Monday, December 29, 2014

A Little Late, but Hopefully Not Forgotten

As I wonder where the past few months have gone, I wish everyone a Happy New Year!  And lots of wool, and time to knit in 2015.

As I look for some photos to document that I, indeed, haven't been idle in these past months, I found Yarn Harlot's repeat of how to accept a knitted gift.

Gifts for Knitters, day 24.It’s too late.  If you haven’t got anything by now, the only thing you can do from here is try to please your knitter another way. I give you a rerun.  I wrote this a few years ago, but it’s still darn true.
The Proper Way to Receive a Knitted Gift.1. Open the gift, and immediately say something positive.  (Suggestions are things like “Oh wow!” or “Oh my goodness!)
2. Hold up the item and smile broadly.
3. If you do not know what the item is, DO NOT SAY SO.
We understand that knitting can produce some unusual items, and that the nature of handmade objects can further complicate things.  If, after admiring the item for some time you are still not sure what it is, say something like “This is beautiful. Oh my gosh.  Can you show me how I should wear it? I want to do it justice.”
4.  After admiring and identifying the item, RUB IT ON YOUR FACE, or at the very least, cuddle it against your neck while saying something positive, like “Mmmmmm”.  Knitters love this.  It’s because we’ve been worried that you wouldn’t like it, and knitting is a tactile thing.   Lots of non-knitters find some textiles scratchy or uncomfortable, and we’re worried that will be you.  Making immediate physical contact with the item reassures us.
5. Pronounce the item  the best gift you have ever gotten.  Kiss or hug the knitter, and show the item off to at least one other person over the course of the day.
6. Place item in a place of honour, and continue to admire it at intervals, remarking (see gift re: Respect above) that you can’t believe that a knitter thought you were worth that much time.
DO NOT:
-Comment that it doesn’t fit.  This is not something you discuss today.  Maybe tomorrow. Or the day after. Or in a week.  Not today.  Your knitter has been busting a move for weeks or months for you.  They probably finished a hat at 2am and are a little fragile.  Save it.
-Similarly, do not say it is scratchy, or uncomfortable or not what you wanted.  Despite what some other non-knitters may have you think, knitting is a super expensive gift - and if someone gave you a Ferrari, you wouldn’t pout and tell them you wanted it in blue.
Now go forth and love your knitter.  They’re amazing.
She's amazing and definitely deserves FULL credit (http://www.yarnharlot.ca/2014/12/others-have-peace-thrust-upon-them/) for her amazing insight into the knitter's brain.  
Yes, Day 24 is too late, and I gave up on Day 22 and presented my daughter with the prospect that "someday" she would be given a new/in progress pullover, of the type she might wear next week on a cruise...

Where are those photos?  

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

the Rest of the Story

I tried!  Didn't WANT to unravel the top, so did my "fix it" trick.  
Pulled out the eaten hole area, see previous blog, knitted rows in pattern, and kitchener'ed the top and bottom together.  Below, you see the repair, and a noticeable row of kitchener.  Not sure if the kitchener stitches look that way because I twisted them, or if it's the twisted/untwisted re-used yarn.  I feel a definite ridge on the wrong side which makes me think I wasn't holding it correctly.  And I, especially, am not good at doing the reverse kitchener on the purl ribs...


Below is what the front looks like that was not damaged on the skirt.  

So, being the semi-perfectionist I unraveled the back from the top, and pulled out the kitchener stitches.
It's a good thing knitting is therapeutic!
With today's appointment, I expect to get in a half hour of knitting. :)

Monday, October 27, 2014

Good news, bad news (again)

First the BAD, BAD news. 
New dog, happy little girl doggie, one year old.
Second knit item attacked, and second circular needle severed.
This is the crime scene when I arrived home after being away for 6 hours.  

I didn't learn from the past incident, obviously, that all things knit need to be in plastic tubs.  She enjoys the feel of knitting, and that crunchy cable must be seductive.  

I understand!  I love the feel and the crispness of the cable and needles, but two Addi's are halved.  This one, the cable is severed in the middle meaning I can still use it as a straight needle for small projects, in a pinch.

The good news:  I felt I needed a reward after incident #1, and I purchased this lovely set of Symphonie Dreamz, which I have coveted since this summer when I purchased a single.  THESE are going to be protected from my dog's alter-ego!


