GerryART

Cow Report and a new Finished Project

2012-01-31T15:23:00.000-06:00

Happy to say The Farmer came to re-claim his herd.

It was after six o'clock and pitch black out before they began to arrive. Pick up truck after pick up truck.

In all, there must have been five or six trucks so there was plenty of help.

All the while Neighbor Nick had stood guard so those wandering cows wouldn't escape the backyard to scatter all over the neighborhood.

Nick there with cell in hand,

them, glaring at him for their confinement.

The Farmer and helpers set up a pipe rail fence across the backyard entry from Nick's garage to our fence.

They, then, proceeded to construct a chute from the backyard to a hastily built coral on Nick's driveway.

Those errant cows were kept in the make-shift coral until all were taken two-by-two back to the farm.

It was past eight o'clock before the last of them left.

How ya gonna keep 'em on the farm

once they've seen - - - - -

end-of-farm-report

*************

taaa-daaaa ! ! ! ! !

Stripe Study Shawl

Veera Välimäki

all 765 yards of silky goodness.

Didn't Hubby get a good pic of this shawl?

I think this is going to be worn alot ! ! !

[][][][][][][][][][][][]

Onward to my next knit project.

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

. . . . 'til the cows come home

2012-01-28T18:23:00.000-06:00

This was what we saw in our neighbor Nick's backyard when we came home this afternoon.

While we do live on the edge of our city,

we aren't exactly out in the country.

Nearest farm must be a mile or so away.

These guys had to travel a well-travel road to get to our neighborhood.

Nick phoned 911 before we got home

and was told Animal Control would be notified

[at least two hours ago]

and still no one has come to coral these guys.

There are ten of 'em.

Oh, Great! Now that it's pitch black outside someone's come to collect 'em.

+*+*+*+

Here's what happens when some blogger asked the question,

"Have you ever attempt to photo yourself for your blog?"

I thought I'd give it a try while

modeling my newly-knit shawlette.

Love the highlights on my glasses.

cropped:

My conclusion: it ain't easy.

Good thing I've got Hubby to get it right!!

hugs

♥

Finishing Kick

2012-01-24T15:58:00.000-06:00

There are loads of links to follow in this here post.

Just click on the text in color to find out more about it.

Say, "Hi!" to Gort.

Gort the Gym Bag Monster

a Rebecca Danger creation.

I knit him using my own hand-dyed wool.

Remember when I Kool-Aid dyed?

While he more than likely won't be hanging around any gym bag at this house,

he is wearing a loom-knit watch cap

and waiting for a new friend to come along.

I'm joining The Charminglochie in her monster kal in the month of February.

The Charminglockie, Kelley is podcasting from Aviemore, Scotland and is a gal who loves knitting monsters.

Click this second link to visit her blog.

February I'll be knitting Angus, the Attic Monster.

He'll be a great mate to hang around with Gort.

MVMVMVMVMVMVMVM

The Stockineete Zombies Rav Group is doing a kal for January-February

and I've already finished my

Shalom Cardi.

It's my first 'sweater' project since the very late 60's . . . .

1960s that is.

Don't know what I was thinking when I order this bulky yarn

in the color Coal

Did I not realize that Coal picks up every little speck of lint???????

This is one pattern that I'll be knitting again

very soon.

Most certainly in a better choice of color ! ! !

# # # # # # # # # # #

Okay, so here's another sweater

but does it count since it is a toddler-sized garment ?

I don't think it can compete in the amount of yardage knit.

Anyway,

say hello to Abagail

Knit just for the heck of it.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Oh, how I love knitting shawls and shawlettes.

They've re-placed sox for the time being.

One of the patterns, well, perhaps my favorite pattern

Multnomah

This one was knit with leftovers,

and I just l♥ve the way it turned out.

Doesn't the Feather & Fan pattern look great?

It's really a great go-to shawlette to grab on the way out the door.

~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~

My fifth finish for 2012

is The Hitchhiker Shawl

Martina Behm designed/named this based on

Douglas Adams‘ "The Hitchhiker‘s Guide to the Galaxy“.

Royal Purple

Regal Magenta

Powerful Reds & Oranges

aka

Throne Room

from the etsy shop:

Highland Handmades

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

I'm thinking there will be one more finish for January.

I'm knitting

1st Quarter Challenge at The Loopy Ewe

The challenge being knit any item

using a yarn with any percentage of silk.

Since I've not really knit with a yarn with a silk content

I thought I'd give it a try.

I'm knitting Stripe Study Shawl

using Cascade Yarns Hertiage Silk

85% Merino and 15% silk

Charcoal and Red.

I'll also be entering this one in the kal on

Knitting in Circles Rav Group

Hey, there's still time to enter

Just look at those prizes Aimee & Darren are

generously giving.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Whewwww ! ! ! !

Busy, busy.

It's now time for a cuppa Earl Grey.

