I'm An Angel!

My dh had the week-end off, so we were at our dd's home constructing a block wall for an area for plants on the backside of her home. We got the job done ...... here's the pic of the finished product ..... it's late to be planting, so will do the plants this fall and next spring. The only black dirt in her yard is what came in on the sod that was put down, so dh brought compost w/manure and some peat moss to try to help a bit. We'll add the good top soil later. The Brittany spaniel to the left is dh's hunting buddy and the white fluff of behind on the right belongs to dd's bichon frise. My apricot poodle was in the yard, too, but just out of camera range.

When I signed up for the Ravelry Scarf Exchange 2008, I once again volunteered to be an angel ... that is to supply a scarf and other goodies in the case of the bailout of a participant. Well,..... the angel call came on Saturday while at dd's. I waited until the return home to check out my ample stash ..... had two balls of the perfect color for the swap partner. So, this morning I've been trying different size needles until now I have the first inch of a 60 inch scarf. I figure that knitting from one to four o'clock each afternoon, I should finish about the middle of next week ..... that is also the week that school resumes for the district, so this teacher will be back to work in the morning only. With retirement approaching in a few years, that doesn't sound too bad to me.

I'm working on February Lady Sweater KAL her on Ravelry. Have almost finished the yoke of the sweater .... four rows to go. Then the body is a lacy stitch .... I think I'm going to substitute a different st. I've consulted a very old stitch pattern book I have (from the 1960's) and am going to try a couple. Hopefully, I'll like one.

Did some work out with the perreniels ..... cutting off spent blossoms/flowers and dead growth. I'm about half-done, so will still spend time tomorrow.

Spring Forward Has Sprung

My socks for the STR forum Spring Forward KAL are done ..... finished .... waiting to be washed. They were knit with STR mediumweight Lemongrass on Addi circ #1.5 with ml. Started them July 12 and finished knitting them last night but waited to kitchener the toes this morning. Now,......what sock will be next. Who knows?
My February Lady Sweater in BMFA Twisted in the Ravel colorway Rook-y is started. I decided some mods were needed, so started with 1.5 inches of 1x1 rib with the suggested buttonhole. About 2 inches further, decided to frog to the buttonhole and do a double yo buttonhole instead....like it a lot better. Still haven't found the buttons, but may do that this week-end at PT in Omaha. I know that they have quite a supply of buttons.
Also have started a sweater for dd.......she purchased the yarn, but I'm knitting it. It will have the cable from the Arwen sweater in IK a while back. Because of her arm length, I needed to add about 5 inches to the pattern ... quite impossible with the sleeves knitted per pattern. So, I'm using the cable from Arwen with the pattern of the Central Park Hoodie ... will make the possibility of a good-looking sleeve a lot better. Just have about 2 inches done on the first front.
I've sent off all of my swap packages, but am still waiting to hear from my upstream on the Caffeine Addicts swap. Haven't heard a word .... all packages were to be sent by today. Maybe I've been forgotten. ¿Quién sabe? Who knows?
Suppose I'd better get back to my FLS and get the amt of yarn that I just frogged knitted ...again!
Happy knitting! TLGB

Knitting News

The Adamas Shawl that I started July 21 is finished, blocked, and dry! Here's a pic of it hanging on the fence ....had to put a sheet underneath it for any of the design to display. Below is the closeup ..... I'm really going to enjoy wearing this.
Last night I joined the February Lady Sweater KAL on Ravelry. I already had the yarn .... BMFA Twisted in the Rook-y colorway (one of the Ravel colorways). Decided that I wanted some 1x1 ribbing around the neck and then to carry it down the 8 sts edging on either side. I've made the first buttonhole using a new technique that was given on the pattern. Went downtown to the local fabric shop to look for buttons (one buttonhole is finished) and found some beautiful Celtic knot buttons .... only ..... there was only one card left and the owner said that she was getting a new button display in September. Well, when we are out and about in nearby towns, I'll just have to look for buttons since this is going to be a quick knit. After sock knitting and lace knitting the past two years, it will be a joy to work on a sweater with worsted weight yarn. Here's a pic of the neck ribbing and about 4 rows garter st.