No dogs were hurt in the process.  Shamed? YES!! 

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Bad dog!

Bad dog, and she doesn't even look guilty....  Found my blanket on the floor with a chewed apart Addi, and an almost chewed apart Dreamz.  It's hanging together by barely a thread!  Hope it will last (hopefully forever) or until I go round and round again and again.  No damage to the blanket itself, and it happened when I had two circular needles with picked up stitches all around the outer edge.

We have a "new" dog.  She's a shelter dog, and one year old.  Very nice but she likes to chew anything but her chew toy/bone.  How frustrating is that?
Her face is so dark, she looks cute when you see the whites of her eyes.
Hard to be upset with her, but...

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Diversion Socks

OH!! 
You beautiful colors, melting into each other, soft, strong,...  Can I make you last forever?

I'm stalling so that my knit class can follow along on the heel, but, alas, knit class, you are taking your time with sweet tomato heel, and I fear you'll never try out a heel flap.  You would think that 10 hours over a month would be sufficient, but time is running out, and I can't keep these out of my hands (even though I have five other projects beckoning).  

Pattern: Diversion by Kirsten Hall from Knitty, Winter 2009

Yarn: Hand-dye Effect by Regia,Light Fingering / 3 ply, 70% Wool, 25% Nylon, 5% Acrylic, 459 yards / 100 grams

Monday, September 29, 2014

Around we go, and where we stop...

Yes, that is to be expected of a blanket.  The center tree section is finished, and the first braid border is finished...  Not big enough for a "curl up on the sofa" blanket, so I imagine the two (intended) borders will be added.  I like!

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Weaving done

It's a long process, but SOMEONE has to do it!!  
Here's the first weft going in, and it was only after the second or third towel that I realized that the hem, done in a thinner thread (linen) became wider than the waffle weave.  Not sure why, but my guess is that waffle weave just puckers more!  

Then there is the end of the warp... such pretty colors... and I finally used the main warp color (teal) to make a little mat in almost plain weave.  I fooled around with the weaving, and created all sorts of tweeds.
And the final three.  Thirsty towels!
I wish I had stopped to order more of the teal, and make one in that.  But, alas, another time.
Or not!  I'm hoping I'll come up with something I can make with my knitting yarn stash.


Can't imagine using them.  Can't imagine gifting them.  But time will tell!

Friday, September 26, 2014

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Galapagos

Hubby sent this to me, to remind me of our trip in 2008.  That's my foot!  No iguanas were harmed...

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Clouds

The view at sunset!  I love the Southwest sunsets...
And minutes later, with the sun down... (Untouched photos.)

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Totah Festival

The Native American Festival in Farmington.  Pow-wow, market, color!


Let me know if this doesn't play for you!

Monday, September 22, 2014

Cousin Jeannie

With such determination, I return home with a 30% increase to my stash.  I vow NOT to buy more yarn for a year!  Or forever!  Can I do it?  Maybe...
But what's this?  Did I tell my cousin something before I left (in May)?  Jeannie is always sending me family photos and memorabilia.  There's a package from her when I arrive home.  And it's:
Her collection of Dutch wool, and pattern book.  She is SOOOO clever to sort through things, and send them on.  Sigh...
To my daughter:  Sorry, Honey!

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Plane Knitting



My knitting bag, gift from K, made by K, with thoughtful buttoned strap to attach around the arm of a chair, OR the seat in front.  Yes, there's yarn in there, but it also doubled as a lunch bag!
Thanks, K! (By the way, the print is delicate hummingbirds and a lacey drawstring.)

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Towel Two

Shown here, is Towel #2, almost finished.  Begins and ends with two yellow stripes.  The weft is dark purple.  So far, I think the first towel is too light (yellow) and the second is too dark (purple).  Maybe towel #3 will be "just right"!
I guess I don't have a color in mind.  But I love that waffle weave!  Little square pockets... Yum!