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Jack Frost Must Be On Vacation

2012-01-07T09:50:00.000-06:00

'cause he sure has NOT made his presence known here in mid-Missouri.

65 degree F yesterday

Clear, blue skies

with a zillion contrails darting in every direction with destinations only to be dreamed about.

How do you like my newest coffee cup

Mr. GRRRR-Rinch

I love to watch this cartoon at least once during the Holidays.

Sets my mood :*)

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

Oh, I have to tell you.

I finished my first knitted project of 2012.

No Photo Yet

so you'll have to take my word for it.

LaLa's Simple Shawl

a free download on Ravelry

The pattern is a Garter Stitch, Stockinette Stitch, Eyelet kinda shawl.

Such a fun time knitting this, couldn't put it down.

.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.

Every one

Thank You So Much

for participating in our Giveaway.

It makes so much fun here at our house.

ANTICIPATION ! ! ! !

It is Wonderfully Exciting Fun ! ! ! !

Absolutely Love reading your Comments.

+-+-+-+-+-+-+

Sew Useful Designs

said:

"Happy 2012 gorgeous girl!!!

I'm going to de-clutter too sweetie,

and get organised!!

(must look that up in the dictionary first

though, as have forgotten what it actually means!!!)

I'm inspired and excited and looking forward to all the

creative goodness that I know this year will bring for

each of us!!

big hugs sweetie!

Vikki xoxoxoox"

Hubby Randomly plucked

Vikki's name

Right out of the top of

Mr. GRRRR-Rinch's head.

So, Vikki, email me your mailing address.

We want you to get your

'Saroyan Shawl'

just as soon as possible.

We'll get this loverly piece of knitting

in the mail to you Monday ! ! !

There's an email link in my sidebar > > > > > >

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Thanks again

sweet Friends

for making this such a fun time

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

hugs

It's 2012, did ya know?

2012-01-03T17:16:00.001-06:00

************

Hi,

how is everybody?

##############

Hope your holidays were as anticipated.

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

We had a TERRIFIC time here.

Older Daughter and Older Brother

came for the holidays

we had a high ol' family time.

Guess you all heard by now,

it's 2012

Twenty-twelve

Is this the year to make resolutions??

Or Not ! ! !

Everyone is going GREEN

- - - - - - - - -

No, I not vowing to go GREEN in oh-twelve

but will make an effort to de-clutter and de-stash.

Perhaps I should go with

the FIFO method.

First In, First Out

Or, maybe the alpha-numeric method.

The first quarter of oh-twelve would be concentrated on all items beginning with A-F

or items numbering more than 2-4

- - - - naw, takes tooooo much thought.

I hope to make my life simpler in 2012.

Less is more.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

What do you think of

the Saroyan Shawlette?

I knit it with the same yarn as my most recent giveaway.

Fiesta Yarns Baby Boom

in the very beautiful Tequila colorway.

Happy 2012 !

this loverly knit-by-me shawlette

could be YOURS

Leave a comment
Comments now closed ! ! !

Hubby will Randomly Pick The Winning Name

on Saturday January 7

and I'll get it out in the mail

on Monday, January 9

remember to leave a way for me to contact YOU!

Good Luck ! ! !

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

My Drawers

2011-12-20T12:29:00.000-06:00

Here's a peek in

a couple of my

Sock Drawers.

Ahhh, my Favorite color family !

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

YeeHaw, does Gerry love to knit sox,

or what . . .

*********************

Mostly my Grandmother's.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Short on conversation today,

but you are in my thoughts

this Holiday time.

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥

I ♥ Purple

2011-12-11T19:13:00.000-06:00

First time working with Malabrigo Lace weight yarn

I was concerned about the fabric - but have found it's fairly substantial.

Not lacy, just light weight

in this top-down seamless cardigan.

It's so simple,

just Stockinette stitch.

Check out my Rav Project Page for more about the ADRIFT pattern.

# # # # # # # # # # #

This cowl knit in Malabrigo Worsted

began as a slouchy beret.

Worsted weight yarn - slouchy - Gerry's head

do not make for a compatible outcome.

The Cable/Lace pattern [Nouveau Bohemia] is a real winner.

I l♥ve it.

Rather than frog the Slouchy

I decided to make it a cowl.

This is going to be great when winter really sets in.

Not only warm, but really soft and lovely feeling.

If you are interested in making either the

Nouveau Bohemia Beanie, Beret or Extra Slouchy Beret

check out Photo-Knit-Dog Designs.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

These purples

make my heart happy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥

It's All About Yarn - - -

2011-12-07T16:57:00.000-06:00

Yep, it is all about yarn

projects this post.

Let's begin

with

Into The Woods

Toe-up, Afterthought Heel,

Stockinette with a 2x2 ribbed cuff.

[2 knit stitches-2 purl stitches]

Hand dyed by

Highland Handmades

There is still one more skein of Highland Handmades in my Stash ! ! ! !