DH is teaching a lot of classes for area EMS services, so I get a lot of knitting time at night while I'm watching television.

While I was at the fabric shop, I saw a lady that had knitted with a group of us in late 70's and early 80's. We had a group of about eight ladies that would meet at each other's home every Tuesday to just knit and taste some good desserts. My dd, Alcariel on ravelry, was born on a knitting group day in 1981. That must be the reason that she is such a good knitter now. One of the ladies, a former public librarian here, is turning 100 years old on Aug. 12. I've decided that I'm going to finish SOS2 for her and send it out to her in Goleta, California, where she moved about 15 years ago to be near her son. Kitty was a very avid knitter but no longer is able to do such intricate patterns due to loss of her eyesight. She is, however, still able to knit a simple hat or scarf. Happy Almost Birthday, Kitty!

Happy knitting, TLGB!

Adamas Shawl Is Completed!

Just finished bo the Adamas Shawl for the KAL. I only used two skeins of STR lightweight .... ended up with about 2 g. left, 7 yds. or so. I had never used the bo that was given and will definitely use it more. I started this July 21 and completed it August 4. What a quick, enjoyable knit! Here's a pic of the completed shawl before blocking.

I ordered the blocking wires from KP last week. The books and fork pins have come, but not the wires. I called KP since one box of the pins had fallen out a broken corner in the box. They are replacing those .... their rep said that they handle problems with USPS, so that was nice.She said that the wires should arrive within a couple of days. I really want to get it blocked, but since I don't plan on completing another shawl in the near future, think I'll wait until the blocking wires come to do that. After talking with dd, decided that I'd block the shawl after all. I use a 4'x8' piece of 1" thick styrofoam insulation. I did cut the piece in half, securing the two pieces together with a "duct tape" hinge, so it folds up for easier storage.
DH commented as I was knitting the shawl that he really liked the colors. Um.......think his next pair of socks will be from the extra skein I have. As I was knitting, I was hoping that I could get the shawl out of two skeins so he could have some socks like it.

Stash Over-enhancement

After dh spent $$$ for chemicals for the grasses on 100+ acres of land for wildlife habitat (pheasant hunting this fall), I over-indulged at BMFA site. I always buy myself "something" with part of my summer checks from teaching during the school year. Well, that "something" was my Ladybug spinning wheel ... but I decided to shop BMFA also.


These three hanks of Twisted in the Rook-y colorway are going to be used for the February Lady Sweater that will help keep me warm in my classroom (whether hot or cold weather outside).
The other pics are all of STR lightweight. Uses will be for the Charlotte's Web Shawl (five colorways), Mystic Light Shawl ( Motley Hue colorway), one of the colors for a Chevron Scarf (I already have one of the Raven colorways), and socks, socks, socks ......




L to R - Pixie Park, Firebird, Sunstone, Dixie Chick.




L to R - Jewel of the Nile, Watermelon Tourmaline, Braun's Woods, Space Dust



L to R - Crazy Lace Agate, Blue Brick Wall, Tanzanite, Lucy



STR Motley Hue (for shawl)
I already have another 12+ skeins of STR, so have been able to put together three different color groups for the CWS .... now to decide which one to use. I have until I finish the Adamas Shawl in STR Typhoon Tina. I LOVE BMFA! Happy knitting!
TLGB

Ravelry Scarf Exchange

On Saturday when we went out in the garage to leave for two different social gatherings, I found two boxes that the USPS had left. One was from Hreow on Ravelry, my upstream from RSE 1. After learning that I had purchased a spinning wheel, she sent me a whole box (she called it a "wee parcel") full of fiber goodness. Included were shetland, camel, English, Bowmon Braf (blue yarn at top), Wensleydale, merino, Jacob's, Seaweed wool, BFL, Scottish llama, yak, alpaca, silk, and bamboo. Wow! Do I have a lot of work to do! Thanks, Hreow!

