More snow.......

The snow is still falling today. Beautiful as it is the snow does cause problems, traffic accidents, power outages both of which can cause the demise of the innocent. That's the tragic part. I read in our local paper this morning that a man and his son were killed on I-81, hit by a truck as they stopped to help another driver! Very sad, do keep this family in your prayers.

My concern in my own little world outside my house is my Blue Spruce! I've been trying to keep the branches cleaned off so the weight will not break them. My Dogwoods are heavy too and much older that the Spruce. In the photo you can see a very large Pine tree fell yesterday morning. And that's before still much more snow! It's directly across from our house on a steep hill that is quite the attraction for sledding. Fortunately the tree is not in the way of everyone having fun.
The last snow we had a leak inside the house due to some ice that formed on the roof preventing the melt off to run in the proper direction. It pooled instead and came through the roof into a closet! Not horrible and relatively easy to remedy (my oldest son climbed out and knocked off the ice) but can potentially happen again. Now, in the spring we have a closet that needs painting! With utility bills rising and money tight for many I sure hope no one encounters more 'fixit' situations as a result of the snow.
Yesterday I went for a long walk around my block and down the alley through freshly fallen snow. No tracks but mine. Fun! I came to what looked like in the distance a fallen tree but then realized it was tall Bamboo heavily laden with snow. I stood under it and gave it a shake and they popped back up to their tall stature and I was left covered with snow. I felt like a kid! Good for me since I was feeling better after a migraine the day before. I think another walk is in store for today! I think too I need another try at a snow angel since this ones wings didn't move.

One down and one to go....

With this crazy weather and the fact that I lost a pair of mittens recently I needed a new pair. This was an interesting pattern called, "Manly Mitts" another Knitty.com creation from Summer 05. The cuffs I changed a bit and did a K1tbl, P1 instead of the K2, P2. I really like how the knit stitches stand out when you Ktbl. Obviously black is hard to photograph and you can't see the cuffs very well. I knit the smaller size, it offered two sizes thinking a small mans mitt might be just fine but it's snug. I hope it stretches a bit if I block them.
A friend recently made a funny comment. "Can you imagine the winter we would be having if it weren't for global warming?" Here in Southwest VA we have had more snow this winter than in the past 20 years I think and even snow in December which is really rare. Anyway these mittens prompted using my favorite mug to photograph them!

Not Really a Hat ...........

My hands needed a break from the Aran sweater I'm knitting soooo ..............I have one of these already but wanted a different color. I like wearing them instead of a hat. The pattern is called, Calorimetry found at knitty in the winter issue 2006. Strange word so I looked up the definition, Calorimetry is the science of measuring the heat of chemical reactions or physical changes. Calorimetry involves the use of a calorimeter. The word calorimetry is derived from the Latin word calor, meaning heat. Now you know the 'rest of the story'!

Cables and Twists

I am slowly making progress on the Alice Starmore sweater called, 'Inishmore' from her book, Fishermen's Sweaters. I do love it but the twisted stitches are a killer on the hands. I am a bit past the 2nd repeat and in my guestimation I'll need a little over the 3rd before I start the armhole decreases.

Cables on either side of the center panel.
Center panel.
Front or Back, both the same at least to this point.

Starting Up......

I cast on New Years Eve. another Alice Starmore pattern called Inishmore. It's in the Fishermen's Sweaters book as was my Kinsale that I finished last month. This is an aran pattern and I am using a new yarn that was a gift from an online friend. It's a challenging pattern but it will be worth the work and beautiful when completed.

Finishing Up....

This is a DROPS Design by Garnstudio
I love the access we have to their patterns. They are so generous when tons of them are free. This one is Design #108-22. I used Queensland Kathmandu DK which is a blend of Merino, Cashmere, and Silk. I love the tweed look and the colors.

Here's the pattern photo as well since my picture doesn't show the entire sweater.

Amazingly Kim's 8 year old son is reciting this from memory! Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's, Christmas Bells.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The Carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
‘For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Snow in December!

Snow doesn't occur here even every year and rare in December and even more rare the 15 inches we got Friday night and all morning Saturday. I think people being stranded at home this time of year is a good thing! A few pictures from my front and back porch. My VW Beetle is almost unseen! Our street has steep hills at both ends so this morning with the temps in the 20's last night we are unable to get out. It also hasn't been plowed which is good because the moron that plows puts all the snow against our cars. We have no homes across the street only a stone wall running the length of the street. Wouldn't it make sense to plow the snow against that instead of blocking all the cars? The guy just doesn't think. A flip of a lever would switch the plow the opposite direction. I hope they don't come.

