tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349572272024-03-12T23:36:00.840-07:00Thread, String and the rest of itCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-66411660389249186122013-01-20T17:00:00.000-08:002013-01-20T17:00:13.172-08:00Update<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Surprise! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I felt I should drop in to report a few momentous events this past year. The Photographer and I became first-time Grandparents this past November. Not under the most ideal of circumstances...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our youngest daughter and her husband's first baby was due February 12, 2013 but the little one decided she just had to come early - the middle of November. Three months premature, it was very scary but Mother and Baby Girl came through just fine. Baby weighed 2 lbs. 4oz at birth but is now up to 5lbs at two months old. Doctors say she is perfectly healthy if small. We are all so grateful considering what might have been. (I haven't been cleared to post photos of Baby Girl but you know we have lots and lots!)</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And on a sad note we had to put our beautiful dog Annie down on November 19th. She had cancer and at 13 she was just to old to put through chemo. Even if she was old and deaf it was an incredibly hard decision. I miss her constantly, so many little things during each day remind me she's not here anymore.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHlK7d6NaMRFiNbiZMTiwit_6YgFkjg-82OFjjhg3Mba44OjrmWFZ1UVvUTU8uft9C7l7l2JzrHRYtgMoSfKmojdT25YUOeKAWgs7anjj_b7LpxfeZj4A1yO6Vis0oo7IXVYQ/s1600/Anine_side+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHlK7d6NaMRFiNbiZMTiwit_6YgFkjg-82OFjjhg3Mba44OjrmWFZ1UVvUTU8uft9C7l7l2JzrHRYtgMoSfKmojdT25YUOeKAWgs7anjj_b7LpxfeZj4A1yO6Vis0oo7IXVYQ/s320/Anine_side+view.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm still knitting; just terrible at taking the time to document finished items. I don't blog about them and I don't put them on Ravelry. I keep trying but... I guess I'm lazy? I did find an app for my iphone called Yarma that let me send photos directly to my Ravelry projects, doesn't seem to be helping/forcing me to put up my knitting items. Now if they'd write an app that took pictures for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">BlackJack is the new black cat in the house. (we just call him Jack) He was adopted from the Las Vegas Humane Society by his second owner. When he couldn't keep him, we saw the posting on Craig's List right before Easter and went and fell in love with this tiny little black furball. He now is grown and surprised us when his fur started to get longer and longer and he turned into a long haired cat. (He has long-black hair over white skin - have you ever heard of that?) Jack keeps our older short-haired black cat, Sam, in shape. The two of them are chasing each other all over the house.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hopefully, it won't be another two years before I post. </span><br />
<br />
<br />CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-78255618630701095232010-08-12T11:53:00.000-07:002010-09-12T12:36:41.095-07:00where was I...<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Saying, "Things have been busy around here" is quite an understatement! </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4891470353/" title="Cathy_300_0975-2 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img alt="Cathy_300_0975-2" height="392" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4891470353_f735edd1cd.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Last Christmas I made everyone at the Shop similar project bags for Christmas; they were so popular I was ask to put some up for sale. They've been selling fast enough that sewing has been using up much of my free time. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The hardest part of making these bags is finding zippers in colors that work with my fabrics. I'd never noticed but zipper manufacturers don't change their colors to keep up with the changing fabric pallets. (Most blue zipper colors are stuck in the grayed out 1980's hues, for example.) Wonder why these zipper companies are so out of touch with what fabric is currently on the market?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4891463667/" title="Cathy_300_0961-2 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img alt="Cathy_300_0961-2" height="287" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4891463667_71e7ebe7b6.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've still been knitting but getting items finished, blocked and photographed has really been neglected. My latest FO is a shawl from the pattern <a href="http://www.kelbournewoolens.com/blog/?p=72">Springtime Bandit</a> knit in <a href="http://www.kelbournewoolens.com/canopyfingering.html">Canopy Fingering Weight Yarn</a>. Of course, I didn't knit the pattern with the right weight yarn; the pattern is written for a worsted weight.