound them on. When it came time to weave, I had actually wound on backwards and couldn't achieve good tension. No, that's not right.

I hadn't achieved ANY tension. So I cut the blanket off the loom, and here it is:

Once I got the threads wound on correctly, I was finally able to continue weaving the same pattern, with the new colors, and... HEY! I see that you are staring at my uneven selvege! Oh well. The first one's for practice; I should do better on the next one.

I'm off to a flying start.

Fiber-Filled Fifty

2010-04-13T17:23:00.004-05:00

This knitter's 50th year is off to a flying start. Getting together with friends and family makes for a very memorable birthday. There were lots of warm hugs, smiles, conversation and well-wishing. Every year, I am surprised by the extended fun that continues beyond the birthday. One such instance happened by chance, when my sister suggested dinner and a movie with our spouses. We ended up at Macaroni Grill, enjoying a wonderful dinner. Afterward, (thanks to my sister who informed the waitress), a chocolate cake was placed on the table, and a handsome young man sang the birthday song in Italian. We don't know what he said, but nobody seemed to care.

Out of the wonderful gifts, there were some fiber-themed ones that I must share with you, merely because receiving these as a gift is so enabling! I feel free to create, and learn, best of all, free from the guilt of bringing yet more fiber into the house. Yes, thank you, feed my hobby!

From Barb. The Knitter's Handbook looks like it has just about every technique there is to knitting, with easy to read instructions and great illustrations!

Robyn gave me a gift certificate to Panera, my favorite place for knitting out!

...from Anna, some very yummy handpainted yarn (made in Missouri) "Jwrayco". This is very soft wool, and the most luscious color, called "Variegated Pine."

Lovely handpainted Corriedale roving from Christina Marie Potter!

Feeling inspired, I got to the loom to get a project going that was supposed to be done before Christmas. No special reason, except that last year, Anna had woven a beautiful blanket from a pattern called "Barleycorn." It was so soft, and I was surprised to learn that it was made from Bernat "Softee" Baby yarn. In my book, that spells WASHABLE GIFT. So I got started, using a mint green for the warp, and a light yellow for the weft. I was surprised to see that the pattern was muted, and the yellow was dominant.

Still pretty, but not what I had hoped for. I wanted more contrast, so with Anna's advice, I picked up some higher contrast colors: white and blue, and in the process of tying the white warp onto the green warp to save the time of rethreading it all.

I've never done this before! Will let you know how it all turns out. Yes, I'm tying on from the back of the loom. SOOO, if you're a weaver, and it looks wrong to you, chances are I will have realized it after ALL 355 threads have been tied, and you will probably be too late to save me! (the moment of truth when I turn the crank and the warp doesn't wind in the right direction, then I will be totally screwed.) Thus far, it looks okay to my inexperienced mind.

Then it was ladies' day out. Destination: Loopy Ewe.

This place is a knitting wonderland, and we had a great time shopping there.

Wait---is that a piece of YARN trailing from Robyn's car? Now that's hard core.

Picture This

2010-03-06T23:30:00.008-06:00

Taking better pictures has a lot to do with understanding how your camera works. Taking pictures of your knitting presents its own problems, and this is where I got the opportunity to get in on a two hour class, given by none other than Franklin Habit. You may be familiar with Franklin's popular blog, "The Panopticon." A knitter, photographer, and artist, Franklin visited the Kirkwood Knittery from Chicago to give two classes. Without hesitation, I signed up for "Photographing Your Knitting" on the same day that I got the Knittery's newsletter that advertised the class.

Before I left to go to the class, I wondered about which camera to bring. Should I take the small Canon PowerShot, or the bigger, more serious, Nikon D40? Thinking we would be in the knitting shop, where space was limited, I brought the smaller camera. Should I bring my knitting? (stupid question, but I almost didn't bring it) At the last minute, I crammed a project in my bag and headed out the door.

Both ideas turned out to be a good thing. At the last part of the session we were encouraged to take pictures and experiment with the information learned in the class.

Franklin showed us a homemade light box, and how it can help us with photographing our smaller knitted objects, and yarns. We learned how to take pictures of objects using available light, by setting the "white balance." Very useful information about exposure and f-stop, shutter speed, and ISO, and in what instances they would be most useful.

Tips for correct use of flash and styling photos were also very helpful, and you could feel the relief in the room when we learned that fixing up digital photos using photo editing software is perfectly OKAY.

Yes. And how well was I paying attention when Franklin was telling us about how built-in flash on the camera will blast harsh, unflattering light directly on the subject? At the very moment I took a flash picture in the classroom. Oops.

For the rest of the session, I took pictures with the flash turned OFF. I wouldn't have chanced it before taking this class, but confidence and the lighting conditions in the room were both pretty good by this time.

At some point in the session, and quite suddenly, I looked at the camera, and a lot of things came clear with the settings. I learned more in those two hours than I learned in the "how to use your new camera" class that I took from Nikon.

Also, it seemed the class was relieved to know that fixing up digital photos using photo editor software is perfectly OKAY.

So would you like to see proof of my new found knowledge?

The Rona shawl, in cream. I made use of the white-balance setting, and the natural light on the window sill.

Lace is notoriously difficult to photograph, but there is some stitch detail. (Look Ma, no flash!)

Thanks to the Kirkwood Knittery, and to Franklin for a very worthwhile time. I didn't want to regret leaving without a picture. (Thanks Brooke!) OH, and I told myself it would be this, or asking Franklin to draw a picture of Delores. This is better.

Seven Days

2010-02-28T19:50:00.044-06:00

specialness -

1. The state or quality of being special.

Last December, I took up Domesticali's challenge for a "Seven Days of Specialness" exchange project. This project was inspired by all the Advent calendars that were appearing in the blogs. The swap was to include seven items to be opened over 7 consecutive days in February, and let creativity set the limits.

Ready for a little adventure, I signed up. Soon, I learned the identity of my swap partner, Suzie from SOOZ's Big Adventure. The big surprise was that Suzie lives in Australia.

We swapped information about each other, reading blog posts and emails, and collecting ideas. In the process, I learned some things about Suzie, Australia, and even about shipping to Australia.
I learned that since Australia is a continent surrounded by water, lots of things have to be shipped in from other places. These things are screened to prevent unwanted diseases or insects from entering the country. So for Customs, I had to declare what was in the package on a paper that the post office affixed to the outside of the box. What a spoiler!
I wanted to send Suzie some wonderful chocolate chai tea, and that was one of the things that could cause customs to search my box, so that had to be left out. Checking the weight of the parcel was another eye opener. It also became necessary to lighten the box to keep down the cost of shipping, which seemed unusually high for each of us. So there was some tweaking, rearranging, weighing, and fingers-crossing going on, in order to prepare the box for its trip across the ocean.

On the day Suzie's parcel arrived, my son asked why would I get a package from someone I've never met in Australia. "I don't think 'specialness' is even a word," he said.
Nevertheless, it was nice waking up each one of those days, and suddenly realizing that there was something waiting for me, from a new friend in a far away place.

More things I learned:
I learned that Suzie is a woman of many talents. She has traveled to Thailand, and has lived there. She can sew, knit, and dye her own yarn...oh, and she can screen designs on tea towels. I enjoy following her blog, and her children are just too cute.

DAY 1:

Handmade stitch markers, with Thai glass beads, made by Suzie.

DAY 2:

I learned that this is a carving of a "bilby," which is a small animal native to Australia.
Suzie told me that some people tame them as pets!

DAY 3:

This is a needle book for storing sewing and darning needles. I think it is made of linen. The flower was hand-embroidered by Suzie's grandma!

DAY 4: Suzie made this pretty apple pincushion. I love the prints she used...

--and the cute button on the bottom of it.

DAY 5:

A hand-sewn bag to hold knitting.

DAY 6:

I learned a Thai word! This is a "chiang" (which is Thai for elephant). The chiang is a symbol of luck and good health. This was made by a craft co-op in northern Thailand, where Suzie and her family lived.

