A Quickie Post!

It's still drying but I thought I'd go ahead and take the pic. The Brown/Red felted bag with a flap closure, pattern courtesy of my friend Alice who has a mind for design! I really like the shape and the flap. I eye balled the stripe on the flap to match the one on the body of the bag so I did fret a little about that turning out right. Matches pretty good! It's Paton's merino in a dark brown and deep red not the pinkish red that seems to appear in the pic. Some of you know how much I don't care for pink! The handle is a "flat I-cord" which was rather fun to knit. It's bedtime!

Just because.............

I haven't posted in a few days and I have no knitting so what's the next best picture choice? Pets! Here's Nellie being a silly girl or is it my 11 yr old son being a silly boy with the camera? And there's Rosie too watching her silly dog sibling thinking to herself, "I'm the Queen Bee, who does this dog thing she is?" Can you imagine a dog this size wanting to sit in your lap? She tries to. She must think she's puppy size!



On the knitting front though I casted on for the over-the-knee stockings from Handknit Holiday's. They are going to be soooooo soft with the Rowan Cashsoft. The sad thing is with the temperatures into the 80's already around here I won't have the opportunity to wear them until next Fall.

You know how long it takes to do handles for felted bags? It seems like it takes as long as the bag itself. I am knitting away on handles for the brown/red bag with a flap closure. I decided on knitting the flat I-cord. It looks really neat so I do hope it felts fine! Picture soon.

Late night purchases...

Isn't incredible that we can go shopping after the "real" stores close? I love it! I have been wanting yarn for the stockings in the "Handknit Holidays" book. Here's a picture of them. I could only find them in someones blog photos so here's to her, Barbara! Over-the-Knee-Socks Aren't they great? I wear long dresses and skirts so I won't mind a bit wearing those. I wear knee highs anyway. Haven't worn pantyhose in several years! This is what I will knit them with, Rowan Cashsoft in the color Papyrus. Yes, I bought the last 4 skeins!!! I did opt for the color Walnut if my first choice had been taken. I rarely buy yarn for something I don't intend to start immediately but the price was right you know!
I am currently finishing up a red and brown felted bag. Hopefully the weekend. I also keep plugging along on my Alice Starmore, Kinsale, row by tedious row but I still love it!

TEMARI, Do you know about it?

It's such a beautiful art. I thought I'd share a couple I did a while back. It seems knitting has consumed me and I haven't done anything else but I used to!!!! Check this website for more exquisite Temari . Go to the Temari Ball Exhibition link on the left then click on the individual ones for a close up. You'll be impressed! It's not extremely difficult but not a simple craft either. You can put several in a glass bowl or one on an ornamament hanger or stand a hurricane globe up on its end and put them inside. Something different!!!

"Modular Knits" Sold!

One book left! Any takers?

Need a Knit Book?

I don't plan to make a habit of this but I am gathering funds for Henrietta's repair (see previous post) and my Kromski Wheel ...... of course both necessities!! Modular Knits retails for $17.95 and Brilliant Knits for $24.95. How about both for $28.00 includes shipping media mail or $12.00 each plus $3.00 shipping per book?
Thanks!

SHALOM!!!

It's a wonderful word!! I am not Jewish but have just learned what this word encompasses in it's meaning. Most of us know it to mean peace and of course it does but that's just a small part of the true meaning. Did you know that the word in Israel is used daily even though that country is far from peace? A word study for Shalom says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony and the absence of agitation or discord. WOW! You know when we compliment one another or give encouragement it really does lift people and sometimes changes attitudes. Can you imagine the impact "Shalom" can have? Speaking all those positive words over one another can change hearts. Sure beats, "Hi, how are ya?", "OK, fine". Here's a wonderful Scripture including the Hebrew word, Shalom.

"The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you SHALOM." Numbers 6:24-26 In the name of Sar Shalom - the Prince of Peace.

SHALOM, everyone!

Soft cotton and homemade soap....Yum!

What blog hasn't had a post or two about dishcloths or washcloths? BUT, I have to say that mine is extra special. As you can see because it is adorned with handmade SOAP! Handmade with love from my friend Catie . I don't know that she has even mentioned this talent of hers on her blog but I am sure blessed to know about it! I bought some from her at Christmas for gifts and then she treated me! Thank you!! I'm loving it.

The yarn is Blue Sky organic cotton of which I actually bought for a top! That didn't work out so I've made a couple pairs of baby booties and now a facecloth. It's perfect or both.

Oh, you're wondering about the doily. I crocheted that some years ago. I'd like to learn more crochet. I know the single and double stitch but I think that's about it. Doilies are special.