The other was from Knittog, my RSE 2 upstream.

Included was a lovely scarf in the perfect color of blue, some Noro Kureyon (will be used for a buttonhole neck scarf), a coffee cup sleeve, a Moonstruck chocolate bar, locking stitch markers, a coffeepot keychain, a small notepad that will go in my purse, and some salt water taffy. The chocolate bar and taffy were made in Oregon. Thanks, Knittog.

On the knitting front, I'm knitting on the Adamas Shawl. I've completed 9 of 14 repeats on chart 2..... however, the rows are getting longer ...... increasing from 7 sts to 240+ now! Hopefully, I'll have it completed before school starts. It has really been an enjoyable knit and a learning experience, too. I'm able to just rip down a few sts for 3-4 rows when I encounter a mistake and then work them back ...... only this time, hopefully correct.

The Spring Ahead socks are knitted about 4 inches out on the foot .... these are my "in the car" knitting, so not a lot of progress there lately.

Happy knitting. TLGB

Knitting Update

My downstream on RSE has received her box, so I can now post the pics. The pattern was by Ann Norling and is contained in her pattern #46 Six Lace Scarfs. I used the "Lacy Leaves" pattern with 39 sts co. The yarn was Aslan Trends Class in a bright blue (cotton) with a twist of navy (viscose) to give some sheen. I used #7 (3.5 mm) KP Harmony needle. The scarf was directional, so I knitted the two halves and then did a three-needle bindoff, a first for me on a scarf. I had used the technique for years with shoulders of sweaters. Annadownya on Ravelry, a Floridian, was recipient of the scarf and was pleased. I knitted each half until a ball of yarn was about finished so it ended up being 10" x 84".

I started the Adamas Shawl KAL earlier this week, the 21st. Tonight I finished the 7th repeat of chart 2 which is half of the rows ...... but the shawl is growing .......so I'm about a third finished with it. I've found the written directions easier to follow than the charts, so have been using those. I knitting with BMFA STR lightweight in the Typhoon Tina colorway on #5 KP Options .... I just exchanged the 40" cable for the 60". I have about 1/3 of the first ball of yarn knitted, so will probably use two, possibly just a little of the third. I'm really enjoying knitting and my dh has actually complimented me on my knitting for once .... wow, that's a first (I think) in the 36 years we've been married. Here's pics of the shawl through the 7th repeat and also a closeup of the sts.

Time to get some sleep .....happy knitting ...... TLGB!

RSE Completed!

The scarf for RSC is finished and almost dry from blocking. The other goodies are waiting to be sent to annadownya on Ravelry. Sorry, no hint as to what is coming. This exchange we were to make ourselves known to our downstream.......only the scarf details were to be kept secret. I found the perfect yarn in May, but not the right pattern for the yarn until almost the end of June. I did start four other scarf patterns, but none did the yarn justice. Hopefully, it will please annadownya.

The Spring Ahead socks for the STR June KAL are an easy knit. Even though the pattern calls for lightweight STR, I am using mediumweight STR so that helps. I'm doing both socks on ml and have the gussets about halfway knitted now. I hope to have the gussets finished before hitting the pillow tonight.

I signed up for the Adamas shawl KAL on Ravelry. I'm planning to using lightweight STR in Typhoon Tina colorway. I tried it on #7 and didn't care for the fabric, so I'm starting out on #5 the next time ....perhaps tomorrow.

Here is northern Iowa, it is really humid with temps in the low 90's, so really don't feel like going outside to do anything. DH is doing his usual Sunday afternoon activity ..... napping on the sofa! I'd like to go to the movie Mama Mia this afternoon, so that may delay more knitting a bit.