DAY 7:

Sock yarn! 80% merino, 20% nylon, superwash. Dyed by Suzie! Warm tones of carmel and golden browns, with splashes of white, will make a great pair of socks.

It was a fun week, and here's one last thing I learned: Wherever one person is willing to learn about another, to share their good wishes and talents from so far away...well, somewhere in the process of that effort is where "specialness" begins. Let your 'specialness' shine this week!

An Affair to Remember

2010-02-27T10:57:00.022-06:00

I happen to be on a lace shawl kick, with a second Rona shawl using the lace Addi-turbo needles, this time in a cream color. As expected, there was the usual starting over several times with the tricky center, and the extra care that the first 21 rows demand. That was a late night. In the morning, I continued on, and by evening, was on my way to the second page of instructions. Row 22. It wasn't until the end of the day that I realized something was going on with it.

We were at the local Panera, Robyn, Barb and myself, drinking coffee and knitting away on our projects. Barb was working with a special kind of indigo-dyed cotton, that is designed to fade with washing, like blue jeans. She brought some wet-wipes along to take care of her blue hands as she handled the yarn. Just knitting away. Then, I suddenly discovered several rows of discoloration all around the edge of my lace. Something was horribly wrong. Was it the yarn? The yarn seemed to be clean. How could a yarn be dirty when it was pulling from the center of the ball? It looked like a dirty blue.

Both Barb and Robyn suspected that it might be the needles. Surely not my favorite Addi-turbo lace needles. They are supposed to be tarnish resistant (brass). Robyn asked if the needles had an odor. They smelled metallic. Barb said, "Check your fingers." My fingers looked a little dingy. I took a wipe from her bottle and rubbed it on the needles. The cloth turned blue. At that moment, I realized that hours of work had been completely obliterated.

This project, suddenly and without warning, had come to a screeching halt.

At home, I found a regular pair of Addi's and began to knit the shawl again. It wasn't picking up the fine yarn very well, and there was a significant difference. I took a jewelry cleaning cloth and wiped the Addi lace needles down, unleashing frustration with each rub. Squeaky clean. I rinsed and wiped them down again. They gleamed.

I started over. Knitting the first round, then the second. My biggest fear was that they could begin to tarnish in the middle of this project. Surely not. I had to work fast...then the needles wouldn't have time to tarnish and discolor the knitting!

I was on the 18th round, and...what is this? Oh so slightly it started, that grey-blue color. That metallic smell of the needles. This game is over. I so loved these needles, but it's time to part ways with them. Knitting lace, as I have come to know it, has changed, and for now, my love affair with lace has been compromised. 'Tarnished,' if you will.

We had another meeting of Warp, Wheel and Wool club recently, at the home of Barb B. As always, it was a good time. It was a great way to spend a rainy day.

Barb B worked on her Beatrix Potter baby sweater.

I continued spinning on the homegrown cotton.

Mary Ann worked on her sweater.

Robyn worked on the binding for Anna's quilt. She couldn't be there to show it off so...

here it is. See alll the bird cages? The back is just as pretty as the front.

Lunch was wonderful too.

I completed the Greentrelac Beret. For a first attempt at entrelac, not bad. I discovered a mistake after completing it that almost proved fatal. There's an extra round on one side. It's still wearable, and like me, just a little loose around the head...

Fiber February

2010-02-20T11:58:00.016-06:00

I sure hope that spring really is around the corner, because snow and cloudy days are getting OLD.

Here is something that I hope you will do, because it really helps brighten the spirit and those cloudy days. A few spring flowers will lift the spirits. These little pink tulips were calling me at Walmart, and who can refuse a little bit of spring right now? Five bucks, well spent!

I was just walking along, and this jumped off the shelf at a local yarn shop. But there is a plan. Before the trip, I had been contemplating working up another Rona shawl, this time, in a creamy white.

Then I found this beautiful, very soft laceweight yarn called Zephyr, just begging to be plucked from the shelf.
This yarn is also very lustrous.
It gets its sheen from the 50% blend of Tussah silk with fine merino.
This is very tough, but I'm holding back on Rona until one other project is out of the way...

A preview of my current knitting project:

It is my first attempt at entrelac knitting. Eventually (and I do mean eventually), this will be a hat to go with the scarf I made a few posts ago. I did all the math to make it fit my head, but because it's on circular needles, there's no way to try it on until it is finished. Entrelac does take a little more time, but isn't as hard as it looks. The pattern is Greentrelac Beret, and it is a free pattern. It's really cute knitted up with Wisdom Yarn's Poems.

On the weaving front, I also made an effort to get a project going on the big loom. This time, I decided to try a small blanket on the Kessenich.

I've always found it awkward to sley the reed on this loom, because the beater bar is so heavy that it can only be positioned either all the way forward or all the way back. In the past, my husband has helped me to secure it in an upright position by using rope to support each side of the frame. When he saw that I was about to try this again, he told me to wait, and then took off downstairs to the workbench. I could hear the hammering. A few minutes later, he was back with a wooden clamp:

If you look closely, you can see it in the lighter color wood. It is secured to the loom through the slot where the loom folds. I can remove it with a wing-nut.

...and here is a better picture of the wooden clamp, doing it's job.

He did this for me on Valentine's Day. I'm serious...this is SWEET!!...and not bad for recycling a bit of hardwood flooring!

What are your favorite "make it easier" ideas?

Rona, Complete

2010-02-11T23:40:00.004-06:00

The Rona shawl is cleaned and blocked...

SWEEET!!

This one is big...62" across, and hard to hold all the way out, without it slipping off the shoulders.

Thanks to my son, Tom, who took the above pictures, patiently waiting, while I moved most of my junk

--things off the hearth and beyond. He also suggested that I crop the picture to eliminate the "house tour," which I did.

The lovely Rona, complete, and all ready for spring.

Since Valentine's day is this weekend, I thought I'd share a little treat that is quick to fix, takes care of the craving for chocolate, without doing much damage to the diet, and takes about 3 minutes. It's not original, but here's a fun spin on S'mores!

Quality ingredients really matter on this microwave special. Use a good brand of graham cracker, mini-marshmallows, and the best brand of dark chocolate chips you can find.

1 graham cracker, in two halves. Take 9 mini-marshmallows (or you can use marshmallow cream).

Place 5 or 6 of these dark chocolate chips on top of the marshmallows...

Place in the microwave for about 15 seconds (watch carefully, marshmallows will puff up). Then put the other graham cracker half on top, and microwave for another 10-12 seconds. (different microwaves will vary on cook time)

DONE!!

I found this 4th grade valentine from "Cindy" in my treasure of papers from grade school.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

What Snow Days Are For

2010-02-09T13:02:00.007-06:00

Today was the perfect kind of snow day. The kind where there is just enough to be pretty, and not enough to cause problems getting around. It was a good day to get some things started and other things finished.

I started a pot of bean soup and let it cook while I took the crumpled mass of knitting that was my completed Rona shawl over to the sink to be cleaned and blocked.

I used an area rug to block it on, because the damp alpaca/silk blend had a tendency to grip the surface of the wool rug as I spread it out and pinned it down. I only pinned down the points. Beginning from the center circle to each point, I measured 31 inches, and continued all the way around. It seems to me that depending on your gauge, that number can vary. I placed a damp cotton towel over the shawl in sections, and pressed it very carefully.

Here's a better peek, and more pictures are coming soon.

I've been working on spinning some luxurious Suri alpaca from Odelia Alpaca Farms. It's a slippery fiber to spin, but is very smooth and not hard to get used to. I found that spinning from the fold helps to keep the yarn consistent, especially with slippery yarns like alpaca and angora.

Here is the crocheted blanket that I finished last night. It was started last September, to use up an assortment of miscellaneous yarns. Most of these were leftover bits of sock yarns, and I put in a few rounds of white angora for texture and interest. It's mostly a lap throw, as I don't have the patience to work on this for another year, with each round getting longer and longer to complete.

After all, there is snow...and KNITTING to be done.