My Baby is sick!!!

Henrietta needs a new engine!! I can't believe it and I am so sad about it because I lack the funds for that right now. I also have a pet peeve about folks keeping cars that don't run parked for indefinite periods of time on the street or on their property. Neighborhood eyesores. Of course she isn't! But I don't want to be one of those people. Most importantly though I want to drive her! Good mileage is a bit important right now, wouldn't you say? She's "my" baby, "my" toy ya know. My little get away thing. My treat. Selfish, your thinking, right? Well, after 5 children and your a bit older you get that way. Ha!

The other downside is that the only $$ I do have in my piggy bank is set aside for a spinning wheel? I was supposed to get a Schacht from someone a month ago but that fell through. Now I am opting for a new Kromski Sonata since Robin is absolutely in love with hers. I know I don't even have to ask for opinions as to which "emergency" to take care of first!! But if you'd like to put a vote in and reasons why I might be able to get an objective idea about this pickle I'm in. Or would I? Maybe I could sell some things on this ole blog to raise funds to take care of both!! Oh Joy!

Blended Seasons .....

Here are a few finished (or almost) winter/summer knits. The hat pattern is an Ann Norling called the spiral hat knit with Noro Big Kuryeon. I love the spiral effect. Here's the pattern at one of my favorite online yarn stores, Jimmy Beans .

The other strange looking wooly is Knitty's Caliometry . I used Noro for that as well. It's an interesting pattern and great for long hair. A huge headband to keep your ears warm on that cold winter day.

Lastly, summer socks knit with Knitpicks, Dancing . I have to admit that I am not too crazy about the yarn and probably wouldn't use it again. It's just me really. It's not bad yarn by any means. With it's cotton, wool, nylon and elastic content they should last!

When those socks in the pic are finished I will get back to my "Kinsale" an Alice Starmore gansey (see my very first post). I have very little on needles right now just a round facecloth and a felted bag to go. I think!

Warm and Wooly

This cardigan I finished a couple months ago. It's Rowanspun/Chunky. The pattern is from an old Reynolds flyer I think. It's actually supposed to be one of those sweaters that goes down to your thighs and you wear leggings or tight thingy's with it! NOT ME! So, I cut the length. I really liked the patten just for the cables and the hood. The cables are around the sleeve cuffs, waist and where the raglan sleeves meet the sweater body. Check out the buttons. I bought a sweater at the Goodwill that was cotton and worn out but I only wanted the buttons. They look like clay and handpainted. They were a perfect find! The yarn has a tweedy look with blue flecks. I'm pleased with it and wear it often. This blog picture taking must be an art cause I'm still learning. I can only hope to be as good a photographer as some of you fabulous knitters out there who also take awesome pictures!

My Spiritual Rosie!

Isn't she something? Having her morning devotions, such a good girl. She can teach me a thing or two!!

Summer Tank for a summery day!

Today the sun is shining it's about 60 degrees and I was motivated to get this tank finished. Still side seams to sew and ends to weave. It's a cotton/lycra yarn from Classic Elite called Star. I bought it last year when I was visiting my sister in CO and we were yarn shop hopping. This was from Showers of Flowers in Denver (scroll down and take their virtual tour). A HUGE, lovely shop! Makes my LYS look like a matchbox! The pattern "Spandex Tank" was designed by Sharon Wittenberg owner of 2 "Purls" shops in Tuscon, AZ. I did not use the recommended yarn of Cascade Fixation because what I did use was on sale and very similar! I have 2 skeins left and a bit from a couple balls of the lighter yellows so what should I do with that? Any ideas? 112yds./skein +.

The Other Pet!

Since I've shared 2 of my darlings with you it's only fair I give a place to our newest member of the pet family. We got Nellie last September. I should say it wasn't a plan at all to get a Greyhound. Our Yellow Lab, Macguyver, had been gone almost 2 years so I thought maybe it was time to get another dog. I wanted a small dog. As you can see some how I missed that! Nellie is great though and has made this place her home quite easily. I hear they are referred to sometimes as the "40 mph couch potato". That's her! I take her to run on Sunday afternoons and she is FAST. It's an amazing thing to watch. Not on the track mind you but in freedom to stop at any time to nudge my hand for some love pats! Then she's a happy girl on her bed or on the couch when I'm not looking!

Weaving!!!