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4892060154/" title="Cathy_300_0959-2 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img alt="Cathy_300_0959-2" height="332" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4892060154_925bdf3258.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The pattern was knit as written except I did 16 repeats of the Body Chart. Using two skeins of Canopy I finished with just a few inches of yarn left. (I hate that nervous knitting when you're worried about running out of yarn!?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4891460305/" title="Cathy_300_0954-2 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img alt="Cathy_300_0954-2" height="332" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4891460305_c58d20e786.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I used the Macaw colorway; these photos don't do it justice. This yarn in the hank looks very different from the knitted item. This colorway has a prismatic color shift depending from which direction you look at it. I've never seen a yarn do this before. Oh, and I have to mention the yarn is a dream to knit with, never had one split stitch!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4109803956/" title="Ty by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img alt="Ty" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2671/4109803956_7d2031955e.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We lost our 13 year old Siamese, Ty, last week. We'd been running Cat Hospice upstairs for him the past six months so it wasn't a surprise. He had a degenerative disease called Cerebellar Abiotrophy and lost most of the use of his hind legs. We sure miss him, he was a very loving Boy.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3463787236/" title="Ty and wheel by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img alt="Ty and wheel" height="500" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3524/3463787236_522b5bbb99.jpg" width="365" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-56305745650770009492010-01-29T12:17:00.000-08:002010-01-29T12:17:43.690-08:00Milkweed ProjectMy submission to the Milk Weed Project is posted <a href="http://sticksandstitches.squarespace.com/the-milkweed-pod/2010/1/25/cathy-dery-california-united-states.html">here</a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-89102284104647870552009-11-16T09:01:00.000-08:002009-11-16T09:33:07.354-08:00Little Entrelac BagWhen I looked through the new Interweave's Holiday Gifts magazine and saw Susan Lawrence's <a href="http://www.interweaveknits.com/holiday/holidaygifts2009/bonus-photos/Little-Entrelac-Bags.asp">Little Entrelac Bags</a> pattern I knew I was making it as soon as I got home.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4109803734/" title="little entrelac bag by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/4109803734_5968312474.jpg" width="407" height="500" alt="little entrelac bag" /></a><br />It was a fun quick project with Noro Kureyon. The pattern called for a twisted cord, I made a square cord on a <a href="http://kws.atlantia.sca.org/photos/lucet/">Lucet</a> with several strands of thread and pearl cotton. The hardest part has been finding a button for the drawstring.<br /><br />I have other finished objects but they all need a little something before I take pictures and blog about them.<br /><br /><a href="http://ysolda.com/store/">Ysolda Teague</a> has some great patterns and I'm drawn to her <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/ysolda-teague-designs">patterns on Ravelry</a>. There's one through that always makes me smile and remember some mystery books I've read. Have you heard of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aunt-Dimity-Detective-Nancy-Atherton/dp/0142001546/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1258392133&sr=8-7-spell#reader_0142001546">Aunt Dimity books</a> by Nancy Atherton? The main character has a knit bunny from her childhood that was made for her by Aunt Dimity who lived in England. Well, Ysolda has a knit bunny pattern called <a href="http://ysolda.com/store/toys/sophie/">Sophie</a> that is exactly the bunny I envisioned while reading. It makes me smile every time I come across this pattern.<br />(This just proves that you can play "7 Degrees to Knitting" with anything.)<br /><br />The sun is so low in the south now that it comes further into the house than any other time of the year. The cats are loving it! They follow the sun around the living room during the day. Bright sunlight, the best way to photograph our Sam.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4109803864/" title="Sam by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/4109803864_74043f47a1.jpg" width="500" height="420" alt="Sam" /></a><br /><br />Old man Ty really loves the heat.