A Life Remembered

2010-01-30T22:40:00.012-06:00

I got a call about a month ago, from a woman who had recently and suddenly lost a beloved Norfolk terrier. The dog had a stroke, and she had saved a bag of hair clippings. As some of you may know, I had previously owned a business called "Rover's Comb." I would spin brushed dog hair into yarn, sometimes blending it with wool, according to a customer's needs.

For five years, business was steady, up to the day it was closed (my son is allergic to dogs to the point of asthma). Truth be told, dog hair isn't among the choicest fiber for spinning, although there are many breeds that contribute to beautiful yarns. The woman had come across a remnant post on the internet, and asked for my help to find some usefulness for the yarn. Having loved and lost pets before, it was easy to understand.

I went into "RC" mode, temporarily reprising my former role, with lint roller and vacuum cleaner on constant standby.

Unfortunately, short, straight dog hair is not normally useful for producing any yarn of quality.

One thing I have done in the past, was to make an image of a dog paw by blending the short pieces with wool, hand felting it, and cutting to shape; creating an ornament for display in the home, or to adorn a Christmas tree. To make it more authentic, I've had great results with people sending me the paw print of the dog, to replicate.

I began the process of hand felting wool that was blended with the straight, short hair.

I made two batts of felt, in contrasting colors. One was to be the dog's color, and the other was white wool for background.
There were a few minor issues, most of them having to do with miniscule slivers of hair EVERYWHERE, including eyes...but in the end, it turned out quite nice.

Remembering Rosie.

While Waiting for a Brighter Sky

2010-01-21T16:24:00.039-06:00

January began with cloudy skies and peeks of that bright thing that just might have been the sun. Those little bursts of sunshine quickly disappear, so perhaps taking a picture will remind us that the big yellow thing is still up there.

So I will cheer you all with some knitting. This one is my first completed project of the new year. My goal is to complete all unfinished projects by spring. This one was the smallest, but it was so gratifying. A simple k1p1 rib. The yarn is called Poems, a very soft 100% wool. This yarn is variegated, and I used two different colorways, switching off every 2 rows. It took 4 skeins, 2 of each color, this one was on size 8 needles. I love this scarf! It is warm and comforting to wear.

Time for a Warp, Wheel, and Wool Club meeting. This month, Dale hosted, and we really enjoyed our time sharing stories, showing projects, and catching up with each other.

Dale is spinning up this Cotswold wool. She is planning to dye this yarn to make a houndstooth jacket.

I brought some homegrown cotton to spin for an unknown future project.

Barb B. is continuing knitting on a colorful Beatrix Potter sweater for her granddaughter.

Barb K is spinning a "Salt and Pepper" blend of alpaca roving that she purchased from Whirlwind Ranch.

When Barb spins, the sunlight always seem to fall on her beautiful handknit socks.

This is a scarf that Mary Ann is making. She is using Debbie Bliss merino, and the pattern is the Balloon Scarf, from the book "Scarf Style."

I love the way we use our hands to admire each other's handiwork. This one is called Citron (shawlette) from Knitty. Citron is now the most popular knitting pattern on Ravelry. Mary Ann is knitting this Citron. There are five sections, and in this photo, she is on section 3.

Robin worked on making felted slippers. Unfortunately, I had some focus issues with the camera, and couldn't get good pictures of her project.

As always, the food was amazing. Dale made the best vegetable beef stew, and there was homemade bread, veggies, cheese, salads and chocolate.

Wallpaper Caper

The new year is also a good time for remodeling. Back at the house, my good friend Diane actually volunteered to help me take down the wallpaper in the master bathroom, even though I warned her that there was a lot of it. What a good friend! Armed with a steamer, scrapers and other tools, we set out to get the paper off the walls. It took about seven hours, with a break for lunch.

It was 1980-something wallpaper. Diane said the minute she entered the room, she thought she was stepping back in time. None of us wanted to keep that look any more than we wanted to bring back shoulder pads or stirrup pants...so we got busy.

Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou

There were some expected "oops" moments, but nothing that can't be fixed.

To be continued...

Christmas Knitting Revealed

2009-12-24T13:53:00.018-06:00

It turned out to be a white Christmas after all! I let the heat out of the house to take this picture, or so I was told.

Christmas knitting can be especially rewarding when the recipient is another knitter. So I could hardly contain my excitement when these alpaca mittens were finished. I bought the yarn a year ago, with my good friends Barb and Robyn in mind.

The mitten pattern used was "Family Mittens," from the Homespun, Handknit book. The I-cord idea came from Lan echka's "Mors-du-cheval mittens on Ravelry. Although she gave great directions, when I got to the website for making the knot, I couldn't figure it out to save my life. So I used a double coin knot instead. Go ahead and click on the picture to see it better.

Frog Tree yarn is so very soft, and warm. The yarn store had a selection of colors, and a mitten on display. I tried on that mitten, and that was it. It took less than 2 balls of yarn to make the pair.

They were happy to get them!

I knitted a scarf for my son's girlfriend, Jen, that was made from two hanks of Lana Grossa "Gnocchi" yarn. I got the idea from Robyn, who made one in a pretty green color. The pattern was a simple garter stitch. I used size 10 1/2 needles and 8 stitches wide. It was a very fun thing to knit, velvety soft, and very fast knitting. If you try this, just remember to make your knit stitches in between the puffs. Robyn's website will describe how to make the scarf in even more detail.

After all the preparations, today we celebrate Christmas day. We are enjoying family time and celebrating the birth of Christ. Hope you are celebrating too, each in your own way. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

First One For Practice

2009-12-17T19:04:00.017-06:00

We're always asking my husband's Aunt Dorothy what in the world she does to make her chocolate chip cookies SO incredibly good. She says she just uses the toll house cookie recipe on the back of the chocolate chip bag. Then she goes on to say that she uses the best quality ingredients she can find: real butter, true vanilla, the best chocolate, etc.

I think that same standards for care and quality hold true for any craft project. I found this e-book called Crafty Tree Trimmings:

This is a fun assortment of tree trimmings, the combined efforts of several people. 15% of the proceeds go to Project Linus, and it's not too late to get your copy here: http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/12/crafty_tree_trimmings_e-book_d.html

When I saw the gingerbread house ornament, I knew it needed a place on our Christmas tree. I am also loving the one, that looks like a vintage ornament. Thankfully, it didn't take long to make the little house, but Christmas is coming at the speed of light, and so I plan to make the others sometime before the tree gets put away in January.

Making the ornament was fun and easy. I got some supplies together that I already had. There were, however, a few problems of my own doing. The instructions called for wool felt. I happen to have synthetic craft felt, and a lot of it, in all colors. I would have done better to use a better quality felt, and the right glue. Not having craft glue, I tried other glues, resulting in less than desirable results. Crafter's glue...NOT Elmer's washable glue, Gorilla Glue, or J-B Weld. By the way, did you know that certain glues can MELT things?

I do recall someone telling me the first one is for practice.

The final product turned out "tree worthy" after all, but I can envision Aunt Dorothy, shaking her head in disapproval at my choice of inferior materials. With her eyes closed.

It's a Fiber Thing

2009-10-25T17:59:00.040-05:00

Some people just don't get it. Have you ever wanted to tell someone, "It's a fiber thing. You wouldn't understand." Who--other than another fiber person, would understand why one would travel across the country, and bring home a suitcase FULL of wool roving, patterns, and yarn, for souvenirs? I can tell you this after visiting the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival: fiber arts are ALIVE AND WELL.

I'm actually still in recovery mode from the Connecticut/Massachusetts, Rhinebeck trip, with lots of good memories fresh in my head (and still tripping over meeting Karen Allen!). And because our fall colors were later this year, I returned home to enjoy them all over again!

I have brought back enough yarn and roving to keep me busy, most likely for the rest of my life. First, I need to finish some projects already started: socks from the airport, the Ballerina jacket, and the Rona Lace shawl that I lost my place on (and no chart to save me!).

