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!

Sunday, September 7, 2014

The Shopping-Yarn-Wagon

What's life like in the Yarn Wagon?  Five of us, traveling around Maine, scouting out yarn shops, and is there room for purchases?  Of course!!
Here's K packed away in the third row with "everything".

In Camden: The Cashmere Goat
In Rockland: Over the Rainbow Yarn.  We stumbled upon Knit Nite at the shop! And free wi-fi!

In Portland:  Tess' Designer Yarn
All earned the 5-star rating!

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Sock Crazies

Once upon a time, there was a sock pattern.
Maybe there were two or three, or dozens, but the construction of the sock was either toe-up or cuff-down.  Then there were holes.  Nasty feet wearing holes in the soles.  And then someone came up with an idea.  Why not knit the sock so the sole can be removed and replaced!  Yay!!  Excellent!!
I found the perfect project for a week of knitting with knitters.  Advice and encouragement, and a new technique.  Then I started:
Above:  This pattern I downloaded and it left me scratching my head.  Until I found the same pattern instructions in a book, with the design below.  It had a sentence or two extra which cleared my head-scratching, and I was on my way.  When wait!  Look at that lovely design above:  Two S's.  I thought it rather ugly, and when I looked at the photograph again, it was, indeed NOT two S's, but one S and one backwards S.  The CHART was wrong.  (I blindly followed the chart.) I couldn't stand it anymore, and even though I had knitters around me saying, "But it's so pretty!" I ripped it out, and started with the pattern in the book.
The technique?  First you knit the pink band around the foot, then you fill in the insole design. 
 Next you knit in the sole, and heel and then you start the circular part around the leg.
Not as complicated as it sounds.
I like!  I like the pattern better than the first, and I really appreciated the directions being complete.
One done.  NO rush for the second...:)
Half-Stranded Socks  by Anna Zilboorg  from Sock Knitting Master Class: Innovative Techniques & Patterns

Lament:  I'm happy with the sock, though I have yet to see a description of removing the sole to replace it.  Anyone?  Help!!

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