This time in

Royal Purple

Regal Magenta

Powerful Reds & Oranges

aka

Throne Room

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Also, began and finished

a scarf.

Yes, another Stockinette project.

This time using a Size 12 needle.

Great change from the Size 0

used knitting those socks.

A couple of yards of Stockinette Scarf ! !

A person could wrap it 'round the neck several times and be as warm as toast this winter.

>< <> >< <> ><

By the time I finished those two

I had to have

color.

I turned to my In-Progress

fingerless mitts.

I spent some time learning how to carry floats in colorway while working on these

Chivalry Fingerless Mitts

There are loads of how-to videos on The Net

including

Gail at todays agenda

Gail made a very good tutorial showing this

technique

on this particular post

btw, Gail is a most creative talent whether it's knitting or sewing

or where I first noticed her

HER FINGERNAILS ! ! ! !

LOVE HER ART FOR PAINTED NAILS ! ! !

Give her blog a look

leave her a comment

tell her I sent ya.

There's a rhythm to doing this . . .

if I could only keep that rhythm.

I'd be going along just fine

then

DANG ! ! !

back to the really concentrating to get going again.

But am truly happy to learn this technique.

Here is where I began just letting the floats, well, float for the five stitches between color changes.

Yesterday I learned to carry that ‘float’ along each of those five sts.

# # # # # # # # #

Cold weather has hit mid-MO.

Yesterday our first snow of the season fell.

Must of gotten about an inch of the white stuff.

Which is mostly gone today.

Yeah ! ! ! !

Sure glad I've knitted those half-dozen

shawlette/shawls these past six months.

Put another log on the fire ! ! !

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Stash Enhancement

2011-11-26T16:10:00.000-06:00

I've found video podcasts ! !

There are a number of video blogs, vlog, vidcasts ! ! !

No matter what you call e'm.

They're great ! !

What better way to show of knitting and the like

than with video ???

One of my favs is

The Fiberista Files

Heather is a knitter, dyer, independent business owner

who can be found on Raverly

One of my recent Stash Acquisitions is described, thus;

Tree Trunk Brown,

Conifer Green,

Big Bad Wolf Silver

with pops of Riding Hood Red ! ! !

Here it is

INTO THE WOODS ! ! ! !

skeined

This is Heather's

Sugar Maple Yarn Base

80% Superwash, 20% Nylon

Here is the skein opened so that you can view the dye sequence.

Views of either side of yarn cakes.

Thought you might like to see how this particular dye scheme knits up.

Toe-up, stockinette, afterthought heel, 2x-ribbed cuff

sox for Hubby.

Heather updates her shop periodically with her wonderful yarns.

Hey, spinners ! ! ! her fibers are beautiful, also.

She notifies us of her shop updates

via her vidcast.

If you interest has been tempted

why not check out her shop,

her video blog

and her shop.

Links to each are sprinkled throughout this post.

Check out her shop

HighlandHandmades

Now for more Turkey

gobble, gobble

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

This Afternoon

2011-11-23T18:49:00.000-06:00

This is what we did this afternoon

Hubby and I made a quick stop

B.K Bakery

on Missouri Blvd.

We had a cup of Highland Grog Coffee

and

Truffle Cheesecake

for me.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

for Hubby.

Happy Thanksgiving ! ! ! !

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥

WINNER, WINNER ! ! ! ! !

2011-11-18T09:42:00.000-06:00

Project: Stash

Evelyn's name was randomly

picked as the winner of my

Fiesta - Baby Boom Giveaway

Hubby and I got her pkg of yarn in the mail yesterday and Evelyn should receive it soon.

Why not jump over to her blog

Project: Stash

to check out her latest post of her

completed Evelyn Cowl

- - -

tell her I sent you.

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Fiesta - Baby Boom

2011-11-12T17:33:00.001-06:00

Have you ever used this yarn

Fiesta

Baby Boom

100% Extrafine Super Wash Merino

Sport / 5 ply (12 wpi)

Guage 28 sts x 32 rws = 4" using #4 needles

I've knit a pair of sox for Hubby

[using size #1 needle]

and they turned out great.

Wash them in the washer

and then lay them out to dry.

They're none the worse for wear.

This is what I have left -

I caked it and began knitting me a pair of sox.

NOPE!!!!

No can do.

My fingers refused to use this yarn ! ! ! !

Oh, I tried, believe me, I tried.

But no can do.

So . . . .

lucky for you.

If you want to give this yarn a try,

just leave a Comment letting me know.

No-reply-bloggers leave your email address in your Comment, please.

No International mailing, sorry.

If there are more than one of you

Hubby will be my Random Name Generator.

Let's make the Deadline, hmmm . . . .

We'll draw a name the morning of Wednesday the 16th

and send you an email to let you know.

******
Comments are now closed.
******

hugs

♥

Multnomah & Fibernymph Dye Works

2011-11-08T15:07:00.000-06:00

Hubby and I stepped out into the drizzle

to shoot a couple of pics

so I could show off my finished

Multnomah Shawl

Loverly ! ! ! !