I also came home to this:

The cotton I planted in a raised bed in the back yard, was ready for harvest. It seems that they ripen better after a frost, when the leaves have fallen. The closed, frost-bitten bolls turn brown on their stems, and look just like walnuts on a stick. I can tell that squirrels have been fooled. I noticed the remains of a few torn-apart bolls, and white puffs on the grass.

Meanwhile, it was time for another meeting of Warp, Wheel, and Wool club. We had a great turnout, and such a beautiful day, that we were able to spin and knit under the deck.

As always the company was great fun, and the food was unbelievable.

We had a Thanksgiving/fall theme, and everything was there: fresh roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, and sugared cranberries, swiss chard with garlic and olive oil, sweet potatoes, pecan pie, cranberry-nut bread, grapes, green salad, pumpkin muffins, spiced cider, coffee... it was one of those, "it's- your-own-fault-if-you-went-hungry" kind of feast.

So I turn around to see Anna holding up this huge quilt tops that she's made...and then another.

...and then THIS came out.

This is Anna, people! One of our club members first 'met' Anna through this blog, so dear readers, if you haven't met her yet, this is Anna. She quilts, spins, weaves, knits and crochets...and works a farm. What will she do next...?

It's easy to see that this group of friends are all very talented. Robin shows an adorable baby sweater, done in Beatrix Potter characters, while Barb B., who knit the sweater, holds the grandbaby that will be wearing the sweater when it's finished.

Awww....Squirrel 'Nutkin"

Dale shows her weaving, a spectacular garment. She used perle cotton for the project, and it drapes beautifully on her.

Anna displays a woven design in 4-draft overshot.

We had five spinning wheels going, but also Finished Objects of knitting! Sadly, I wasn't a contributor in the FO department. I worked on spinning the aforementioned cotton.

Mary Ann's patience has paid off. She is wearing the Penelope Blouse, an Oat Couture pattern. The yarn is called "Hempathy." What beautiful work, and great color!

For your entertainment! I couldn't possibly feel this way about my husband, after he spent an entire day of vacation time at Rhinebeck, AND walked downtown Northampton for 3 hours while I happily skipped through WEBS. He even bought me chocolate. No trade.

Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival

2009-10-18T07:43:00.025-05:00

We saved Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool festival to be the "cherry on the whipped cream" of our trip. This was truly the peak of fall colors. We had a very cold day, but people were ready with their hand-knit hats, scarves and sweaters. Some of them were returning from the day before. Best of all, it didn't rain as predicted.

As we entered the town, we noticed a backlog of traffic, and sure enough, it was to the entrance of the fairgrounds. There was a sea of cars, and they kept coming in, and so did the buses.

Demonstrations were fun. This man was demonstrating an electric spinning machine.

There were lots of critters wearing beautiful fiber.

This looks like a suri alpaca.

I don't recall what kind of sheep this was, but what a coat it was sporting!

Here, a woman was demonstrating a rug making technique.

Felting is very popular, and this booth was my favorite.

I loved the felted skunks, with their fluffy woolen tails up and ready to fire. Look at them. Are you smiling? I was. The shop owners noticed it, and said that people leave their stand with that same kind of smile.

There were so many people, that it was hard to see the displays. Waiting in line was frustrating at times. I did get to chat with some nice people while standing there, so it wasn't all bad.

There were lots of good deals. Prices were very competitive, and it was hard to make a choice.

This is a beautiful, very productive spinning wheel.

There was lots of inspiration. It was fun to see things already made from the wool being sold.

Another electric spinning wheel.

This was the view from the upstairs part of the barn.

Lovely handwoven scarves are so popular now.

I felt like the proverbial kid in the candy store. I warned my husband he would have to watch me buy yarn in mass quantities. He was very good about it.

I bought yarns and rovings as I thought of things to make. The best deals came from a company called Little Barn (www.littlebarninc.com), that had the best deals on the fairgrounds. The line was long, but worth it. The colors are great, and the wool is nice. This tent was apparently the best kept secret of the event, and those that knew it from previous years, sought it out first. So now we all know.

Still Smiling

2009-10-16T20:27:00.010-05:00

Today we got a chance to explore the main shopping district of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. From talking to visitors at the B&B where we stayed, an actress named Karen Allen has a fiber shop and studio in that area. This was within a few miles of my uncle's house where we were staying.

If you have watched Raiders of the Lost Ark, Karen Allen played Marion Ravenwood.

I had high hopes of meeting her at her studio. We found the shop, which featured Karen's designs of cashmere, silk and high-end clothing. It was a beautiful store.

Very impressive.

When I inquired about the yarn shop, the woman at the counter told me that Karen's studio was private, and not open to the public. I looked at her picture on the brochure in my hand, sighed and said to myself, "Well, Karen, I guess I won't get to meet you today."

It was cold outside today, around 40 degrees. We stepped inside a coffee shop and warmed up. Two women walked out of the coffee shop, and I found myself looking right into the blue-eyed freckled face of none other than Karen Allen!

So what did I do? "Oh, Karen, HI!" It was a knee-jerk response of recognition. Karen looked at me and seemed to be as startled as I was. My husband looked embarrassed.

I introduced myself, saying I was a knitter and spinner too, and that I enjoyed her yarn shop (she noticed that I was still holding the brochure in my hand). I don't remember much about what she said, but I had a smile on my face for the rest of that trip.

Tomorrow is the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool festival. There is a 90% chance of rain, and I have a terrible cold. We're going to go in the morning, so we'll see what kind of pictures I can get from there.

WEBS!

2009-10-16T04:52:00.020-05:00

I'm behind in my postings. I've found that blogging while on vacation is hard to accomplish effectively. Some people are good at it. I couldn't wait to tell you all about my trip to WEBS...so I'm fast forwarding our trip to yesterday's adventure at the yarn shop. Let's step inside.

This is the image that greets you when you open the door. Try to click on the image for a bigger view.

This is the largest yarn shop I have ever been to. Once you walk in the door, prepare to be delighted by the vision of yarn and fiber goodies EVERYWHERE. In spite of that, I was most impressed with how well organized and orderly everything was in the store.

Fondling yarn is what we do. Especially when it's superfine merino, or (gasp) cashmere, which they had plenty of.

So here's the cashmere! I opted for the fine merino in the colors of this shawl, which I decided to make.

When I asked about the shawl pattern, a woman who worked there told me, "that pattern is from a book by Elizabeth Zimmerman." The nice woman went and brought me the book, which was inexpensive, so I put it in my basket.

Then I inquired about the crocheted edging that was on the shawl. "Oh yes," the woman said. "That was an add-on. I'll go get Elizabeth."

Now I don't know much about the famous knitters out there, but I was a little confused. I said, "Elizabeth is HERE?" The woman said, "Yes, she's right over there, I'll go get her for you." I just about fell on the floor. Then a young lady named Elizabeth, who knit the shawl came over and explained how she did the edging.

There was roving and spinning supplies as well. I have too much of that already, so I moved on to the weaving.

I loved looking at the samples that were hanging by what seemed like millions of cones of weaving thread. See the bright blue one hanging there? LOVE LOVE LOVE. So now, I have to make that, too.

I found the nice woman again, and she helped me find the silk in two similar colors, and wound off 1/2 pound of each color. They are very nice about giving you the weaving pattern with the purchase.

This photo doesn't do the pattern justice, but you get the idea.

I also loved this blanket. It would have been a bit much to purchase all the colors for this one, so I picked up the pattern to make one at a later time.

There were lots of good deals, it was making a choice that was hard. THEN my husband tapped me on the shoulder and said, "there's another room in the back of the store that you might want to see." He was referring to the warehouse. I thought I was prepared for the warehouse. Another hour was spent in there. My husband by this time, had gone walking through downtown Northampton, to the candy store and beyond. I on the other hand, was in my own candy store. For three hours.

I found a two pound cone of yummy dark blue rayon chenille that was on sale, from their catalog. Here's a peek at the booty. I think I was very good. Had to be... tomorrow is the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival.

A Mystical Day

2009-10-12T20:02:00.086-05:00

We began our trip in Hartford, Connecticut, where I met with SImone, my best friend from grade school. We haven’t seen each other in 23 years, when she visited St. Louis for my wedding.