Back to knitting! TLGB!

Socks That Rawk KAL

I realized last week that I didn't have any socks on the needles after I finished two pairs that were WIPs. Decided that I'd do the Spring Ahead Socks KAL that the Socks That Rawk group is doing this month. I chose lemongrass for the colorway, but it is mediumweight. I do knit quite tightly, so I'm using Addi 1.5 ml. I've only knitted about three hours total, but have already completed 1.5 pattern repeats (24 total rows per repeat) on both socks .... that leaves just 24 more rows until I'm at the heels. The repeat is an easy one to memorize, so don't have to refer to the pattern/chart.

I'm also working on the scarf for annadownya for the Ravelry Scarf Exchange. I've never done two halves and then a 3-needles bindoff, so that something new for this old knitter. The pattern and yarn is secret until it is received by the downstream pal, so a pic should be posted before the end of the month .... Aug. 1 is the date the exchange ends. I have all the goodies for the box, just need to finish the scarf ..... I'm about 1/4 done with the second half. I love this pattern with the yarn .... it's only the fifth one that I tried. TLGB

Latest Knitting

I've been working on the Ravelry Scarf Exchange for annadownya from Florida. I have finished half of the scarf. It's secret, so can't give the yarn or pattern. It needs to be finished this month and sent. This is the 5th pattern I tried, but it is the one for the chosen yarn.

Finished the River Rapids socks from Sock Bug. These were started for a gift for one of the organizers of the DSM Metro Knitters retreat in Feb. Now, they are finally finished.

Last night was a first ..... no socks on the needles. This morning, I cast on the Spring Forward socks from Knitty in STR lemongrass colorway. The yarn is medium weight instead of lightweight, but I usually co 72 sts for my high instep, so figure the 66 sts will be enough. I'll be using these socks for the SAM6 KAL. TLGB

Back from Colorado, again!

We are back from our nephew's wedding in Loveland....it was at the McC Ranch northwest of Loveland ..... absolutely breath-taking view of the mountains. And .....they loved the afghan that I've been working on for the past three months!

Also during the road trip, I worked on the River Rapids socks that has been "snoozing" for quite some time. I just have to kitchener the toes and they will be completed for the 6-Sock KAL.

Now, I'm working on the scarf for the Ravelry Scarf Exchange. I decided on the yarn early in May, but only recently decided on the pattern. Both are secret, so won't be posting until it is sent and received. TLGB

Finished Works!

Wow! Two finished projects this month....first I finally finished the Jacobean Socks from SKP 2008 in Smooshy, the ruby river colorway.

Next, the afghan I started earlier this spring for our nephew's wedding in Colorado on June 28. It was knitted double-strand with Cascade 220 in three shades of taupe and three of teal. The final size is about 48" by 84". Our nephew is about 6'5", so wanted it plenty long. It is the Ombre Alpaca Blanket from Last Minutes Knitted Gifts.

Estes Park Wool Market!