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4109803956/" title="Ty by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2671/4109803956_7d2031955e.jpg" width="370" height="500" alt="Ty" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-91073218448721963712009-11-08T16:21:00.000-08:002009-11-08T17:04:55.606-08:00Lambtown 2009Last month the Photographer and I headed up state to attend <a href="http://www.lambtown.com/">Lambtown</a> in Dixon, California, west of Sacramento. <br /><br />There was Sheep Judging<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4086790899/" title="Judging by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3527/4086790899_14a41b7727.jpg" width="425" height="500" alt="Judging" /></a><br /><br />Strolling Alpacas<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4087541054/" title="strolling alpaca 2 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2534/4087541054_960535b03e.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="strolling alpaca 2" /></a><br /><br />Penned sheep ready for dog herding trials<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4086786269/" title="sheep penned for dog herding by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2671/4086786269_a6002e9f55.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="sheep penned for dog herding" /></a><br /><br />The Fiber Show<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4087540058/" title="Lambtown fiber show by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2661/4087540058_c8fa31ae22.jpg" width="500" height="328" alt="Lambtown fiber show" /></a><br />The seated woman in blue is Shari McKelvy of <a href="http://www.morrofleeceworks.com/">Morro Fleece Works</a>.<br /><br />The view from the back of the building<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4086781435/" title="Lambtown 2009 Fiber Hall by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2708/4086781435_ea7c3a12d6.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Lambtown 2009 Fiber Hall" /></a><br /><br />A rare breed of sheep (sorry I've forgotten the breed name) whose coat was like bristles. The man said there was no known use for the fiber; the Photographer throught it would be perfect for bristle paint brushes.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4086789293/" title="stiff bristle coated sheep 2 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2720/4086789293_c7971764d5.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="stiff bristle coated sheep 2" /></a><br />That coat is not soft at all, felt more like a hair brush!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4087546442/" title="stiff bristle coated sheep by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/4087546442_085051879b.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="stiff bristle coated sheep" /></a><br /><br />Angora Goat - look at that FACE!! (Is that really an Angora or Mohair Goat?)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4086788661/" title="Angora Goat by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2761/4086788661_432e29927a.jpg" width="368" height="500" alt="Angora Goat" /></a><br /><br />Alpaca Show<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4086787945/" title="Alpaca by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/4086787945_6cfdbfb70c.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="Alpaca" /></a><br /><br />I found three bags of Alpaca fleece on display near the pens. There was the most gorgeous black fleece that I coveted the moment I saw it. I went around asking who owned it until I found her; the fleece was brought for display but she was happy to sell it to me. (I walked it right over to Morro Fleece Works and saved the cost of shipping) The beautiful, super-soft fiber was from Midnight, the black boy in the center below. (That's him from the rear in the above photo)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4086787049/" title="Midnight by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/4086787049_edff66ff6b.jpg" width="421" height="500" alt="Midnight" /></a><br /><br />And here I am having a wonderful stroll, third time around, in the Fiber Show.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/4087539216/" title="Lambtown booth by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2742/4087539216_e8048eefac.jpg" width="368" height="500" alt="Lambtown booth" /></a><br /><br />There was a wonderful Sheep to Shawl going on that I wish I had pictures of. Looked like there were eight teams - that's the largest S2S I've ever seen. It was fun to look at all the wheels, drum carders and looms.CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-78627944991618028142009-09-10T14:56:00.000-07:002009-09-14T15:39:52.548-07:00Charity Knitting ReportI usually have many projects going at once but for some reason four Charity Projects seem to have gotten finished one after another. <br /><br />The first were the Camo Hats for the Troops<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3920313305/" title="Camo Hats for Troops by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2495/3920313305_f59d3b8e74.