Saturday, December 27, 2008
guilt free knitting!
mele kalikimaka!!!
i've just returned from my annual soiree to the islands! and it was one, hell of a way to miss the biggest snowstorm in history! i did see it on the news everyday and i did feel your pain even though i was basking in 80 degree weather! well, yes, someone has to do it!!
and so...on to the knitting! and first off i must say, i have finally learned my lesson about not completing a pair of socks in a timely manner! i.e. knitting one, setting it aside, and waiting a year to finish its mate! does not bode well! my brain just cannot handle it anymore! it is really a bummer when you have to frog because you weren't using the same size needle as the pattern called for but you forgot to note your change!
however, i am happy to report that at long (and i mean long) last all of my single socks now have a partner! yippee! and i will not, and i repeat, let single socks live alone anymore!! i promise, i promise, i promise! gosh, i see a new year's resolution in the making!!
keep on knitting in the free world!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
over the moon!
Monday, December 8, 2008
tres chic!!!
supplies: worsted weight yarn (great stash buster as it doesn't take too terribly much - you can get several out of a skein of brown sheep!); size 7 or 8 circular needles - 16 inch length (i am a loosey goosey knitter so i've opted for the smaller size!); stitch marker.
directions: cast on 100 stitches and join for knitting in the round (be careful not to twist your stitches or you'll find yourself in a world of hurt and froggin'!! argh!!). place stitch marker at beginning of round and k2 p2 for 3 1/2 to 4 inches. bind off and work in ends. could it be any simpler than that? i mean, really, a great beginner project with immediate results - a great ego booster!
rosette: i make two of these.
cast on 112 stitches.
row 1: knit to end.
row 2: k2, *k1, slip this stitch back onto left hand needle, lift the next 8 stitches on left hand needle over this stitch and off needle, knit the first stitch again, k2; repeat from *a total of 10 times.
row 3: knit 24 stitches, *wrap next stitch, turn work.
row 4: knit 24 stitches to end of row.
row 5: knit 16 stitches, wrap next stitch, turn work.
row 6: knit 16 stitches to end of row.
row 7: knit 8 stitches, wrap next stitch, turn work.
row 8: knit 8 stitches to end of row.
cut yarn and thread this yarn through stitches on needle, pull tightly (or looser to create desired size) to create a rosette, secure with a few stitches. make a french knot in center of rosette. the second rosette should be stretched out more to surround the first rosette and secured to first rosette. secure the completed rosette to the headband (i put it over the area where i worked in my ends) stitching it at several locations so it is well secured and doesn't flop around and voila! you have created a work of art that is oh, so, tres chic!! ho, ho, ho!
Friday, December 5, 2008
my vote for sock kal!
in her dyer's notes, tina was chatting about sock patterns that would be great for sock kals. she mentioned patterns such as cookie a's 'monkey' and grumperina's 'jaywalker'. this got me thinking about what my choice would be so i am nominating this dandy little number - 'hepsi's sock'. i found this pattern on ravelry.com. it was designed by heli heikkila, who hails from finland, the land of reindeer (fitting for this time of year with santa and all!).
it is a four row pattern that really only has any action on row 1, so any feeble minded person can pretty much memorize it rather quickly (i managed!). it is pretty easy to maneuver through the english translation. god bless those people who speak a foreign tongue and have english as a second language - sometimes the sentence structure leaves a bit to be desired but, hey, at least they know a second language which is more than i can say for myself! and according to friends, my sentence structure also leaves a bit to be desired!
the greatest thing about this pattern is that you can choose to do your own heel thing! yahoo, that works for me as i am currently having a love affair with the short row heel. it is a real slammer, once you get the hang of it - wham, bam, thank you, mam! done in no time at all! i know what you skeptics will say, it probably won't wear as well as the standard, government issue, gusset heel but, hey, if it wears out, i'll just have to knit a new pair, it's not like i don't have any extra yarn on hand!!! :-)
once i complete the yellow pair, i am on to holiday knitting. i've decided to knit cowls for friends and relatives. i found a number of fun and challenging freebies in the pattern section of ravelry so i'm dying to begin. and besides, i think i'll design a pattern of my own!! happy knitting!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
where it all began!
voila! soap that has a wonderful aroma and good lather that takes you to infinity and beyond!