Don't ya love these colors????

My fingers were so happy to knit with this yarn.

Lisa [click here for her blog/video podcasts]

Fibernymph Dye Works

[click here for her shop, gotta be quick when she updates

- so great the demand :*) ]

She has the most luscious yarn and colors.

Hot Cherry Pink

Storm

This shawl will be gettin' a whole lotta use,

don't cha know.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A Taste of Autumn

Last several days

has provided us with 3+" of much needed rain.

Still need one or two passes over the yard to

mulch up all those Oak and Sycamore leaves.

* * * * * * * * *

Can't you just imagine - - - -

opening these doors to find the

interior painted white,

a daybed at the rear wall

with quilts, and ruffly pillows, and snugly throws,

a table mounded with books and magazines,

or . . . . .

instead of mounded with all that

there would be my NookColor,

Netbook

and a hot pot of Earl Grey,

a China cup and saucer,

a scented candle or two, or three, or - - -

oh, not to worry, gals

there's lots and lots of chocolate.

Dream, Gerry, Dream

come, dream along side me ♥ ♥ ♥

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Knitted with Beads

2011-11-06T11:00:00.000-06:00

Video podcasts

have become my most recent pastime.

It's giving me the opportunity

to watch and learn from these

knitters/crocheters/spinners/dyers

who

are blogging using video rather than

the written word with photos.

Gives us the opportunity to see it ALL ! ! !

Love it ! ! !

You know what they say,

a picture is worth a thousand words . .

so true with the case of video podcasts.

Many of these video podcasters

also spin, using spindles and/or wheels,

there are independent dyers with online shops.

Just ask me how I know.

All are sharing and generous

with their fleece & fiber love & knowledge.

Look Out! ! ! It just may be catchy.

While watching a new-to-me vidcast/vlog

I saw

Aubrey of This Knits In The Bag

showing a recent completion - -

Lexington Waves Knitted Beaded Necklace

you can see the free pattern here on Ravelry

You know me,

never a new pattern/technique/yarn Gerry won't try.

Printed out a Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon

and shopped

for beads.

I did limit my purchase to beads

just for this project!!!!

Using leftover sock yarn

I made my first knitting-beading project.

Lexington Waves.

Then . . . .

Using left over yarn from Multnomah Shawl

- - - - - -

my second Lexington Waves Knitted Beaded Necklace

opps, I still have beads leftover.

Oh, oh. . .

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Speaking of Multnomah

here it is

just prior to going for a soak and

a session of blocking.

Flutterby-sort-a- beauty isn't it ! ! !

* * * * * * * * * * *

Have a wonderful family-filled Sunday.

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Accomplished ! !

2011-11-01T15:58:00.000-05:00

Another finish ! ! !

Another les Abeilles ! ! !

Took me seven days from start to finish ! !

This is a shawl rather than shawlette.

It measures 58-inch wing span

23-inch spine.

Now this pattern is going to the back of the pile.

Time for another pattern.

But, first here it is spread tip-to-tip.

Now a new pattern.

It's going to be Multnomah.

Take a look on Ravelry

Actually, I co the first day of September and bo the 28th of October.

Will post a pic as soon as I get it blocked.

I'm warning ya,

it's gorgeous

` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `

Also, had my haircut this afternoon.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

In the meantime, here's our first Blooming Christimas Cactus.

Looks like there are more to come.

Moving this inside after being outside all summer doesn't appear to have stunted it at all.

Now, if I can keep from over-watering seems we'll have blossoms for a number of weeks.

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

Today's temp is JUST PERFECT ! ! !

Right 'round seventy degrees F.

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

les Abeilles & les Abeilles

2011-10-25T16:21:00.001-05:00

A comparison of les Abeilles Shawlette blocked

and

les Abeilles Shawl at the end of Chart A

Making great progress on this shawl

am half-way through my skein of yarn

and

knitting like a fiend.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cold weather hit the other night

down to freezing

so we brought in the dozen pots of Amaryllis, Christmas and a couple of others

that spent the summer in the shade along side the garage.

The Amaryllis will stay in the garage for the winter as they do go dormant.

The Christmas Cactus and others will come upstairs to help brighten our winter.

Seems as though spending the summer outside agreed with this guy.

Looks like we'll be enjoying blooms from this for a while.

/ / \ \

Another find from the darkroom-to-craft-room.

From my Gramma's collection of books.

Printed 1940

= - = - = - = - = - =

We're listening to this audiobook

on loan from our local library.

We're thoroughly enjoying it.

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Boneyard

2011-10-22T14:53:00.000-05:00

Another FO

Finished this

Stephen West design:

[click above to link to Stephen's Designs]

Boneyard Shawl

[click above to link to pattern link]

a couple of weeks ago.

Blocked it right off

have been slow in blogging it.