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Camo Hats for Troops" /></a><br />These Hats are being collected at <a href="http://www.twosistersandewe.com/index.html">Two Sister and Ewe</a>. Two Customers, one in the Military herself and the other a Military Wife, are sending these hats to Troops in Iraq. The Shop stocked Camouflage acrylic yarn just for this project. I got two hats out of one ball of this worsted weight yarn. <br /><br />The second project or projects were my <a href="http://orphan.org/index.php?id=40">Red Scarf Project</a> donations this year. Two Sisters has a collection basket for this Orphan Foundation of America project. They'll mail them all in the beginning of December. I hope we have Red Scarves everywhere. (Several years ago The Shop was the collection point for Pink Scarves that were going to be sold at the Breast Cancer Walk with all the money going to the <a href="http://ww5.komen.org/">Susan Komen Fund</a>. I never saw so much Pink in one place in my life!)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3921097600/" title="Reversible Herringbone Rib Scarf by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/3921097600_1533d51f2b.jpg" width="304" height="500" alt="Reversible Herringbone Rib Scarf" /></a><br />My first scarf is the <a href="http://lifesastitch.typepad.com/">Li's Reversible Herringbone Scarf</a>. This is a very nice pattern - write to Li if you'd like her free pattern. <br />Pattern close-up.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3921097424/" title="Reversible Herringbone Rib Scarf close-up by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/3921097424_290650cd38.jpg" width="470" height="500" alt="Reversible Herringbone Rib Scarf close-up" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3921097222/" title="Cashmere Scarf Like Scarf by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2587/3921097222_7b69aaafa1.jpg" width="266" height="500" alt="Cashmere Scarf Like Scarf" /></a><br />My second Red Scarf is made from the Pattern "Men's Cashmere Scarf" in Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. Of course, I didn't use cashmere yarn both of these scarves are made with Marble Yarn from James G. Brett.(I was several rows into this pattern when I realized it is nearly identical to Yarn Harlot's Handspun Scarf pattern that I finished just a few weeks ago. I wonder if both authors are aware of how similar their patterns are?)<br /><br />I recently had a Birthday lunch with my Sister and her daughters and grandchildren and my daughters (neither have children, not for lack of my encouragement!) Here is a photo of my great-nephew Joey (2.5 years)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3921098188/" title="Joey by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2676/3921098188_43ffeea5b3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Joey" /></a><br />and my newest great-niece Lily<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3920313095/" title="Lily by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2568/3920313095_db3da768dd.jpg" width="331" height="500" alt="Lily" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-17575439644512772372009-08-21T19:09:00.001-07:002009-08-21T19:59:02.430-07:00A Few Finished ThingsMy handspun scarf has been finished for awhile but I finally got around to blocking it. Pattern is the Yarn Harlots <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2006/10/12/one_row_handspun_scarf.html">One Row Handspun Scarf</a>.<br />Ravelry <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/one-row-handspun-scarf">Link</a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3823155045/" title="handspun ribbed scarf by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3823155045_54ed77d577.jpg" width="500" height="307" alt="handspun ribbed scarf" /></a><br /><br />This picture has the truest colors.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3608027061/" title="2handspun scarf by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3608027061_b27494eaf2.jpg" width="356" height="500" alt="2handspun scarf" /></a><br /><br />and a full length shot<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3823958886/" title="Handspun ribbed scarf 2 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3823958886_d0c525f801.jpg" width="500" height="138" alt="Handspun ribbed scarf 2" /></a><br /><br />The second finished object is a Flame Stitch Shawl made from a new 75% Bamboo fingering weight yarn from SRK called "<a href="http://www.kertzer.com/Yarns/OnYourToesBamboo/tabid/144/Default.aspx">On Your Toes</a>." This is a very soft yarn; fabulous to knit. The stitch pattern was given to me by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/sdaht">SDAHT</a> on Ravelry. I designed this scarf not realizing that it was the same stitch pattern I'd used for my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/CC123/shetland-triangle">Evelyn Clark's Shetland Triangle</a> until I'd knit a full pattern repeat.