I knew she was there first when the wait staff at the restaurant asked me if I was the "23 Years Person."

It was the best time, and a great way to start our vacation.

The next day, we drove into Mystic, Connecticut, to tour the harbor area and the aquarium.

We really enjoyed our day at the Mystic seaport.

This place is rich in history, and there is a lot of information about lobster and oyster fishing, boats, and life on the sea.

I also enjoyed photographing the birds while they were looking for their fish dinners.

Speaking of fish dinners, there was an event going on called “Chowderfest.”. We had our fist taste of New England “chowda.”

The sea lions are always entertaining to watch. We got there in time for feedings of these and the beluga whales.

Indoors, brightly-lit aquariums of other marine life are on display for both young and old.

I got to visit the Mystic River Yarn Shop, which was such a treat to look forward to. They had a good selection of many kinds of yarns and knitting supplies.

I had a hard time deciding what yarn to purchase. This cashmere-silk blend was very tempting. When I accidentally dropped one, my husband reminded me about the Sea Dragon.thought it would be nice to find a yarn in the colors of the sea, to remind me of my trip.

I silently stalked a woman that picked up the last ball of a lovely sea-green Opal sock yarn, and pounced on the yarn seconds after she put it down.

Oh yes, the fun is just beginning!

A Piece of Heaven

2009-10-11T17:09:00.017-05:00

We arrived at Bailey's By The Sea, a beautiful bed and breakfast right off the ocean at Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

This home was originally built in 1847, and has been renovated to the traveler's haven that it is today.

Our favorite place to sit is in the enclosed wrap around porch. You can sit at a table or wicker chair and enjoy a spectacular view of the Atlantic ocean.

We enjoyed a good night's rest, and a wonderful home cooked breakfast. It is elegance with homey comfort.

So far, we've had beautiful weather.

Morning breezes turn into gusty afternoons. The handknit woolen scarves I brought along come in handy and fit right in with the local scene; but our midwestern accents and camera toting gives us away as the tourists that we are.

Our favorite place to sit is in the enclosed wrap around porch. You can sit at a table or wicker chair and enjoy a spectacular view of the Atlantic ocean.

This is the beautiful sunrise we woke up to. We were told that clear mornings are a not-to-be-missed occasion. The sun rises over the ocean as we look out of our room. I got up early, threw on some clothes, and ran across the street, and the day greeted me.

It's hard to blog and vacation at the same time. There are so many pictures I want to share, so I'll continue to post when I can. Next we visit Mystic, Connecticut. We toured the harbor area and Mystic Aquarium. OH, and a yarn shop!

Napkin Notes and other Fiber Adventures

2009-10-08T23:11:00.009-05:00

The whole thing started when I ran out of paper. We expect our kids to let us know where they are going, so it only seemed right for us to do the same for them.

We couldn't find any paper, and there was a paper napkin on the table, so there you have it. Ever since then, napkin notes have been appearing on the table.

We started something. It was quite the fun thing to do, until we ran ourselves out of napkins.

The indigo plants have gotten very tall with all the rain. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll have a chance to process it before the frost takes it out. I have always taken it down and process it in the same day. Has anyone been able to collect the leaves and preserve it for a future time?

Fortunately, the cotton can be picked and used later. I've harvested a few fluffy bolls, but cooler weather is closing in on them.

Last year, I harvested the tightly closed bolls, and set them out in the sun to mature.

There's nothing like the sight of the fluffy white stuff.

OKAY, so guess what? I'm going to visit WEBS and the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival, among other places. Hopefully, I'll have time to blog all along the way. Very soon.

Finally Halfway

2009-08-30T13:37:00.054-05:00

Have you ever worked on your knitting alone, or in a place where you are away from distraction?

Settling down in a favorite corner, I check my favorite knitting blogs. Then the knitting continues.

These days, it's the Ballerina swing jacket by Hanne Falkenberg. I am FINALLY halfway done. (Doesn't that sound funny? Like the goal was to finally get halfway.)

I do plan to complete this, and wear it at the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival (Rhinebeck), but am very quickly running out of time.

There is sooo much garter stitch in this project! What keeps it interesting is the short row shaping and edge stitches. The jacket is worked all in one piece, so it is fun to see the shape and design appear as you work. This is a LOT of knitting, and you just need to think about what you are doing before sitting in front of the TV. Will I finish this project in time for the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival? It's going to be a close race.

Another stop on the trip will be WEBS. This is one of the largest stores for yarn, weaving, and spinning supplies! I need to plan for this trip ahead of time. Have any of you been to WEBS? What would you bring home from there?

Last weekend was the St. Louis Art Fair. The weather was beautiful: sunny with poofy clouds.

Tents lined the streets, with vendors selling their art. Paintings, jewelry, sculptures of glass, metal, recycled items, and much more. I didn't buy anything; the prices were pretty steep. It was fun just the same.

One of the categories of the art fair was Fiber, so I took pictures for you to see some of what was there.

I would have liked to have seen handspun items, but most things were made to sell, so of course sitting with a spinning wheel cranking out yarn would be too time consuming to make selling very cost effective.

The quilts were amazing.

These scarves were nice. I thought this was a creative way of mixing fibers and recycling fabrics.

These items were woven, but I'm not sure if by machine or by hand.

I didn't get a chance to ask, but found it hard to imagine anyone hand-looming all of these.

I just love the colors in these rugs, and their "artsy" appeal.

There were other items that got my attention.

Like this whimsical artwork, entitled, "The Weird Little Guy Inside My Head." This is a dimensional piece, and the little guy is sitting in a niche inside the board.

This sculpture is my favorite of all, by artist Michael Gard.

The figures begin as clay sculptures that have been reproduced in wax.

Single strands of wire are woven around the wax form. Then the wax is melted away, leaving the figures hollow.

These little figures make me smile. They remind me of some kind of toy from my childhood, but I can't quite figure out what that would be.

Some of the bodies were made from recycled tin spice containers. The arms and legs are made of clay for that specific purpose. It was fun to see all the different ones. Some hung from springs and bobbed around.

The food vendors were from wonderful restaurants in the Clayton and St. Louis area.

Taking pictures of your food when you are absolutely starving is a feat in itself. I never had a gelato before, and this was my chance to try some of the real thing.

This banana carmel one didn't last long, but it was heavenly, and I don't regret a single calorie.

There were different bands playing at the fair, but this one was by far my favorite, and I think the best. They played jazz and blues, which really added to the flavor of the fair.

Well, the next event is this weekend: Farm Days, in Festus, MO. I'm going to try to spin some flax, so we'll see how that goes. I'll bring some cotton and other things in case of any problems. Stay tuned...

A Gathering of Friends

2009-08-08T08:49:00.062-05:00

Our last meeting of the Warp, Wheel, and Wool club was a return visit to Wool Gatherings, a fiber shop in Eureka, Missouri.

The shop has lots of fiber and atmosphere. There is a plentiful supply of yarns, roving, and wool for rug making. Kits and lessons are available at the shop, and many examples on display for inspiration.

Joyce came with her daughter and two friends, so we had lots of yarn production going on, with many spinning wheels in action.

Anna brought a rug yarn kit to learn on. Originally, she wasn't happy with the way it looked. It had accidentally been dubbed a scarecrow, although Anna had planned to take it out and start it again, with some tips from the experts at the shop.
Now she is a lot happier with the results.

Barb K. was pleased with the results of her handspun yarn.

Janey always has a great sock project on the needles.

Back at home, purple hands are a good sign that it is blackberry time.
Most of them went into a pie. The rest will go in the freezer for a future cobbler.

I'm also enjoying watching the indigo and cotton plants getting taller. White cotton plants have been blooming already, and if all goes well, I expect a bumper crop this fall. See the indigo plants in the front?

How does your garden grow?

A Bicycle Story

2009-07-17T08:03:00.117-05:00

I know this is a fiber arts blog, but allow me to start with a short bicycle story. You'll be glad it's short.