DD decided shortly after Christmas that she was going to the Estes Park Wool Market with some of her knitting friends. Well ...... due to the high gas prices and some wanting to go to the Iowa Sheep and Wool on the same week-end, DD would be doing the trip alone. Being the caring (maybe, protective) mom that I am, I asked her if she would mind if I went with her. So, late Tuesday afternoon, I made the 200+ mile trip to dd's home so we could leave by mid-morning Wed. to make the trip out a little more enjoyable. We stopped in Hastings, Nebraska, at the Plum Nelly and Imagiknit stores and yes, we each bought a little. I bought patterns, a wooden tatting shuttle, three single patterns, and Knitting on the Road. The latter I always wanted since dd showed me her copy.
We stayed the night in Lexington, NE, and started off about 9 o'clock the next morning after stopping for a cup of coffee and absolutely delicious scones at the Coffee Cottage just off I-80 in Lexington. We arrived in Estes Park at the Alpine Ridge Trail Inn about mid-afternoon. After unloading the car, we ate at a restaurant just adjacent to the motel, The Sundeck. I had a delicious plate of scallops with parsley buttered red potatoes and dd had the house speciality of fresh mountain trout. She did opt to not have the poor thing fileted at the table. She said it was delicious.
Shortly after our arrival, there was a brief period of snow flurries .... yes, snow in mid-June... not uncommon according to locals.
This morning we took off for The Egg and I, a delicous area restaurant chain, that specializes in serving breakfast and lunch only. DD had the French toast special of the day which was topped with strawberries, bananas, chocolate chips, almonds, and whipped cream. I decided on a raspberry granola whole wheat waffle, served with raspberry yogurt instead of butter. There was syrup on the table too, but I've never cared for that on my pancakes. Thank heavens that this was only one dinner plate-sized pancake. Even though ww, it was very light to eat with the crunchy granola and fresh raspberries added as it was cooked.
We needed exercise to wear off some of the calories, so we decided to try to find a couple of letterboxes in Estes ..... one was missing, but we did locate the one in a park-like 20-acre hill in the middle of town. Elk often mate in the wetland at the bottom, so for personal safety, the lower path was blocked until late July since elk are seen there almost every day from early spring. We didn't see any. I got the first stamp in my letterboxing journal ..... that was dd's 30+ stamp. It was fun trying to figure out the location from the clues given and then to see all the people who had found it previously.
This afternoon we just took it easy in the room to prepare for the Wool Market tomorrow. One of dd's friends who stayed at her father's condo in Loveland will probably meet up with us there tomorrow. There were classes yesterday and today, but dd didn't realize how early you have to register, so we weren't able to take any. We will see a lot of yummy fiber and yarn tomorrow, so that's okay.
I'm trying to finish the 10th stripe on the afghan that I'm knitting for our nephew's wedding later this month in Loveland. We'll bring dh along with us for that and do some letterboxing on the scenic tour, Lariat Loop, before returning home.
Happy knitting! TLGB

Now I Have Some Time!

I've been working on various projects, but have been busier finishing up the year at school and then I took on the added responsibility of being registrar for the church women's convention for the western half of the state. That has been a half-time job after getting home from my full-time teaching job the past couple of weeks. I've received 330+ registrations so far and usually they have 400 at church camp for the event. This year it will take place June 19-21....that's only 3 weeks away!

The Jacobean socks will be finished for the SAM5 KAL for my May socks. I have the last pattern repeat to do and then the ribbing. I have until tomorrow at midnight, so I should make it.

I'm also well over halfway finished with the afghan for our nephew's wedding the end of June. I am just starting the 8th of eleven stripes. I can do a stripe in three evenings if I'm not interrupted. I hope to have it finished by the 15th so I can get it blocked before the convention.

That's about all that's happened in the knitting area ..... now I'm out to mow the lawn. TLGB

Progress on Jacobeans!

Wow! It's been a long time since I started the Jacobean socks for the SK Pentathlon on March 26 .... usually I have them finished within three weeks. I didn't make the deadline, May 1, but they are the next socks to be completed. I have about an inch left before I start the heel. Since I've been eliminated from the competition, the pressure is off and they will be completed this month for the SAM5 KAL. I haven't decided if I will do the short row heel on the pattern or do my usual heel flap.

The past week I have been knitting on them, the afghan for my nephew's wedding the end of June, and the Ravelry Scarf Exchange. The afghan is almost halfway finished, so I'm at least on schedule with that .... besides, it will get warmer one of these days and I won't want a heavy, wool afghan resting on my lap. Happy knitting and TLGB!

Salish Sea Completed!

These are the Dec. 2008 Rocking Sock Club sock, Salish Sea by Cat Bordhi .... completed at last! I started them in Dec, only to find out they were huge ..... so to the frog pond they went .... both were completed halfway through the heel. Now they fit. I also used these as my April socks for the SAM5 KAL.