Friday, September 19, 2014

Waffle weave

The beginning, above, of the weaving project.  So far, so good!  Only one broken thread which I was able to catch before it disappeared around the back beam.  Tied it, and it held until I was able to weave it into a towel.  WHEW!  
My best decisions in life are made while weaving.  I sit and reflect, make plans, arrange my life... while moving shafts up and down, sliding the shuttle back and forth.
Towel #1 is woven with yellow threads in the weft.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Tale of two socks

Suffering from "Distracted" syndrome...  Alas, languishing in jars, desperate for a mate.  So sad.
See "Sweet Tomato Heel" below, by Cat Bordhi.  Interesting shape.  Hope it fits a little girl!

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

A day of peaches


How can you resist?  How can you make time to preserve them?  That's what I asked myself when a box of peaches showed up on the kitchen counter.  AND the neighbor appeared with a small bucket of tomatoes, and green peppers...  And it's true:  When you are busy, more things appear, and ... well, things get done.  
Somehow, working two part-time jobs hasn't slowed down my knitting.  But maybe I'm just fooling myself.  There are an array of UFO's occupying half of the sofa.  And here's one of them:
It's the Yggdrasil blanket.  The center square is finished, and the first braid is marching around the outside.  With 364 stitches to pick on the outer edge, that means at least 320 rows of border knitted at a right angle to the square.  It's looking like a blanket now, except it's all bunched up on a circular needle.  When this border is finished, it will lay flat sans needle, and can be admired.  (Sorry about the nasty dull color.  It's really a nice greenish olive... if you like olives.)
Updated my "miles to go" Knitmeter on September 9.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Viking and Scottish Knitting

After eight years of trying to visit a Viking Farm Museum off the island of Karmøy, I finally was there during their open season.  Several times I've walked past but no one was home, and the gates were locked.
Above:  From the church in the background to here is about 1/4 of the way and the steepest bit.
 It's a hike out there, no driving, but they have people showing and explaining the buildings, their structure and design, archery and sock making!
Interior of the lodge where everyone lived.  It was dark!

And a loom!

With an upside down ship for a roof, this building is where the above photos were taken.

 I hesitate to say it's knitting, because they use only one needle.  The finished sock is very dense, and, of course, coarse wool.  I was delighted!  Having family with me, I couldn't sit down and learn everything I needed to know, but then there's the internet!  You can, too!
 Click Here:   Viking Knitting

Finished Sock



The artist
The fencing around the village was intricate!  A type of weaving with only wood from the area.


While looking for viking knitting I discovered this little clip of Scottish knitters.  Look at those needles!!  And the yarn "woman in gray" is using reminds me of one of the first projects that got me back into knitting in 2006.  I wandered into a little shop in a little village in England, and the proprietor (a man) helped me figured out a complicated array of yarns that could be doubled and used with this crazy stuff that has pieces of paper (which is the best description I can give) hanging off of it.  My daughter thought she wanted the jacket on display, and I did my best. (BR=Before Ravelry)






 I'm sure it got left, intentionally, somewhere since it turned out so fluffy, and, yes, weird!  Or maybe she doesn't have the hot-pants to wear with it!  teehee



Saturday, September 13, 2014

Freeport and Yarn!

Not only are there THREE yarn shops in Freeport (maybe more?) but the place was yarn-bombed!




LLBean didn't turn me into a shopper.  The yarn shops:  Grace Robinson & Company, Mother of Purl, and Casco Bay Fiber Company.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Beach for Knitters

One day, our destination between yarn shops was Birch Beach State Park.  Sand, and lots of sun, and... DANG!  No needles.  I grabbed my knitting bag, and forgot that I had traded out needles.  Was I grumpy?  You bet!  
Made this a cache though.

I resorted to whittling driftwood down to size US1.  Gotta do what you gotta do!

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Accomplished Knitters

What can you knit in a week?
Here's PM's knitting: It's the bottoms of the front and back of a sweater.  When they are the same size, they are joined to knit in the round.
A knitter with socks, self-knit, of course.  Not knitted this week, but lovely!
And then there's the knitter of the socks, J, with one of her many projects.  This one she plans to keep!
And another knitter with many projects.  The beginning of one of them with the Emily Ocher circular cast-on.  To be the back of a sweater.
And our hostess with the lacy-est of all.  Limits the conversation, doesn't it?
And I with my half a sock, not even half... 
We didn't accomplish a lot of knitting, but it was wonderful having every evening devoted to talking knitting!  I recommend you get some friends together, take them away... our next get-away is in the works!

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