Wingspan 50"

Spine 22"

Knit with:

KnitPics

Bare

Superwash Wool/Nylon Blend

and

ONline Linie Supersocke Silk

Both in Fingering weight

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Making excellent headway on

les Abeilles IV

am on Row 16 of 40 in Chart A

Chart B has about the same number of rows.

However, since this shawl is knit from the bottom edge toward the neck

each and every row is a decrease row.

The cast on for the first three les Abeilles was 242 sts.

the last row of Chart A had 158 sts.

The current shawl had 318 sts cast on.

Chart B is worked for another forty or so rows

and ends with something like fourteen sts

that are grafted together right at the nape of the neckline.

TMI ! TMI ! ! !

I know, too much information.

= + = + = + =

A Blast from the Past

Let's go back to the '70s

My handiwork from the 1970s

Yes, the flowers on each arm had one of those little mirrors in the centers.

This is one of a pair that I embroidered,

each daughter was given one.

Peace V Love

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥

Unblocked

2011-10-21T14:16:00.000-05:00

It's a finish ! ! !

Well, almosta finish.

Still needs to be blocked to show off the lovely lace pattern.

It's my third les Abeilles [translates to The Bees]

Beautiful Tomato color yarn

it's Madelinetosh Merino Lite

I bought mine online at

The Loopy Ewe

les Abeilles number four is on my needle right now ! ! !

I should be knitting rather than sitting in front of this laptop ! ! ! !

There are soo many more patterns

for this gal to knit

fer instance

As you can see

this yarn comes from Fibernymph Dye Works on Etsy.

It's in her Bounce base which is

superwash merino.

Oh, so, soft and squooshy.

The pattern - Reversing Leaves Sock is out of

Clara Parkes' The Knitter's Book of Wool

this wondrous sock design is created by Cat Bordhi

I'm still working on converting my darkroom and it's moving along ~ ~ ~

Found this in my files.

Am enjoy this lovely weather while it's still here.

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥

Lazy Afternoons

2011-10-13T18:29:00.000-05:00

Hubby and I spent two afternoons on the river bank.

This is the week of the Missouri River 340

One hundred-fifty canoe/kayak paddlers

race from Kansas City, Missouri to St. Charles, Missouri -

they'll travel 340 miles from start to finish.

This is the check-in station here at

the Jefferson City Carl Noren Access

across The River from our State Capitol.

We were invited to join our friends Leisa and Steve to spend the afternoon along side the Missouri River.

Mother Nature provided wonderful weather -

except for last night's rain/lightening storm.

A few of the canoeists were caught on The River during the downpour.

However, we enjoyed

Two Glorious Autumn Afternoons!

All that fresh air made for a lazy end to the day

and Max The Puppy is the master of the art of napping.

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Army Corps of Engineers

2011-10-11T18:16:00.000-05:00

Towns, farmers still recuperating from blown levee

Yarn, I've new Yarn ! ! !

2011-10-07T23:59:00.001-05:00

The Loopy Ewe Ravelry Group is having a

4th Quarter Challenge

* * * * *

The Challenge:

" You can knit anything you’d like,

as long as it uses at least one full skein of Madelinetosh,

in any of the Tosh yarn bases that we carry at The Loopy Ewe

(Sock, Merino Light, Vintage, Sport, DK and Pashmina).

You can knit up more than one skein in your project,

but not any less than a full skein."

My 4th Quarter Challenge yarn order from

The Loopy Ewe

arrived ! ! !

I Love It ! ! !

Before I show you

Let me explain,

one of the perks of shopping online at The Loopy Ewe

is that after your fifth order one becomes a 'Loopy Groupie'

and all the perks that go along with it.

This order put me over the top ! ! !

My Loopy Groupie welcoming gift

arrived inside this lovely vinyl project zippered bag

+ + + + + +

I received a skein of

Dream In Color

Everlasting

8-ply Sock Yarn

420 yds

100% Superwash Austrailian Merino Wool

Spun and Hand Dyed

in the color DIVE

a dark green varigated with navy and teal ! ! !

plus a very cool sock pattern

Lacy Pillar Socks

photo below

And, of course my 4th Quarter Challenge yarn

was included in the package.

Here's my Madelinetosh skein of Hand Dyed yarn

Merino Lite

100% Superwash Merino Wool

fingering weight

420 yards

in the color Tomato ! ! ! !

Hubby and I will wind both these yarns into cakes tomorrow.

However,

before I start any new project

I am going to finish the Stacy Shawl that is already in progress ! ! !

There ! I've said it . . . now does this mean I have to stick to it????

# # # # # # # #

Today's weather was the most, the absolute MOST beautiful day of our calendar year ! ! !

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥

Came Across These

2011-10-05T21:57:00.000-05:00

Came across these photos while straightening

my darkroom-turned-craft-room.

My photo of our older Granddaughter

***

now in her thirties.

And my photo of our younger Grandson

***

now in his twenties.

I am making headway putting my 'new' craft in order.