Friday, November 14, 2008
never felt better!
after putting the hit on my friends for the use of their top loaders, i stumbled upon the wanda at one of the lys, swishing a felted hat. eureka! i had hit the mother lode! i couldn't get home fast enough and hit the net to order one of these for myself! and i'm mighty glad i did as it works like a charm - a couple of 15 minute rounds and voila, felting ecstasy!
turned the dial to 15 minutes and let 'er rip!
and here is the bag agitating, like a whirling dervish!
after a couple of go rounds - tada, the felted bag stuffed with plastic bags (thank goodness i haven't recycled them lately but, my, oh my, they seem to multiple way too easily!). the pattern recommended a dandy set of handles. i googled the brand listed and was astonished to find that they were pushin' $40 a pair!! ouch! so, i think i'll check out the goodwill for a handbag and recycle and reuse an old set!
a win-win all the way around! using up some stash while creating a new project bag! and above all, getting to play with wanda again!! :-)
Sunday, November 9, 2008
mission accomplished!
Number 2 is the february lady's sweater. the pattern is available on ravelry - well written and a fast and easy knit - again, miles of garter stitch in the top area but a fun and simple lace pattern for the body and sleeves. The absolute best bargain with this little number is the lack of seaming since it is a knit in one piece from the neck down! blessings to ez for originally designing this one!
it is knit out of a gorgeous tweed in blues/greens from plymouth. i was forced to make two trips to foothills yarn and fiber in the beautiful hood river valley to get an adequate amount of yarn to finish the sweater. it really was a tough assignment! especially the parts when i was forced to fondle beautiful new alpaca yarn!
Number 3 is 'juliet' from zepher style. i used ggh 'aspen' yarn that i snagged at the abundant yarn and dyeworks end of summer soiree. another fast knit since the yarn is a bulky number. and, once again, another visit to the land of the garter stitch and, of course, knit from the top down so no seams to sew! can't beat that!! the sweater seems to be a hit as i've experienced a lot of swooning!
so, what's next you ask? actually, whether you ask or not, i'll tell! it's time to begin my yearly adventure in soap making. so...out comes the oils, lye and delightful essential oil aromas. let the wild rumpus begin! until next time...bubble, bubble, toil and trouble!
Friday, November 7, 2008
it's in the bag!
it's been a looooooong time comin'. i picked up this fabric at fibers in motion in multnomah village so many months ago. it spoke to me! not the least bit surprising to me with the fabulous rich color combo! the fabric is from the designer series called 'jane's hothouse garden' by jane sassaman for westminster fibers. if you have never seen a quilt by jane, give her a google - when you've seen one, you'll never forget her and her style and use of color!! va-va-voom!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
prolific!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
it's a wrap!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
it really is here!
i'm always a tad bit melancholy when i realize that summer has come to an end - ya know, you can just tell when summer is over - there is just something in the air - one day, its summer and then you can just smell fall! it takes me a few weeks to overcome my sadness but then, somewhere around the middle of october, all the wonderful colors of fall foliage break loose and, voila, autumn has arrived!! i love, love, love the colors of fall - the yellows, reds and oranges - i just can't get enough!
as i was out in the garden yesterday taking a few pics, for a fleeting moment, i actually thought that maybe i like fall in the garden better than any other season. i guess that could be heresy in some gardening circles since flowers are generally the rule. for me, its the foliage!!
and what's the tie to knitting? i am currently wrapping up a sweater for my niece's birthday in a nice gray wool (her color choice). i usually love this color but right now i am finding it sooooo boring! my fingers are just twitching to wrap themselves in some wonderful shades of fall but first things, first - i have got to finish this sweater! darn!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
meet some of my new friends
these are some of the folks i met at the OFFF the last weekend in september. the bottom young lady is a pygora goat. they were featured at the festival this year because they are known for their fabulous fiber. so cute!!!!! i could see several of these cuties gallivanting around the property! and the bonus would be some great fiber once a year for knitting!