From my hometown!
Norfolk, VA

The trouble with setting knitting aside and coming back to it months later is that if you're like me you might forget how you something. I have just ripped out the toe because it doesn't match. I must have changed the directions and of course neglected to write it down. The picture looks finished but you might see the tip of the DPN near the toe of the right foot. After this post today it is my frustrating goal to make my toes match!!!
This is a Drops Design from Garnstudio pattern 110-42 socks with star pattern and knit in their KARISMA merino superwash. I love their site with tons of patterns and many free.

A pair of 'Fetchings' for my other daughter-in-law. I knit them a bit longer on the wrist than written in the pattern. Paton's Wool. Pattern is at Knitty.com and from Summer 2006.

The reversible chevron scarf is finished. My son chose the colors for his wife. I think she will be pleased!

She Has Way to Much Freedom!

Esther

My Husband's New Business

Approaching retirement age why not finally do something you really enjoy? He's a big outdoor cook that started through leadership in Boy Scouts which he still does. Now he's got his own little outdoor restaurant serving Nathan's Hot Dogs and sometimes BBQ which is smoked all night in an outdoor grill. He sets up at different Roanoke, VA locations with permission from private business owners. They are now calling him to come to their places! We are waiting for Roanoke City to change ordinances/zoning to accommodate all area outdoor vendors in January.

The Starmore "Kinsale" is finished!

More that a few years in the making because of course I have knit many other things. I finally met a goal that I set to wear it on Thanksgiving. Wednesday night I was sewing seams. Just before putting it on I steamed the seams and I don't plan on doing any other blocking. I love it! The changes I made were picking up stitches for the sleeves. I did not want to sew in sleeves! Also, it was knit a little shorter. I didn't want the tunic length.
Now, for another Starmore pattern! And for those that hadn't read about this on my blog before it's called the "Kinsale" by Alice Starmore and can be found in her book, "Fisherman's Sweaters".

Can't go wrong with Koigu!

This is for my daughter-in-law for Christmas. It's a reversible kind of chevron pattern. I've posted about the pattern before when I made one for my sister with left over Koigu I had used to knit my Koigu Keepsake Shawl. The melon or salmon color isn't quite so dark as it shows here. My son/her husband chose the skeins.
Ravelry link to the project page and pattern.

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas when you stop opening presents and listen."
Bobby - age 7

This wonderful quote was in an email entitled 'What is Love?' with answers from 4-8 year olds. Who knows but I think it's quite good and full of truth.

A hidden gold mine!!

A few days ago my dryer broke. It would run but not get hot. Since it's about 30+ years old I didn't think I should bother with repairing it. Checked Craigs list and saw one for $200 but a new one at Sears was $303. A local appliance store had used ones from $100. I had to think on all that. Then yesterday a friend called and she knew someone needing to get rid of one setting in an empty house. He'd sell it for $15! That's my kid of deal and it had to be newer than the current one in the harvest gold color!! What 1960's or 70's you think?

So .... my $15 dryer was delivered today. Delivered! White, clean and my favorite a Kenmore. I didn't even have to make arrangements for one of my sons to get it with their truck. I gave the guy $20 and still felt bad but we're currently strapped financially. Here's the fun part. When moving the old one we heard a very loud noise and thought it was rocks inside. We took the back cover off and found some pocket change. Gave it another shake and out comes more change. Turned it another way and here comes more!! After several shakes we ended up with $14.35. What a fun memory. All 5 of us standing around the dryer wondering how much would fall out next. You might want to go check your dryer!

A First!

After 4 years the persistent love of a Siamese has won. Nellie the greyhound has always tolerated her 2 cat siblings. Rosie the cat even follows her dutifully when we go for a walk on our street but Nellie generally ignores her. Now, things have changed!

This is a sweater I knit a couple years ago but had never taken any decent pictures. I have it in my projects on Ravelry but the lying on a table pic did it no justice. It's knit with Rowanspun Chunky. It's a very old pattern probably from the 70's-80's. It was shown just above knee length and worn with tights!! Yikes! I had a vision though and changed it up a bit. The buttons were a lucky find at the Goodwill on a worn out cotton sweater. I knew they would be perfect. It's one of those you want to wear all the time and I do.