Posted in Knitting

I BRANCHED OUT!

Branching out scarf

I really enjoyed making this Branching Out lace scarf from the Knitty site. I bought this yarn months and months ago from a local spinner at Stonehedge Farm and Fiber Mill simply because it begged me to buy it. I wasn’t sure what I was going to make with it, but when I finally felt ready to tackle another lace project, there it was. I’m so happy with how it turned out, even with the mistakes. And it washed and blocked beautifully! While it did take a really long time, it’s only because I had to do it with careful thought, which meant no tv, no conversation, just concentration, one row at a time. But it was worth it.

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized

No, I didn’t fall off the face of the earth.

All righty, then. Seems I’ve been missed. Hard for me to believe, even if only one person missed me. But you, my loyal reader, have been heard.

It’s Thursday. I know it’s Thursday because I had my ‘BIG NIGHT OUT’ with my fellow Red Hatters at our annual Christmas get-together. What a lovely way to spend an evening. Of course, getting there was a challenge because I had to bring a gift to pass. Seems like that shouldn’t be that big a deal seeing as it is the gift-buying season. So, okay. I had the gift. But before I could leave, I had to wrap it. With a bow. Ever try finding a nice Christmas bow in a Michigan basement? A bow that doesn’t reek of kitty litter and carry extra strings of webbing? Our basement is about five blocks high. Maybe six. It’s maybe 12-foot square, and it holds — get this — our furnace, humidifier, water heater, cat box and bed, leftover paint cans, vintage luggage (I say “vintage” because I can hardly recognize it for the dust), wrapping paper, Easter baskets, and various other sundries covered with dust and webs. Suffice it to say, it ain’t pretty.

But I digress.

Finding a lovely bow turned out to be the easy part. Getting the gift wrapped while trying to give my unplanned guest the hint that I was in a hurry to leave was challenged only by my cell phone ringing quickly followed by my home phone ringing. I was pretty popular around 5:15 this evening. Even my normally aloof cat was rubbing against my leg insisting I feed her yet again this week.

Waving my guest away with the wish for a safe drive, I ran up the stairs to find something “Christmas-y” to wear and put my eyebrows back on. (I won’t even mention the phone call from the gal to whose home I was headed asking me, “Is the party tonight?” She’s in way worse shape than me.) I grabbed my red hat, bounded down the stairs, headed for the door, remembering at the last minute I might want to bring that gift I wrapped. Oh, and my coat. I threw my gift in a bag along with my purse, loaded my arm with three more little bags of things I needed to bring, and then headed again for the door, only to stop short realizing I had to move the wet jeans from the washer to the dryer. Heaven forbid I put down the bags.

Finally getting myself into the car, I remembered my camera, ran back into the house to retrieve it, slammed a couple doors on my way out, and breathed a HUGH sigh of relief that I could DO NOTHING for a couple hours.

More later.

Posted in Knitting

Sa-WEEEEEET!

before and after

side by side clogs

Well, HO HO HO! I finished both clogs, and I only felted one because I LOVE looking at these things! Aren’t they fun?!? While making them was a real bugger on my fingers (that bumper and double yarns are tough!), I really like how it turned out after felting. Wish I’d started some of these earlier, because they definitely would have made great Christmas presents.

Posted in Knitting

FINALLY! A CLOG! (almost)

Clog side

Thanks to wonderful Wendy, I finally was able to figure out the bottom of this felted clog from the FiberTrends pattern of the same name. Now I have to make another one, but it’ll be iffy because I didn’t buy the correct yarn amounts. The closest place to get it is 25 miles away, and we’re having a bit of ‘weather’ right now. I’m real eager to see how they feel — I mean felt. smiley duh LOL!

Posted in Knitting

A COUPLE FO’S

Blue mitts

Long mitts

Here’s a couple pair of fingerless mitts. The blue ones were made in the lovely RY Cashsoft DK I received from my SecretPal. The others are done with some remaining Plymouth Encore Colorspun. These are quick knits and fun to make. Wouldn’t they be great for marching bands? If only I could make hundreds!! I’m still working on other Christmas gifts and a HUMOUNGUS project I’ll share later. Exciting stuff in the new year, that’s for sure!!!

Posted in Knitting

IT’S FINISHED!

Meg’s Wallaby

Well, let’s see. When did I start this? I know it’s been a couple of months. But it’s finally finished, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. The fact that it FITS her is such a plus! LOL! This is my fourth Wallaby, and definitely the largest so far. While I’m not keen on the white ‘stripe’ made from the Plymouth Encore Colorspun, I do love this pattern!

 

Posted in Knitting

BRANCHING OUT. . . . REALLY!

I used to hate doing lace. I’ve tried it several times with no luck. Actually, the Cocoon vest is a lace-like pattern, and that went okay. Sort of. Well, eventually. But the vest is way too big for me, so while I wear it occasionally around the house, it was an expensive learning tool.

Then I tried other, lacier-type pattern, but turns out I kept trying to improvise with the wrong tools; i.e., really slippery Addi’s with really soft and slippery Debbie Bliss Cashmerino.  Eventually I’ll figure out what to do with that yarn!

Leafy scarf halfway

But now I’m in the middle of this Branching Out scarf from Knitty. I’m actually enjoying it. I do two or three pattern repeats a day, and after each and every set I put a lifeline! There’s a reason they call it a lifeline.

This is being made with some beautiful Shepherd’s Worsted from a local spinner. I love the color. So does my mother, who happened to see it the other day when she popped in unexpectedly and spoiled her surprise. That’s okay. She said it was beautiful before she knew it was for her.

Posted in Knitting

FO FOR A SGT

knitted helmet liner

I finally finished this knitted helmet to send to my hero-nephew for his second stint in Iraq. I was reading how the nights are so cold there in the desert. I wish I could knit a dozen of them for his men! This was done with just one ball of Lion Brand Wool Ease.  And here’s the pattern for this Knitted Wool Helmet Liner.  Quick and easy and a great way to support our troops.