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3843672323/" title="flame stitch shawl by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2475/3843672323_87985ff78d.jpg" width="500" height="158" alt="flame stitch shawl" /></a><br /><br />the scalloped edge (this photo shows the best stitch definition)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3843672455/" title="flame stitch shawl edge by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2674/3843672455_56f1e3e30c.jpg" width="500" height="266" alt="flame stitch shawl edge" /></a><br /><br />and the backlit shot<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3823959174/" title="Flame Stitch Scarf back light by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2489/3823959174_a1c7c3b94c.jpg" width="372" height="500" alt="Flame Stitch Scarf back light" /></a><br /><br />Lastly, Charity Knitting: I've been knitting caps for a friend's church that has a few people going to Tibet. I don't know why they're going but they wanted to take something for the children but they are only allowed to take one carry-on bag. It was decided that knit hats could be tucked into any empty spots in their luggage. I've knit two hats for them to take.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3844462138/" title="charity hat by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3844462138_59ab3e5b20.jpg" width="445" height="500" alt="charity hat" /></a> <br /><br />And the <a href="http://orphan.org/index.php?id=40">Red Scarf Project</a>. This is my second year knitting these red scarves. Last year, who knows why, my scarves were crocheted. This year I'm back to knitting scarves using <a href="http://www.kertzer.com/Default.aspx?tabid=68">Marble Yarn</a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3823156145/" title="Marble Yarn by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/3823156145_9d98ac43f7.jpg" width="363" height="500" alt="Marble Yarn" /></a><br /><br />I'm making <a href="http://lifesastitch.typepad.com/">Li's Reversible Herringbone Rib Scarf</a>. (Leave a comment on her blog asking for this free pattern)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3823959664/" title="Reversible Herringbone Rib Scarf 2 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3823959664_aafacc238a.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Reversible Herringbone Rib Scarf 2" /></a><br /><br />This is a great pattern that is interesting to knit but not so difficult that you can't watch TV. <br /><br />And I stumbled over a display of Hatch Peppers while in our local Bristol Farms. I've always wanted to go the the Hatch Chili Festival this is as close as I've ever gotten.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3844518000/" title="Hatch Peppers by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/3844518000_b1112f5da1.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="Hatch Peppers" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-35909341036479405542009-08-06T11:52:00.000-07:002009-08-06T12:20:20.833-07:00Sample KnittingOne of the Perks of working in a Yarn Shop is that you are handed yarn and get to knit things that you might never knit for yourself. I was handed a One Pound Bag of Pagewood Farm's Sock Bites and told to knit samples. Here's what the nearly 1200 yards of fingering weight yarn looks like out of the bag.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3795251221/" title="Pagewood Farm Sock Bites by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/3795251221_da838dfe62.jpg" width="500" height="412" alt="Pagewood Farm Sock Bites" /></a><br />What can you make with a bag of sock leftovers???<br />Of course, my first was a bit of Entrelac.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3795251669/" title="Entrelac Sample by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3795251669_771b5415f7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Entrelac Sample" /></a><br /><br />Several sizes of Mitered Squares was my next thought.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3796072004/" title="Mitered Squares Sample by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2430/3796072004_d9e044fe64.jpg" width="500" height="404" alt="Mitered Squares Sample" /></a><br />Sorry about the strings and unblocked look.<br /><br />Many people have been making Barn Raising Squares with their sock left overs which means Sock Bites would be perfect for this project.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3796071530/" title="Barn Raising Sample by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/3796071530_c706b259b9.jpg" width="500" height="479" alt="Barn Raising Sample" /></a><br />There are several varieties of sock yarn from PageWood Farm so some squares lay flatter than others.<br /><br />My most recent idea was the Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3796072216/" title="Chevron Scarf Sample by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2639/3796072216_42fe09d2c1.jpg" width="500" height="469" alt="Chevron Scarf Sample" /></a><br /><br />I still have lots of yarn left.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3795252349/" title="Sock Bites left overs by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3795252349_a3f25f5b97.