Though nothing was accomplished this afternoon.

Spent this gorgeous Autumn afternoon

on the

back porch of

The Old Brick House Deli

having a dee-lish lunch with

wonderful friends

[including daughter Debbie for a bit]

chatting about everything under the sun.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hope to snap a couple of photos of

my newest yarn stash enhancements

and at least one completed knitted project

so I can post them by week's end.

Enjoy this delightful weather while you can.

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Who Doesn't Love Maxine ! !

2011-10-02T13:43:00.000-05:00

Waaay back in May I was lucky enough to be picked the winner of Chris' big giveaway on

We Love Quilting

go check out her latest blog post, you may be THE lucky one this time ! ! !

This gal knows how to pack LOADS OF GOODNESS into any ol' box you put in front of her.

Chris sent me Maxine Fabric and I made drawstring project bags with some of the fabric.

My Multnomah Shawl

sits atop of a pink bag :*)

I found that these pink bags holds

my knit projects

more than any of the others

except perhaps maybe the green.

I've been busy painting my ex-darkroom

and now in the process of returning all that's been stored in the garage area back to whence it came.

Though I do hope to toss a bit here and there.

Spent a number of hours knitting on

my Boneyard Shawl

Should have this off the needle this evening

so that tomorrow I can give it a soak

and blocking.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Enjoy this wonderful Autumn color display !

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥

Hexie Puff 7 - Shawls 0

2011-09-24T10:57:00.001-05:00

Hexie Puffs 7 - Shawls 0

Yes, I've joined the swarm who are buzzing about

The BeeKeeper's Quilt

Seems the Queen Bee in this instance is

Tiny Owl Knits Stephanie Dosen

You've seen and heard about these 'tiny wonders' all over the interweb.

The Tiny Owl Knits Rav group

is more than 4,000 strong.

And, I know there are many, many more knitting these hexie puffies that aren't on this Rav group.

It's a simply wonderful way of knitting up those sock yarn scraps.

The happy aspect of this activity is that

every color and weight yarn is a candidate.

Caution: these lovely puffies are addictive ! ! ! ! !

That's the reason behind the lack of progress on my shawls.

They've had very little love showered on them this past week.

oh, oh, I know you want it!

here's the link to the Hexie Puff pattern

* ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ *

From my Grandma's Postcard Scrapbook

Notre Dame Cathedral

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

from her brother Raymond

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

hugs

Autumn Projects

2011-09-20T15:05:00.000-05:00

Our Sycamores have been dropping leaves for more than a month now
and a just beginning turning to rusts and golds.

Crepe Myrtles have been in bloom since the beginning of August and are as lovely as ever.
This is the first year they've come into their own.
Nature must have treated them just so.

These bee Sedum.
Have I told you how much I love my Sedum ?
They reward me from the time they break ground first thing in the Spring,
blooming during the summer,
fading to a beautiful brown for the winter months,
and acting as snow catchers in January and February
looking as though there's a flowerbed of snow flowers.

If I'm not mistaken DD#2 mentioned just last week that these are her most favorite flowers.
Isn't that so, sweetie?
ker-choo

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Guess you wanna know
What's In The Bag

First off is

Boneyard Shawlette

Knit in

Knit Picks Bare

Superwash Wool and Nylon

in a fingering weight

size 8 circular needle

What????? Size 8 ! ! ! ! !

First time in a very, very long time that I've knit with any needle this large.

- - - - - - -

What with Autumn here and cooler weather approaching

another shawlette is on the needles

Woooeeee ! !

Love these colors!

Love the yarn !

Fibernymph Dye Works

in the Bounce base of

80% Merino, 20% nylon

4-ply fingering

HOT CHERRY PINK

Storm Grey

This shawlette is designed by Kate Elsa

Multmomah

named such by Kate after

Multnomah County, Oregon

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

enjoy this beautiful time of year,
hugs

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Finished Cool Weather Goodies

2011-09-13T15:42:00.000-05:00

My Wish Shawl

La La's Knits

It was my very first time 808 yards was used in one project.

Wowzerrs ! ! ! !

I love the way it looks against my Salsa Red car.

Just so you can get an idea how big an 808-yard shawl can get

##############################

I like to keep my ears warm when that North Wind blows

So, I knit this

Hurricane Hat

A view from the top

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

and then

just because I can

I knit this Cowl

This pattern is in

Wendy D Johnson's newest book

Wendy Knits Lace

It's Elizabeth's Cowl

and

from the same book

Poor Poet's Fingerless Mitts

- - - - - - - -

Both the Hurricane Hat and Elizabeth's cowl

were knit from

Malabrigo

Worsted

kettle-dyed 100% Merino Wool

♥ ♥ ♥

I notice that there's a big color difference in

these photos

and will not even attempt to correct it at this point.

I want to get this posted . . NOW!

hugs

Finished My Wish Shawl

2011-09-02T14:13:00.003-05:00

Finished ! ! !

