October 1, 2008
My pics of Angel Scarf
September 30, 2008
Pics at last!
The stole is knit from both ends and then grafted in the middle. I have both ends done through the second clue. This is the first knitted beading I've ever done, so have enjoyed the learning experience. After 48 years of knitting, you can still learn something new! Clues 3 and 4 are knitted with no beads .... some other participants that have finished those clues and I really like the look of this stole. There are only two more clues to come out .... with very little beads (9) on clue 5 and about 60 on the final clue.
Two weeks ago, our great-niece and her dh had their first child, a little boy. Well, I have a lot of sock yarn "leftovers", so decided to try making my own pattern for infant socks. CO 32 sts to begin The socks on the left are from Colinette Jitterbug in the popsicle colorway and had a 2x2 rib for 24 rows for the leg, a slip st heel flap of 16 rows, heel turn, 10 rows for the foot and then my favorite toe. Even kitchenered the toe of 12 total sts. The right socks are from STR Bella Coola colorway and are just 1x1 rib for 6 rows and then stockinette for the rest. Now I'm working with some Lisa Souza sock yarn in the gendarme colorway ..... doing 8 rows of 1x1 rib, then 6 k row, 2 p rows, to the heel flap, and plan to continue the 6k, 2p rows to the toe (except for heel). It is really turning out cute.
September 29, 2008
I've Been Lazy!
I've been busy knitting baby socks for my great-niece's new son. I knitted a plain stockinette pair from STR mediumweight in the Bella Coola colorway (blue/green) and a 2x2 rib leg in Colinette Jitterbug in the Popsicle colorway (bright basic colors). I'm knitting them with the dps that came with my Wollmeise sock club this month. It's been a long time since I've knitted with dps ..... even considered magic looping two pairs at a time, but decided that the yarn would be a tangled mess. DH says that baby socks only take her about 1 1/2 hours per sock ..... mine are taking about 2 1/2 hours. I've never knitted anything so small. Yes, I did them with heel flap and gussets. Hopefully I'll have two pairs done before the end of the month for the SAM KAL (only one sock is left, about 3/4 of it), but I really want to do a couple more pairs before the end of the week when I'd like to take them to the new mom, dad, and son. Oh, this great-niece's dh purchased the acreage that was part of the farm where my maternal grandmother lived on when I was young .... what a coincidence. I'm anxious to see what changes have been made to the house, buildings, etc. Will post pics when I've finished the second pair.
Julie on Ravelry, the recipient of my angel scarf, sent me a lovely thank you box. Folded paper bookmarks (I'm already using three of them), some soap, a heart-shaped moisturing shea butter that smells minty, some lavendar body bath, and some lovely pics she's taken. Thank you, Julie!
Happy knitting, everyone! TLGB
September 11, 2008
Angel Scarf

A close-up of the lace pattern

A fence ... the perfect place to display the scarf
I really enjoyed the experience .... even though I did some "power knitting" to get the scarf done in 18 days.... and that was with school starting. Three years from now I won't have to worry about that ... retirement looms!
The Mystery Stole 4 is coming along nicely .... I only have two rows left, but ran short on beads. When I purchased them, Hobby Lobby didn't have enough in stock, but was getting more. Tomorrow I will make a quick trip there to get the additional beads. I did change from lace weight yarn to STR lightweight in the Motley Hue colorway (gray with subtle blues). I really liked the beads and they really overpowered the laceweight yarn. They were, of course, a size larger to begin with .... the smaller beads are difficult to find here in northern Iowa. The next clue comes out tomorrow, so maybe I can finish before it's loaded on the Yahoo Group site. Will take pics when the clue is finished.
Happy knitting, everyone! TLGB
September 6, 2008
Mystery Stole 4
Today was the "Day of the Frog" for more reasons .... I tried the Bubble Wrap socks from SockBug on while on the way home from the fair .... they were HUGE! I frogged 1.5 inches of 1x1 ribbing and two patterns repeats on the leg ..... of both socks! Yes, I knit two socks at a time on magic loop .... love the method. Since I started using ml, I haven't done any socks on dps. This is the first socks I've frogged, so I guess that's not bad ..... but I almost cried. I usually knit with STR lightweight ... but, the Rolling Stone colorway I chose was mediumweight .... I didn't notice when I started, so had cast on my usual 72 sts ....WRONG! Now I have the 64 I usually use with mediumweight, so things will come out better ...... or at least I hope so!
Happy knitting to all! TLGB
September 1, 2008
Tucked In Angel Wings
Other than mailing the envelope, this year I can spend the rest of the afternoon doing household chores or better yet ..... knitting! I put my February Lady Sweater on the back burner while knitting the RSE angel scarf, so have taken that out to do nothing more than ..... FROG! I didn't care for the row of yo increases about every 7 stitches, so replaced them with kfb increases. Like the looks of those a lot better. I have one more row to knit and then I start the lace that goes from the underarms to the hem. I have the correct numbers of sts, so shouldn't have too many problems.
I'm looking through my many patterns for an idea for some socks for the month. Will probably start some with some MC Bearfoot in the Alpine (blue, green, purple & occasional brown) or some tussah silk/merino sock yarn from The Unique Sheep (shaded reds)....both were gifts from swap partners. I could really knit a pair of socks a week for a year and I might have most of my sock yarn stash gone ..... but more would probably be there in its place!
Happy knitting, everyone! TLGB
August 18, 2008
Progress on Angel RSE 2
This second pic is of the two dogs ..... can't believe it! The Brittany, Cozi, used to run by my knitting basket and just grab anything she could get ahold of on the run and take off. Now she won't touch my knitting if I hold it right in front of her nose. My little poodle has always left yarn/fiber alone..... but she really is eyeing it this time, isn't she?I'm about 60% finished with the scarf, but won't be able to do a lot this week as school starts.
Once again, I didn't have any socks on the needles, so I co for some socks with STR mediumweight in the Rolling Stone colorway .... haven't firmly decided on the pattern, but have started the top ribbing. As for the past year, I knitting both socks on ml ..... no ssd here! TLGB
August 11, 2008
I'm An Angel!
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.
August 8, 2008
Spring Forward Has Sprung
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. ¿QuiĆ©n 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
August 6, 2008
Knitting News
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!
August 4, 2008
Adamas Shawl Is Completed!
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.
August 1, 2008
Stash Over-enhancement
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
July 28, 2008
Ravelry Scarf Exchange
July 24, 2008
Knitting Update
Time to get some sleep .....happy knitting ...... TLGB!
July 20, 2008
RSE Completed!
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!
July 13, 2008
Socks That Rawk KAL
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
July 10, 2008
Latest Knitting
July 3, 2008
Back from Colorado, again!
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
June 25, 2008
Finished Works!
June 13, 2008
Estes Park Wool Market!
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