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Sock Bites left overs" /></a><br />I'd love some other sample project suggestions.<br /><br /><br /><br />Mean while out in the garden...<br /><br />The Dill has gone to seed. Doesn't it remind you of lace?<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3796072660/" title="Dill Lace by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2478/3796072660_c07c02981a.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="Dill Lace" /></a><br />(or is that just me with knitting on the brain??)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3795252601/" title="Flowers by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/3795252601_0f156e67ab.jpg" width="500" height="401" alt="Flowers" /></a><br />I'm drawing a blank on the name of this plant at the moment. Anyone??<br /><br />Looking Southwest through the Jacaranda in the front.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3795252507/" title="Jacaranda by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/3795252507_ced47e5794.jpg" width="366" height="500" alt="Jacaranda" /></a><br />Good thing this is a tight shot otherwise you'd see all the dead lawn! The water restrictions here are tough; we're only watering the large trees in the landscape.<br /><br />One of the Cycads in the backyard. I love the color and texture in this photo. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3795252419/" title="Cycad by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/3795252419_9a60069dd0.jpg" width="500" height="321" alt="Cycad" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-24386245515984541502009-07-27T13:45:00.000-07:002009-07-27T14:22:38.375-07:00Wildlife in the CityOK - knitting stuff first...<br /><br />Using my hand-dyed Superwash BFL from <a href="http://wool2dye4.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=303&osCsid=755d437039663b13f0ea1cdf403c1201">Yarn2Dye4</a> I made Evelyn Clark's Shetland Triangle from Wrap Style. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3762165037/" title="Shetland Triangle by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3762165037_9a0852797e.jpg" width="500" height="408" alt="Shetland Triangle" /></a><br />I did 11 repeats, 3 more than the pattern called for. The pattern was easy to memorize and a very quick knit. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3762963044/" title="Shetland Triangle closeup by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3762963044_b027c1a3ef_b.jpg" width="1024" height="680" alt="Shetland Triangle closeup" /></a> Bind off loosely is an understatement. I knit this with a size 6 needle and bound off with a size 10 which still wasn't loose enough; the bind-off was too tight to get the edging points as shown in the book. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3762962376/" title="Shetland Triangle edge detail by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2509/3762962376_0e988ece51.jpg" width="400" height="500" alt="Shetland Triangle edge detail" /></a> <br />Other than that I'm very happy with how it turned out.<br /><br />Before blocking it looked more like I was knitting an egg crate than lace.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3762963304/" title="Shetland Triangle pre-blocking by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/3762963304_c05d4620c9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Shetland Triangle pre-blocking" /></a><br /><br />For living in the city we have our fair share of wildlife in the backyard. There are lizards everywhere eating every bug they can find. I had very few snails or aphids this past Spring and very little catterpiller damage on any of my greens. Yesterday while going in the back door I noticed a baby right near the back door at eye level. (for size reference the medallion is the size of a dinner plate)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3762164223/" title="baby lizard perspective by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2450/3762164223_6b2df49f01.jpg" width="322" height="500" alt="baby lizard perspective" /></a><br /><br />He was such a perfect minature.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3762962076/" title="baby lizard by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3510/3762962076_0d7388e847.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="baby lizard" /></a><br />Can you believe he just stayed there through his photo session with The Photographer never moving except for a slow, infrequent blink. Did you see those TOES!!!<br /><br />And don't get me started on the blasted squirrel!!! I haven't gotten to a ripe tomato ahead of him. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3762164091/" title="squirrel damage by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3762164091_f0f25c4aac.jpg" width="500" height="363" alt="squirrel damage" /></a><br />I feeling like I'm living in a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGNIYEYWxm0">Chip and Dale Cartoon</a>. I've started cutting tomato clusters the second I see any warming in their color.