speaking of the OFFF, it was a fabulously fantastic affair! lots of great people and tons of great fibers! i literally shopped until i dropped! i made several trips to the car to lighten my load! met some great knitters and spinners - shared a picnic table with some gals from yakima who had shopped their way to OFFF through the columbia gorge - tough job - they were forced to stop at knot another hat! in hood river (i love it when i am forced to stop there! it is always such a tough assignment[not]). i also joined the blue moon fiber clan for a little knittin' time under the trees!
the weather was wonderful - a perfect in every way oregon autumn day - sunny with just right temperatures! a true "10"! i would recommend that one DEFINITELY mark their calendar NOW for next year's event! it is one not to miss IMHO!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
the sock is rockin'
wow, this is like some kind of miracle! especially since i have had several other projects on my radar screen as well as the stock market tank and the impending election scare.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DIc8jdra0o - these people have stolen my idea! if team mccain/palin should somehow turn the entire country into a group of zombies and win the election - i have vowed to move to canada! be afraid, be very afraid and be careful of the koolaid you drink - you never really know what kind of tricks those republicans have up their sleeves, especially since they are not knitted ones!
i regret that i haven't had any new pics to post but i haven't had a willing victim to take pictures of my new knits. but i will say that i have had lots of nice complements and that is always a great 'pick me up'.
until next time, keep on knittin' in the free world!! and...vote obama!
Monday, October 6, 2008
what's with the garter?
i didn't really realize it but it seems that i've been consumed with it of late!
the last three sweaters i've had or have on my needles all contain varying amounts of this oh, so, humble of stitches! as a matter of fact, one sweater was nothing but!!!
my, oh, my! i must say that it certainly can become boring. row after row of knit, knit, knit!!!
but wait, i find myself looking at a new pattern and what do i see? more and more garter stitch! argh!!!!!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
does time fly or does it ravel along?
and just what have i been up to?
well, knitting of course and also the activities of daily living - the mundane, trivial tasks that are so necessary - laundry, vacuuming, cooking, cleaning - to maintain a reasonable existence and NOT embarrass the family! God forbid!
enough about the mundane, on to the important stuff! what has and is on multiple sets of needles (i'm in trouble here as it also is beginning to emerge that i have a knitting needle fetish!) - another sock has met it's match! yeah, yippee, happy dance!! one down, still sooooo many to go!; my first big lace shawl is complete, blocked and available for wearing (pictures to follow); two sweaters are approaching completion (ahem, once i obtain more yarn to finish them) and a scarf will soon be seeing the light of day (started last spring and stashed because of warmer weather and cotton yarn!).
and then there is the election and the pathetic attempt by john mccain and the republicans to woo independent hillary backers with sarah palin - as gloria steinem has stated: "the only thing that hillary and sarah share is a chromosome." amen, sister! the whole situation is just disgusting - to think that women, by and large, are that stupid that they would fall for such a twit!!
my heavens, let's get real! that debate was sad and demoralizing - do we really want someone representing us to the world that winks at the camera, avoids the issues, and drops the endings from her words! this is serious business - we don't need a 'comedian wanna be' calling the shots for us! we need someone with demeanor and decorum leading us at this troubled time!
someone who looks and ACTS presidential! go OBAMA/BIDEN!
and that's my two cents worth!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
game, set, match!
Friday, September 5, 2008
i'm baaaaaack!!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
goodie, goodie gumdrops!!!
Monday, August 11, 2008
and the winner is?
one project down! and...it is only the third day of olympic competition!!
i'm so excited to have these finished that i could break my arm patting myself on the back!!
will be casting on my next olympic project today. this should leave me plenty of time to crank out another pair of socks before the closing ceremony.
these socks are the march rockin' sock club 'leafling' pattern in the 'lucky' colorway. they are soooo soft and warm - am looking forward to wearing them when colder weather sets in!