Once upon a time, a husband and wife took a 27 mile bicycle ride through St. Charles on the dusty Katy Trail.

The husband decided to call their week's series of bike trips the Tour De Fran. In one hand Husband held a camera, as he silently snapped pics of the wife along the route. It was a cool but humid evening, and the sky projected random clouds.

Their 26-mile round trip started on the Katy Trail, to old town St. Charles, and on into New Town, to meet up with the New Town bicycle club.

They started across the street from Beatnik's restaurant. There were about 16 people on this trip. The sky was starting to cloud up, and random raindrops fell.

Each trip the bicycle club has been on so far has had a different destination.

And they all pedaled into old town St. Charles.

This week, they stopped at a place called Rumples Pub and Restaurant.

There, the group gathered on the patio for drinks, snacks, and camaraderie.

The appetizer that Husband and Wife had was very delicious. They had pedaled 17 miles to this point, and ate all the calories back on that it took to get there.

On the way back,the Husband and Wife encountered scenic views of the Missouri River, this time with a more threatening sky.

They had just made it to the car with the bikes when the first raindrops fell, and along with it, lightning and thunder. (A tornado would make this story more interesting, but there weren't any) And they've been enjoying cooler weather ever since.

THE END.

Back at the loom, I was having problems with the waffle weave cloth.

The edges of the warp became tighter than the middle.The right side selvedge thread broke numerous times. I thought it couldn't be fixed in the middle of the project without cutting threads and retying it.

Fortunately Dale helped me fix the problem very easily. Here is what I did:

After weaving 1 inch in plain weave, I opened an even shed (in this case, 1 and 3), and placed a slat. Then I opened an odd shed (2 and 4) and placed a slat. Then I continued weaving. This little trick took up the loose threads in the middle, and I had a an even, firm warp, like I should have had all along!

Next, I bought a serger! It cuts the towels apart and finishes the ends beautifully.

GOOD FIND.

Yarn bowl from Dancing Pig Pottery.

Beautiful hand-thrown pottery.
It's practical art! You put your ball of yarn inside, and the end goes through the curved side. The yarn stays in the bowl, and doesn't roll around on the floor. I love the artistic touches on this bowl.

That's it for now. Next post, I'll have some finished knitting to show you. Also, the Warp-Wool- Wheel club meeting at Wool Gatherings shop. Until next time.

Summertime

2009-06-29T13:24:00.064-05:00

Happy Birthday to my dear friend Anna, who turned the big 5-0. Along with her family, came the Warp, Wheel and Wool friends, to share in the celebration.

It was originally planned to be a surprise, but it's hard to surprise someone when you're having a huge party at their house. We discovered that Anna knew about it, with 2 week's notice.

I was looking for a good wine at World Market, and discovered Black Sheep wine (Anna has sheep on her farm) that seemed appropriate.

Then my husband happened to find this selection that was an even better find. I still can't get over it!

There was a lot of good barbeque: hamburgers, bratwurst, pork steak, ham, potato salad, fruit salad, and much more.

Anna's daughter made a very impressive "Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding." It was so wonderful, and very elegant looking.
This was so amazing, and I didn't get a picture of it, but you can see it here:
http://www.pauladeen.com/recipe_view/521

Anna showed us a gorgeous red chenille scarf that she had woven. It got passed around for handling, praise, and exclamations of delight. The softness, drape, and COLOR of this piece is just incredible.

Look at these photos and see for yourself! Click on them to make them bigger.

Oh yeah, now I have to make one, thanks a LOT, Anna!

When Anna took out this beautiful quilt she pieced, the light shone through it like stained glass, and it took our breath away.

Anna is working on another beautiful quilt. Fifty years and she doesn't show any signs of slowing down.

The next day, my husband and I decided to take to the Katy Trail for another long ride.

This ride will take us to old town St. Charles, and then on to New Town.

There are a lot of scenic views along the way.

This view is my personal favorite.
I don't mind riding behind my hubby.
Early morning, or early evening are my favorite times to bike. This was an evening ride.

New Town is very different from any place I have ever been. So many unique features in this active community.

One thing that always gets my attention is the organic farm.

This is a working windmill.

It pumps water into a small pond, as you can see in the next photo. There are greenhouses, crop fields, and animals roaming around.

Here you really do have to wonder why the chickens cross the road.

People driving by have to watch for chickens because they are roaming free and get past the fence. It's fun to see them clucking and milling around.
You also have to watch your step as you walk. The chickens get out of the way, but what they leave behind gets on your shoes.

Our destination in New Town was this charming ice cream shop. You get it at the counter, and then eat outside at little tables, cafe style.

Better to take a picture of something this pretty. It was amazingly delicious.

As dusk quickly approached, we headed home, and spotted some deer in a field. They were curious about us, and didn't hang around long. I'm sure they felt somewhat protected behind the barbed fence.

The ride back went quickly, as we finished a 26 mile trip.

I know I've said this before, but promise more knitting and weaving will be happening in the next post.

There are good people out there

2009-06-17T11:48:00.024-05:00

I've learned after being stuck twice this week with the car, that there are good people out there who will offer to help a stranger.

On Monday, while running an errand for work, my car broke down on a stretch of ramp off a busy interstate. An entire load of antifreeze had spilled out in a green river. White smoke billowed out from under the right side of the hood. I pulled over as much as I could, and traffic slowly passed around me. While waiting for police assistance, there were people offering to help.

Although I appreciated it greatly, anxiety clouded out their images, as I tried to evaluate the situation and how I was going to get out of there. Eventually, help arrived and immediate issues were resolved.

I remember thanking these people for their kind offers of assistance, although my help was already on the way. Chances are good that they will never see this little piece of blogosphere, so maybe each of you can help someone out when you get the opportunity, however big or small.

So here's to:

...the smiling girls who asked if I needed help, holding a cell phone from their window for me to use if needed

...the other two people who asked if they could help me on their way by

...the police officer who stayed with my car until the tow truck came for it

...the man who offered to look at my car when it all happened again a second time

After what we thought had been repaired, it all happened again the next day. I am now sitting in a Subway sandwich shop, frustrated with my car as it sits in the shopping center parking lot, and alongside of it, the familiar stream of green liquid.

...and last, because this one's not a stranger, but a hero nonetheless...my husband, who had to drop everything on two occasions to leave work, recover wife and vehicle, and work on the car. All will be well, eventually. I'm also thankful for the cell phone, computer, and especially the knitting that accompanied me.

On a brighter note, my latest project is the Hexagon Scarf, by designer Robyn Diliberto. This was easy and fun to make. The pattern is a great deal for $2.50.

I used sock yarn "Zauberball" color number 1564. I love this yarn! The colors are lively and the yarn is soft and easy to knit with. One ball (500g) was enough to complete the scarf.

That's it for now. I happen to be getting a lot of knitting done these days. You'll see more of it next post.

Warps, Wheels, and Wools

2009-05-30T08:13:00.134-05:00

It was time for another meeting of Warp, Wheel, and Wool. This time, we met at Barb B's house.

There are sprinkles of whimsy in Barb's home decor, and this sheep got my attention right away.

...as did the charming mix of Italian country, and cooking smells of an authentic Italian kitchen that takes me back to the early days of childhood.

I'll start with the food, which was a wonderful spread of Greek dishes, including lamb kabobs, goat cheeses, (including chocolate goat cheese), several mixed salads, fruit, baklava, delicious rhubarb cake, gooey butter chocolate cake, and more.

We couldn't help but notice this bottle of Merlot in the kitchen.

We gathered in the dining room, and there was a lot of catching up and assorted conversation.

Then we settled into our projects.

Barb B. is working on making thread from a "silk bell."

We always are talking about our UFO's (unfinished objects). Anna had something very interesting to share with us. I think she wins the award for Oldest UFO.

"I started this vest for my mother when I was back in like 8th grade (crochet and totally wrong size too - as my mother is not even 5ft tall and this is a LARGE vest (even back then I didn't believe in swatching). So around 1974 is what I am thinking.

She moves out in April and pulls this out of one of the boxes and says - Anna, can you please finish this? I about dropped on the floor.