My Wish Shawl

Yarn: The Sanguine Gryphon - Bugga - Green Long-legged Fly

The Loopy Ewe - Solid Series - Butterscotch

That's it, that's all.

This shawl concludes my summer knitting.

# # # # # # # # # #

I've posted my photo to The Loopy Ewe's Photo Gallery and once the photos are published you'll be able to see all of

the Camp Loopy Project Three entries.

Hundreds upon hundreds of items knitted [some crocheted] and entered.

In the meantime, why not take a look at Project One and Project Two in the Photo Gallery

*************

Have already begun to think of autumn now that I've two shawls

as a result of The Loopy Ewe's Camp Loopy

In prep for fall knitting several projects have been 'frogged'.

The yarn re-wound and awaiting it's opportunity to become some finished project soon.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Thanks for visiting,

won't you leave a comment . . . .

hugs

Half-way

2011-08-26T17:03:00.001-05:00

Here's a pic of My Wish Shawl

This pattern is very easy.

While the first section is Stockinette Stitch

it's going pretty dern fast.

Not at all boring.

I'm into the 'lace' section and find it's moving along much faster than I imagined.

I'm looking forward to cooler weather this autumn.

Yummy ! ! ! !

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥

Camp Loopy Project 3

2011-08-21T11:07:00.000-05:00

My color choices for the last project for Camp Loopy this Summer.

Green Long-legged Fly, hand dyed by
independent dyer The Sanguine Gryphon
&
Sunshine Yellow - Solid Series
both purchased online from The Loopy Ewe

Our challenge for this project
is to

use 800 yards of yarn in one project of our choice.

Any of my usual projects would be a pair of sox
which normally uses somewhere 'round 400 yards.

Eight Hundred Yards sounds overwhelming.
Sure, there are cardigan sweaters that would use that much yardage,
but me knitting a sweater??????
I think not.
No way do I want to deal with having such a garment fit me or anyone.
Not on this gal's schedule.

After spending a week looking at pattern after pattern
- mostly in Ravelry's Pattern Section -
I've chosen
My Wish Shawl
designed my Laura Linneman of La La's Knits

All proceeds from this pattern until August 26 will be going to the wonderful LynnZimm
and her Make a Wish Fundraiser.

A shawl is something I can handle.
Our cast on date was August 15th
and the deadline is September 15th.

Photos will be posted when I hit the half-way mark.

♥ - ♥ ♥ - ♥ ♥ - ♥

hugs

Would Two Pair Make a Post

2011-08-18T13:44:00.002-05:00

If so,

then I've got a post !

This post is totally LINKED.

Where ever you see the purple-y font there is a link that

will take you to the very website I used.

Here's my

Camp Loopy Project 2

[organized by The Loopy Ewe]

that required the use of CABLES in our project.

Sunshine-Sunshine

Using The Loopy Ewe Solid Series yarns

Sunshine Yellow

Lime

I modified Cookie A's pattern Sunshine

I didn't want the cable pattern to continue on the foot portion of the sock so only the leg/cuff have cables.

This pair uses the afterthought heel

which I used Heather/Boutrosbabe's modified version

I saw on her Highland Hand's videocast.

It gives a very lovely rounded heel that fits so fine.

My Sunshine-Sunshine are posted on The Loopy Ewe Photo Gallery

under the heading

Camp Loopy - Project Two

My second pair for this post

is made with

Vesper Yarn Hand Dyed Sock yarn

in the colorway

Twitterpated.

This pair also uses the afterthought heel, without modification

which allowed me to continue the stripe-y without interruption.

You can learn all about it on

The Knit Girllls

They have posted a wonderfully instructive tutorial !

This is the very first pair of sock which I knit entirely of

Stockinette Stitch using the K2-P2 ribbed cuff.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

It appears the hot weather has relented to more fall-like temps

with lots of humidity.

But, I'll take the change.

hugs

MORE ! ! ! ! ! ! !

2011-07-28T14:49:00.002-05:00

Look what just arrived ! !

Top Designers include:

Cookie A.

- - love her designs including Pointelle that was in time-out so very long.

Nancy Bush

Anne Hanson

- - just knit her les Abeilles shawlette, twice

Véronik Avery

Deborah Newton

Evelyn A. Clark

Meg Swansen

Chrissy Gardiner

Katheryn Alexander

Pricsilla Gibson-Roberts

Eunny Jang

Mellisa Morgan-Oakes

Anna Ziloorg

Cat Bordhi

- - the gal who just changed my entire sock heel world - more about her shortly

Ann Budd - whose name is on the front cover

oh, that's not all folks.

There is also an Instructional DVD included ! ! !

I AM SO EAGER TO GET STARTED WITH SOCK KNITTING MASTER CLASS

I am a sock knitter, wait, I am a SOCK KNITTER

no, really

I AM A SOCK KNITTER ! ! ! ! !