No, not on a loom! I wish! I finally finished weaving in all the ends on my sister's Koigu scarf. Want to guess how many ends that was? 53! I did not do it as I was knitting so it was all left till the end. I have a very similar scarf that she knit for me. We used the same pattern and some of the Koigu colors were the same. Remember from previous post that it was from her left over Koigu after knitting the Koigu Keepsake Shawl. So, I had to do the same for her, my pleasure because I love her to pieces!! She has gifted me several times will beautiful handknits. If you want to see a huge close-up of the scarf just click on it! So close you can see the wood grain of my table! More important the chevron pattern and the COLORS. Anyway after all the knitting I've done lately with Koigu I still love the yarn and am ready for another Koigu project!

My First Mittens!

Looking good so far, huh? I know, I've just started but I'm impressed! I have never really done Fair Isle before. I did knit the bodice of a toddler dress some years ago and it had several colors but these mittens are different! The pattern is from Knitty's Corazon. I chose the recommended yarn, Debbie Bliss Merino DK and I love the colors grey and yellow together. I just need to make sure I get them finished before winter leaves us! If you want to see a gorgeous pair of mittens check these archivist on the edge and can you believe it? Snow in the background! I could only hope. Mine will probably have Daffodils!

A non-knitting post again but I know you like to eat!!!

This morning I baked some scrumptious muffins. The recipe is originally from the Jan/Feb 2003 issue of Country Woman magazine. I found it posted on a knitter's blog and I am so sorry that I don't know which. I tried to find it again to no avail. But I do have the full recipe to share and my little changes! It's true, I have to change most everything even knitting instructions! These muffins I must say are the moistest (is that a word?) and tastiest I have had in a long time and with such simple ingredients. Here you are:

Shoofly Muffins

4 cups all-purpose flour (I use bread flour)

2 cups brown sugar

1 cup cold butter

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups boiling water

1 cup molasses

Mix flour, sugar, and salt well.Cut in butter. Remove 1 cup of crumbs and set aside.

To remaining crumbs add baking soda, mixing well again. Stir in boiling water and molasses. Fill muffin liner 2/3 full. top each muffin with a spoonful of the set side crumbs. Bake 20 minutes at350 degrees F. Makes 2 dozen.

**My changes: I did cut the recipe in half. I added 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed, 1/4 cups bran making the flour 1 3/4 cups and I only used 3/4 cups brown sugar. They are plenty sweet! You can probably go to a half cup.

So you thought I didn't have one?

A cat of course! Don't the majority of knitters have cats? From the looks of a whole lot of blogs I think it might be true. It seems I must share pictures of them too. So may I introduce my furry darlings. Rosie is our Siamese. Her temperment and personality is well..... Siamese! She rules the roost. Esther our black and white lady is rather an introvert and just happy eating and sleeping. Rosie is almost 4 years old and Esther is approaching 7. They are quite pampered here. My family adore them. Should I mention our third pet in the same post? Nah, I'll leave all the glory to these ladies. Although our fairly new pet is very cool too. Shhhh! she's a dog!

Knit socks turned UGLY!

How can it be? When they get a huge hole in the heel! See that dark smudge at the top right? Yuk!! Can you believe I have about 5 pairs of socks in need of darning? I did buy some antique darning eggs off eBay a while back just to prepare. There are even great directions online to darn. I've made copies! Just haven't tackled the job yet. I'm not sure what happened that I acquired holes. These were knit a few years ago. Maybe I didn't use a wool/nylon blend. Of course I would now. If you are not using a yarn specified for socks that has nylon content always, always carry along nylon reinforcing thread. At one time I bought several colors from elann.com. It's called, Schoeller Esslinger Stopf-und Beilaufgarn. Somehow that means wool/nylon reinforcing thread!!I tried to give you a link but it just isn't working.
I think one of my favorite sock yarns for durability is Regia. I am wanting to try the Austermann Step. Has anyone knit with that yet and do you love it? I think Nanette gets my vote for a fabulous sock knitter! Her talent and eye for color has got to be my sock goal in life!!!

Yum, Yum! No, not yarn!!!

BREAD!! I love to bake bread and used to do a lot more of it and I'm thinking I need to get back in gear. This bread is the "No Knead" bread that has been circulating the Internet since an article appeared in the NY Times last November. Here's where you can find the recipe:
Lahey's No Knead Bread
The bread is absolutely wonderful. Nice and crunchy on the outside and a soft inside. The trick is baking it in cast iron! It's so easy too. When that lovely loaf came out of my oven I felt like a pro!!! I've only made it twice so far. The first rise is 18 hours, Yikes! So, I keep forgetting to start it in time for the next evening. Give it a try. You really can't mess it up! Check out the NY Times video on the How To's: Bread Video Your family will be so impressed!