She did find someone to finish a small piece I left undone, and wants me to [now] finish a cord so she can actually wear it - only 35 years later. Of course it's TG&Y (dime store in San Jose) ACRYLIC..."
Mary Ann was working on what she called the "Never Ending Blanket."

She says that as much as she works on it, it never seems to get very far along. I think we can all relate to those kind of projects!

Since this loom sat for a month on my dining room table (looking so intimidating), I had planned to wait until the meeting, and have help getting started.
Fortunately, Mary Ann was willing to get me going on it.

Back home to more complex weaving, I dressed the table loom, and got started on some dish towels.

You might recognize the "waffle weave" design.
The texture and raised threads in the pattern create air space which helps to make the towels so absorbent.

I am using 8/2 cotton thread. The design comes from the March/April 2002 of Handwoven.

Have you been enjoying the late spring weather? Although we have gotten a lot of rain, we did get a decent batch of strawberries this year.

...and some beautiful spring flowers.

Pleasant Surprises

2009-05-18T12:18:00.110-05:00

Sunday was such a pretty day, and the boys had their own plans out. So my husband and I decided to venture out on our bicycles, riding the Katy Trail to the old town district of St. Charles.

This is what we found.

We parked our bikes and walked around. What we saw was an encampment, and demonstrations from the 1806 time period.

There was only one spinner there. She was working on a blend of Merino and Border Leicester wool.
Several people were standing around to talk to her.

Most of the conversation hovered around the time it takes to spin wool into yarn, and how much it would cost to compensate for the workmanship and time.

Covering the cost of time and labor is the lament of many artisans...which is why we do these things for ourselves and as heirlooms for our families. It is our hope that the gifts we give of our time and talents are appreciated by those who are lucky to receive them.

This piece shows off a technique called float weaving. The pattern is "Joshua Star. Click on the pictures for better views.
I have never seen these patterns before, and don't know if these designs were made on the loom, or sewn on afterward.

Naturally, the folks at the booths were busy, and we were just passing through, so I didn't get the opportunity to ask questions.

There were a lot of demonstrations of things I haven't seen before at any other festival. This man was making a bucket out of wood.

This girl was carving designs and words into wood, using a special piece of wood-burning glass. They were selling the glass there.

The bright spot that you see on the wood was smoking. They were selling the round glass pieces. It reminded me when I was a kid, and we used to burn things with our magnifying glasses. (Yeah, mom, we did that in the back yard)
There was a lady there, making felt.
She was rolling it out and showing people wooden forms that are used to shape the hats.

These shoes are interesting, but I can't imagine anyone wearing them. Unless one happens to be an elf.

This woman was using fabric to decorate hats.

The Voyageur Ancient Drum and Fife Corps was there to provide the music.

We got to watch them practice on the pavilion steps...

...which was before the parade.
We were eating lunch outside as it went by on Main Street. It was an unexpected surprise.

After lunch, we stopped at my favorite yarn store, Knit and Caboodle, also on Main Street. I ordered some wool for a coat that I want to make for this year's trip to Rhinebeck. More about that later!

We stopped at the sweet shop and bought a brick of fudge to snack on later.
Then, back on our bikes. The best part of all, was the detour we took off the Katy Trail, going to Creve Coeur Park. I wasn't prepared for the very steep hills that it took to get to the bridge, but it was SO worth it.

At the top of the hill, spanned the Veteran's Memorial Bridge (also known as the Page Avenue Extension) going over the Missouri River.

The view from here is spectacular. This section is especially for for bikers and hikers.

Every time I tried to take pictures of the river, I got some lovely chain link fence.
My tall husband took the camera, and raised it up and over the fence.

So here's the view you get when you have long legs and arms:

A view of the trail on the downhill side.

The ride down the hill was a blast!

I would ride up steep hills for this.

Walking With Ariel, Down on the Farm

2009-05-08T00:36:00.058-05:00

I recently finished a pair of really amazing socks, from a pattern called "Ariel," by Robyn Diliberto. You can find the pattern here.

These were so much fun to knit, that I am thinking about making another pair,

...only I'd make them two at a time, so the second sock gets done sometime during the span of my life.

Don't get me wrong, the pattern works up very quickly... but you have to actually do the knitting. It's so typical of me to work on multiple projects and not get any of them finished.

These are such a treat to wear, and are so cute. I like the way the rib pattern flows around the foot and on up the ankle.

Ariel knits up extra special with Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn; the color name is "Cool."

Lately, I decided to try a bit of sewing. The Emmeline apron got my attention, and I ordered the pattern here. Since I am fairly new to sewing, Barb assisted me. Here she models the one she made for a friend's shower gift.

The apron is feminine, stylish, and reversible. It's like having two aprons! It wasn't hard to make at all. (In the second picture, the strap got caught around my collar, but it normally falls to the back.)

All in all, it took us about 8 hours from start to finish...but that included coffee breaks, good conversation, and of course, there was chocolate.

I could be twins?

I took a ride to visit my friend, Fran, at Stotler Farm. I like to bring the camera along, because the animals and scenery there are so amazing.

There is quite a menagerie of characters, and each time, I find a new favorite. This little fellow got my attention as the cutest creature. A little Finn lamb called Tim.

The bottle-fed lamb follows Fran everywhere.
What really got my attention was when Fran called for Tim.
It was just like calling a small child.

Tim answered each of Fran's calls with a call back. Then, from a hidden spot across the pasture, he suddenly popped into sight and bobbled over to her.

This goat is living proof that the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence!

Umber guards whatever she thinks needs guarding, even if it is an empty yard, or a couple of chickens. Her dense coat is ever so beautiful in the sun.

Yes, this is a camel. Ali is so friendly, that he is misunderstood among the creatures of his barnyard.
He doesn't seem to realize how intimidating he is to the other animals. Just ask the horses!

'Al' loves attention and will nuzzle up to you, which is really sweet, if you can take a bit of drool.

I enjoyed watching the chickens roam around, looking for bugs. Farm fresh eggs are so delicious, and the chickens did their part to contribute to the wonderful quiche Fran made for lunch.

Aside from the tour of the farm and the animal personalities, I really enjoyed my visit with Fran.
There really is not much better than a visit with a good friend, and what can be more lovely than springtime on the farm?

I Love Bunnies in the Springtime

2009-04-07T16:30:00.004-05:00

There's something about Angora fuzz.
Little bits of fluff that stick in the grass after grooming. Like the anticipation of Easter, it holds the promise of something wonderful to come.

I see the fluffies and imagine the possibilities of lovely handspun yarns and blends.

When Carolyn asked if I was going to the Midwest Trailblazers Rabbit Club Show, I agreed that it was time to make the trip.

The Mid America Angora Club was participating, and although I didn't bring a bunny to show, it was fun meeting up with all the "bunny people" and some good friends.

There were rabbits of all kinds, everywhere in the main building.

I always visit the black and white ones because of their color, and photogenic qualities. They looked a lot like the kind of meat rabbits that my husband's uncles raised on their farms.

This was just a diversion from the goings on with the Angora competition, so let's go on over there.

Judges are very meticulous when they look at a bunny. They look at body type, eyes, ears, teeth, virtually all parts of the rabbit.

They look for mites, disease, and any imperfection in form. Fur mites tend to reside in the ears of rabbits. Experienced breeders treat their bunnies for mites before bringing them to the show table.

Margaret Bartold is very experienced at raising and showing English Angora rabbits. Here she is blowing out the coat. This process removes dander and dust, and fluffs out the wool.

Here, she grooms the rabbit before it goes to the judging table.

The bun resembles a giant puff ball, and the creature inside the puff is really very tiny in comparison.

The coat is a lot longer for show than what most people that grow them for fiber only would consider. This is mostly because of the problems associated with wool block, matting, and upkeep.

The end result is a beautifully groomed bunny, ready for the show table.

This is a 14-month old English Angora called Carmelite.
The beauty and color of her coat comes from heritage in breeding, and care in health management. I thought that Carmelite tolerated being fussed over rather well. Isn't she spectacular?