Since Dianna introduced me to magic loop 2-at-a-time

and discovering Melissa Morgan-Oakes,

I love knitting sox.

Then Cookie A. designs entered my knitting life.

L-♥-V-E her designs and my sock drawers are filled with her designs.

Cat Bordhi entered my knitting a bit later in my knitting life.

However, this week she re-entered

with a GREAT BIG BANG ! ! !

If you knit socks

then you really have to take at look at

Cat's Sweet Tomato Heel Sock

I first read about it on Ravelry

and used the link provided.

Here's her video

After watching this amazing variation of a short row heel

known now as Cat's Sweet Tomato Heel

I found her Rav Group

Cat's Sweet Tomato Heel Socks

I could not resist immediately ordering her

ebook Cat's Sweet Tomato Heel Sock

If it's instant gratification you're craving, this is it ! ! !

This ebook was on my laptop within seconds of my purchase.

No only is this pdf format ebook on my laptop it is going onto my NookColor

just as soon as I show you my first attempt of

Cat's Sweet Tomato Heel Sock

Sweet ! ! !

My go-to sock technique

toe-up or cuff down !

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

keep warm

FO's & WiPs

2011-07-21T13:41:00.002-05:00

First

Finished Objects ! ! !

Hope it's just the perspective that make my ankles look HUGE

These are one of the 6-on-a-stick sockfest.

Wilton Cake Icing Dye dyed

Finished ! ! ! !

Next,

From the 6-on-a-sick project:

Pink

again, Wilton Cake Icing Dye dyed.

L♥ve 'em.

On to Works-in-Progress

again, the third and last pair in the 6-on-a-stick project.

Frogged [that's ripped out to non-knitters]

this pair from mid-foot back to the leg/cuff part of the sock.

I am trying a brand new technique I've learned.

The Afterthought Heel.

Afterthought being that a length of waste yarn [in this case a piece of blue yarn] is knit into the sock

at the point where the heel is to be knit

after the sock is knit to the

toe and finished.

At that point,

the stitches on either side of the waste yarn our picked up on needles and the heel is knit.

I'll post photos as I go along.

Next WiP:

Sunshine and Lime

my Camp Loopy Project II socks.

Knit from the toe up in stockinette stitch

will use the afterthought heel technique.

Project II for Camp Loopy must use

Cable Stitch in the design.

I will be knitting

a Cookie A designed sox by the name of

what else? but

SUNSHINE

a cables with lace pattern.

Lastly,

Very first purchase of

Knitterly Things Vesper Sock Yarn

I'd like for you to meet

Twitterpated

Yep, that my knitting life this past week or so

in a nutshell!

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥

Start to Finish

2011-07-14T17:25:00.002-05:00

The shaping of the shawlette amazes me.

This is my first shawlette pattern

it's an Anne Hanson pattern -

les Abeilles

found on her website Knitspot

on Ravelry

les Abeilles [the bees] is my first shawlette pattern

-not counting the kerchief neckwarmers -

and did not know what to expect . . . .

sooooo,

following directions cast on - - - - whoa, Nellie ! - - - -

242 stitches * * * Yikes !

that what it said, 242 sts.

As it turns out this is the lace edge that forms the 'angle' of the triangle.

Thereafter, every other row contains decreases

that self-shapes this shawlette.

It truly amazes me.

The shaping is apparent after knitting twenty or thirty rows.

The picot-like edging is knit as you go.

Easy-peasy lemon squeezy.

not added later with pick-up stitches.

Here's les Abeilles' progression - photo-by-photo.

A few rows past the lace portion and on to the garter stitch portion.

Look how this beauty is taking form.

Moving right along.

Only a dozen or so stitches remain on my circular.

Here is the set up for the three-needle bind off.

Bound off

showing pre-blocked size.

Being blocked.

Final size 37" across at neck edge and 20" center point.

Cast on July 1st and Blocked and finished July 7th.

I'm enjoying this pattern. So easy to follow Anne's instructions

and the charts are large enough to see.

This pattern will be used again and again.

Great for gifting.

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥

Vesper Yarn

2011-07-09T13:00:00.000-05:00

Learned about this yarn while following

The Knit Girllls

video podcasts.

I believe they have influence over me.

Just found them last month and have been watching their current episodes

while catching up on their past video casts

one a night.

So, about this yarn.

Saw these on The Knit Girllls and, of course,

had to have some.

I'm going to knit them toe-up

with an afterthought heel

- this will be my first attempt at them,

however, watching Leslie's tutorial I know I can do. . .

well, she makes it look easy.
Her video is excellent!

One more thing with these sox,

I am going to knit them in stockinette stitch.
I've not knit an entire sock this way before.
Will have to pay attention to the fit.

Now, who dyed these great colors?

These are Vesper Sock yarn

100% Superwash Merino wool

Self-striping of course.

Dyed by Julia Vesper

Knitterly Things

I can't get these on my needle fast enough.

hugs

♥ ♥ ♥