The Ombre alpaca afghan (knit with Cascade 220 held double on #13) that I'm knitting for our nephew's wedding in June is progressing well. There are to be eleven strips about 7 inches wide ...I'm halfway through the 4th one.

Now on to working on the socks for the Sock Pentathlon 2008 ..... am about halfway through the first diamond repeat on, ....., yes,....another toe-up sock. I still can't say I really enjoy knitting toe-up, but I'm learning the techniques at least.

Another Great Swap!!

This morning when I came home for lunch, I saw the FedEx truck pulled up in front of the house. As I got out of the car, the driver (a very pleasant lady), said, "This must be for you!" It was my Ravelry Caffeine Addict Exchange 3 package from Julie, mvknitter on Ravelry.

She sent three hanks of Alchemy Yarns Monarch (75% cashmere, 25% silk) ….. have been wanting to make some fingerless gloves from IK, but hadn’t found a cashmere based yarn I liked …. now I have it. Also included was a cup with “Knit and Sip” on it, designed by mvknitter. Can’t wait to try either of the Peeks House Blend and Major Dickason’s coffee …. tomorrow morning! She also included, a journal, vanilla almond biscotti and a gift card from Starbucks, and “streetcar” time full of Ghirardelli chocolate squares. Julie, you are awesome!

Knitting Progress

I've been working this past week on the Salish Sea socks from RCS December 2008 shipment. Well,.... I now have them back to the same point as when I frogged. Am almost ready to start the heels (they are toe-up).

I hadn't posted a pic of the Socks Pentathlon 2008 sock yet .... mainly because I didn't have much done. I am knitting both socks at the same time, so I guess there is some progress. Another toe up ..... I'm trying really hard to like them ... don't know if it's working or not. Here a pic of them almost through the first diamond repeat above the toe.

Our nephew Mark and his fiance Corbi are getting married the end of June, so I decided to knit them the Alpaca Ombre Blanket from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. DD had knitted a 100% alpaca one for a housewarming gift for herself when she purchased her home. Well, .... I chose Cascade 220 in three shades of brown/taupe and three of teal. I have the first two strips done, so it is a fast knit on size 13 circ. There will be a total of 11 strips.

Jacobean Socks Started!

I started the Jacobean socks for the Sock Knitters Pentathlon with the “Queen Kahuna Aloha” cast on. It’s really an easy cast on ….. I’ve tried others and will definitely be using this one again. I did increase the sts to 70 from 62 mostly to get them over my high instep. I'm using Knit in Color's Smooshy in the Ruby River colorway. I already have both toes done. Tonight it will be beginning the pattern. A lot of knitters have already finished this pair and most have said that they were "quick knits."

Weather ..... snow, again! In fact, we have a two-hour late start today because of it. I pray that all the young people make it safely to school .... it's still snowing at almost 9:30 and the visibility didn't look the best as I turned toward the high school. Time to get busy .... TLGB

SOTS 2 - Clue #7 Completed

Better late than never! That's the theme of my SOTS2 ..... the KAL actually ended last Friday, but I was not close to completion at that time. So, now I can take my time .... I just finished Hint #7 last night. You should be able to see the lifeline (white dental floss) that's at the beginning of Hint 7. I decided to just pin out the area of the completed portion. Now it's on to Hint #8 ... I'm already about six rows into that (60 rows total), but it does knit quickly now. I feel a lot more comfortable with lace knitting after doing this stole. I have a couple other lace shawls that I have both the pattern and yarn, but haven't felt confident enough to do them ... now I will do them ..... sometime!

I hope to start the Jacobean Socks for the Sock Knitters Pentathalon KAL. It's a toe-up sock .... out of my comfort zone, but I plan to follow the pattern for the experience. If it doesn't fit when I'm done, I'm sure that I'll be able to find a happy recipient. TLGB