<br />I may not get the whole "vine-ripened taste" but I'll have some of my own tomatoes! Blasted *#@%^* Squirrels!CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-40548955194863713342009-07-23T14:14:00.000-07:002009-07-23T14:21:14.727-07:00Nerd Tendencies - your time has come!Somehow during the Michael Jackson news blitz over the past month this gem went un-noticed. My daughter called this speech by John Hodgman at the Radio & TV Correspondents dinner to my attention. If you have any Nerd tendencies you'll really enjoy this speech.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yW7OPByRGDY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yW7OPByRGDY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Hope you enjoy it as much as I (a true SciFi loving geek) did.CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-22049864728315627242009-07-20T13:31:00.000-07:002009-07-20T13:53:28.714-07:00Still Around, Still KnittingYes, I'm still alive... and feeling wonderful! Dr. changed my thyroid level and some supplements and I'm feeling so full of energy that it's hard to sit still long enough to compose a blog entry. I've finished a few things, the pictures are still in my camera and will make it here eventually.<br /><br />I've also been running an evening Summer Knitting Program at a local Library which has been a lot of fun. Mostly new or new-ish knitters so lots of problem solving on my part.<br /><br />Personally, I've several lace projects going and a couple of socks.<br /><br />My secret Knitty blue project was a dismal failure. I was making, for The Photographer, <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall08/PATTretrofit.html">Retrofit</a> which is a somewhat slim fitting sweater. I made it from measurements I took a year ago since I wanted it to be a Father's Day surprise. His shoulders didn't fit by two sizes and around chest measurement needed to be the next size up. (The smaller sizes really are fitted.) Simply a disaster - the whole way round! The yarn is now back in hanks; it really didn't want to be that sweater.<br /><br />Next time I'll have pictures, promise.<br /><br />Annie says, Hey.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3740524400/" title="Annie Salute by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3445/3740524400_f684a2dd5e_o.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="Annie Salute" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-20043875756240089672009-06-08T14:12:00.000-07:002009-06-08T15:01:31.946-07:00Sorry, I'm Boring lately!I'm too boring for Blogging. Lately, nothing I'm knitting is worth it. Two out of three projects look the same as the last time they were photographed. <a href="http://knittingasfastasican.com/2009/ink-spot/">Ink Spot</a>, started the second side which looks the same as the first. <a href="http://sticksandstitches.squarespace.com/the-milkweed-project-you-p/"> Milkweed project</a> is about three quarters done but looks like unblocked lace does. The un-named Knitty project, I'm on "that island" knitters dread.<br /><br />I did knit up a sample for the shop in an Organic Cotton.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3608028077/" title="diagonal dishcloth by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3608028077_7fb84b6955.jpg" width="470" height="500" alt="diagonal dishcloth" /></a><br /><br />This is the <a href="http://eloomanator.eloomanation.com/docs/Eloomanator_Diagonal_Knit_Dishcloth.pdf">eloomanator Diagonal Knit Dishcloth</a>.<br />and a close-up.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3608028953/" title="diagonal closeup by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/3608028953_09aca6936f_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="diagonal closeup" /></a><br />It was a quick knit and fun to watch the pattern emerge.<br /><br />And I knit up some of my homespun, <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3608029591/" title="all spun up handspun by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/3608029591_88456c2f8e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="all spun up handspun" /></a><br />This if from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=106594">All Spun Up</a>, sorry I can't find the colorway name. Lovely fiber!<br /><br />And used it to start <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2006/10/12/one_row_handspun_scarf.html">Yarn Harlot's One Row Handspun Scarf Pattern</a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3608025459/" title="handspun scarf by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/3608025459_27b21a7587.jpg" width="355" height="500" alt="handspun scarf" /></a><br />This scarf is done now but needs to be blocked to open it up. Again a quick and enjoyable project. And a great pattern to display long color runs.<br /><br />I dyed some BFL superwash fingering weight yarn a light Turquoise.