It is important to note that angora rabbits should not be used as "Easter bunnies." They are high maintenance animals and not to be considered for small children. Haircuts must be done every 3 to 4 months throughout it's 5-8 year lifetime, and wool block issues can lead to death if one is not familiar with the symptoms and treatments (and even if one is).

Carolyn has a way with the bunnies, and all creatures. She seems to cast a spell over the animals, and I've even witnessed one of her rabbits run over to her when called.

So no surprise to see both Carolyn and the bun enjoying their time together.
Having raised a multitude of angoras for many years, and in the process of downsizing her bunny family, she had to repeat to herself, "I will not come home with a bunny..." yet her face seemed to be saying, "I'll take you home in a New York minute!"

A group of us got some spinning done as well, and I enjoyed their company immensely.

This little one is getting groomed. He is just a baby.

I could have easily brought him home, and it was hard to leave him behind, but there are three at home already and I had to borrow Carolyn's mantra.

There's something about this face.

Time for Weaving

2009-03-11T17:04:00.024-05:00

FINALLY....

I decided to get some weaving started, as I have my heart set on waffle-weave dishtowels, and also, a scarf from some Lion Suede that was on sale a few weeks ago. I don't use Lion Brand much, but the Suede has a cozy feel to it.

The towels are going to present a challenge. 351 threads to wind on, and taking my time about it.

I've been doing scarves for so long, that the quantity of threads seems so daunting. But the colors are ocean-like, and I'm so looking forward to the moment when the texture magically appears in the weaving.

The scarf on the other loom, is simply plain weave--but with alternating rows of color in the weft: 2 dark, 1 red, 2 dark, 2 red, repeat. I'm noticing with plain weave, most of the color is showing up in the weft.

I really want to get this done before the weather gets too nice. I'll still be weaving, but it's hard when there are daffodils welcoming spring outside your window.

Let the housework wait.

"Knitting is Awesome"

2009-03-03T08:05:00.078-06:00

We uncovered a birthday at our last meeting of Warp, Wool, and Wheel. A brand-new knitter was born when a ten-year-old girl named Jamie came to visit, and I think we made a lasting impression with her. Auntie Robin showed her how to knit, and she really got into it.

After the meeting, as Robin describes it, she was promptly taken to the nearest Michael's, for "new yarn, new needles, and a knitting magazine for inspiration."

"Knitting is awesome!" "The coolest thing ever!" Jamie exclaimed.
I'm very sure we all feel the same way.

We set up at Barb K's house. Granddaughter Kelsey got to try different things that we were doing.

Kelsey was fascinated with the fluffy angora fiber, and spent some time blending it with indigo-dyed wool on the carding machine. She caught on quickly, and asked lots of questions. Like, "Why is it called angora?"

All the while, Barb K. was spinning a merino/alpaca/silk blend that turned out to be very soft and luxurious.

Mary Ann brought a beautiful inkle loom with her, so she could show us how it works.

Here she is demonstrating it. She used mercerized 5/2 'perle' cotton thread, on what might eventually become a strap or belt.

Jamie enjoyed weaving on the inkle loom. I think both girls got to try a little bit of everything.

Robyn was working on a sweater, using Optimum DK yarn from Southwest Trading Company.

With exception to my poor attempt at photography, Robin M. looks like she could be a model for a magazine. Robin showed us this Collared Wrap, that came from Sally Melville's book, "The Purl Stitch." Robin used a Debbie Bliss wool/silk blend. I know you can't see the detail very well, but trust me, it is gorgeous.

I was spinning some white angora wool from Snow Belle, my ruby-eyed white angora rabbit.

Have you met Snow Belle yet?

Well then, let me introduce you.

She says it's nice to meet you...but first she wanted a treat.

Although Snow Belle stayed home (except for her wool), Barb's dog, Vern, seemed to be unimpressed with it all... especially after everyone finished petting him.

There are perks to having fiber friends for company. He got to taste some bunny fluff that fell from my basket. (Good thing I didn't bring Snow Belle after all)!

When the real food came out, Vern's interest returned. But then Robin was busted for feeding Vern bits from the table, and he was banned from the scene. (slightly embellished version)

We came up with a Cajun theme, for the recent Mardi-Gras holiday. Mary Ann brought a muffaletta, Robyn brought Gumbo, and there was also Shrimp Creole, chips, salsa, and some really delicious muffins for dessert.

We all wanted recipes. Robyn's gumbo recipe is from the January 2009 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine. It was amazing, and I went back for more three times.

Here is Mary Ann's version of Muffaletta:

Olive salad 1 cup chopped "regular" pimiento stuffed green olives 1 cup of chopped kalamata, or similar brined black olive 3/4 cup chopped roasted red peppers 4 minced garlic cloves A few tablespoons white wine vinegar - 2 or so A handful or two of chopped parsley A few tablespoons of olive oil. A loaf of bread of your choosing - recipe calls for sourdough. As long as it's sturdy enough to stand up to the somewhat oily olive salad and being squashed for a while, it will be fine. Approx 6 oz each of thin sliced salami, hot coppacola and provolone.

Split the bread horizontally, and dig out some of the middle on both halves. Put the olive salad on both sides, and then layer the meat and cheese. Assemble it, wrap it in foil, squash it with whatever you have handy for a few hours. I use a frying pan with a phone book in it.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!!

Hearts, Hearts

2009-02-14T08:26:00.056-06:00

Here is what I found this morning, as I walked into the kitchen, left for me by my husband.
After 22 years of marriage, I was wondering if Valentine's Day gets to be something that means more to younger people. It's just a day, after all.
But a loving relationship grows with each year, each day, each moment. Sometimes you don't even notice it, because it's always there.

Heart themes bring out the fun of Valentine's Day, and the coming of spring.

I found this cup on sale and found inspiration in it.
...can you see a quilt, or felted squares?

How about using these color combinations for knitting projects?
Of course, if you see it as just a fun coffee cup, that's okay too.

I made these heart stitch-markers for the occasion.

My latest knitting project is Heart Mittens.

It didn't take me long to learn double-stranded knitting (thanks to Barb), and before long, I had the hang of it.
I knew all along, they wouldn't be done in time for Valentine's Day. Instead, I've dubbed them "my February project."

They are what we like: fun, and quick knitting.

I'm using Lion Brand worsted wool, and started out with size 3 dpn for the cuff, then changed over to size 7 for the hand.

I hope you have a happy Valentine's Day. Give someone you care about a hug, and call someone you haven't spoken to in a long time. I found this amazing video this morning that is appropriate for today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QVQSZA9zSk

In the meantime, I'm going to put some coffee in that heart mug, think of all the people I love and appreciate,

...and have some chocolate for breakfast.

Inspiration Scarf

2009-01-28T08:09:00.041-06:00

The idea for this scarf came to me, of all places, in church.
A woman sitting in front of me was wearing a red and black houndstooth check scarf.

Although the pattern on her scarf was slightly more jagged-looking, I thought that a pink and black houndstooth scarf would be striking against a black coat, or my barn jacket. So while waiting for mass to start, I thought about my next weaving project.

After church, I said to my husband, "Remember that lady in front of us with the red and black checked scarf?" He didn't know who I was referring to. Perhaps it was only obvious to me. What can I say? Inspiration comes in many ways.

The first 6 weft shots revealed the pattern for the first time, and it really was a WOW moment.

It's always exciting to take a completed work off the loom; but there's a really big thrill that awaits in the anticipation of what is to come.

The yarn used was Cascade Yarn 100% baby alpaca chunky (pink), and Reynolds Andean Alpaca Regal (black). I was looking for something soft, with a bit more drape than wool, so baby alpaca sounded perfect.

I used an 8 shaft pinwheel pattern, from a book called The Pinwheel: an Exploration in Color-and-Weave Design.

In my adult life, I never cared for pink, but have recently discovered that it's really a great contrast to blacks and browns. Why not try it in a scarf, and here it is, the INSPIRATION scarf.

I think I will wear it to church.