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3608024973/" title="kettled dyed BFL superwash by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2468/3608024973_1f61e66d7a.jpg" width="355" height="500" alt="kettled dyed BFL superwash" /></a><br />It was kettle dyed and came out a very faint semi-solid. It's destined to be Evelyn Clark's Shetland Triangle.<br /><br />That's it for my knitting. The garden has had some spectacular spring blooms.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3608841466/" title="Graham Thomas Climbing Rose by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3608841466_0dff774777.jpg" width="369" height="500" alt="Graham Thomas Climbing Rose" /></a><br />The Graham Thomas Climbing Rose was severely cut back this year - guess it like it because it's out done itself with roses!<br /><br />The Asiatic Lillies have kept blooming through rain or shine.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3608839262/" title="Red Lilly in the rain by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/3608839262_90fc352b18.jpg" width="351" height="500" alt="Red Lilly in the rain" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3608023169/" title="Asiatic Lilly in the rain by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3590/3608023169_11838b0412.jpg" width="500" height="409" alt="Asiatic Lilly in the rain" /></a><br /><br />And the Jacarandas in the neighborhood have bloomed in all their glory.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3608024475/" title="Jacaranda in Bloom by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2461/3608024475_f98d095078.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Jacaranda in Bloom" /></a><br />(Yes, they're beautiful trees but you want to view them at someone elses house. Messy and sticky debris!)<br /><br />The Photographer and I went to the Ocean Beach Farmer's Market a couple weeks ago. O.B. never got the message that the <a href="http://dbfphoto.com/Events/Ocean%20Beach%20Farmer's%20Market,%202009/index.htm">Summer of Love</a> is over.<br /><br />Annie say, "Hey."<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3608838384/" title="Annie_face by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3608838384_422b3a0fc2.jpg" width="500" height="497" alt="Annie_face" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-48441296192282094752009-05-15T10:10:00.000-07:002009-05-15T11:12:52.975-07:00Mother's Day Catch-upNo excuses, I just haven't put in my blogging time - mea culpa.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3534097284/" title="Mother's Day_2009_Lake Murray_-2823 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3383/3534097284_0ce670e277.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mother's Day_2009_Lake Murray_-2823" /></a><br /><br />This is a long shot of my Mother's Day Picnic Breakfast. (We're under the big center tree.) This is <a href="http://www.mtrp.org/lake_murray.asp">Lake Murray</a> in La Mesa. (It's really a reservoir, there's little open water here in Southern California.) <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3533280903/" title="Mother's Day_2009_Lake Murray_-2802 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3533280903_35ae0701b9.jpg" width="500" height="353" alt="Mother's Day_2009_Lake Murray_-2802" /></a><br />This is the view from the opposite direction.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3533280499/" title="Mother's Day_2009_Lake Murray_-2804 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2146/3533280499_ac50ba87be.jpg" width="458" height="500" alt="Mother's Day_2009_Lake Murray_-2804" /></a><br />Party Crashers.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3533281407/" title="Mother's Day_2009_Lake Murray_-2799 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3533281407_7ecdbda7a0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mother's Day_2009_Lake Murray_-2799" /></a><br />And here I am trying to unwrap a roll of paper towels. (Is it just me or are they making plastic indestructible now a days!!)<br /><br />We had such a good time that we're planning on a Father's Day picnic at another water side location next month. My girls gave me some wonderful presents. The gardener daughter gave me a couple of plants for the front yard remodel. (Due to up coming water rationing we've turned off the lawn sprinklers and are getting ready to take out all the grass. I'll sure miss all that cool green.) She gave me a Tree Mallow, the flowers are 2 inches in diameter.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3534095104/" title="Lavatera Tree Mallow by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2058/3534095104_59e4dbc741.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Lavatera Tree Mallow" /></a><br />and a Leptospermum<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3534095606/" title="Leptospermum Scoparium by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3343/3534095606_783e72f33b.jpg" width="427" height="500" alt="Leptospermum Scoparium" /></a><br />both plants have very low water requirements.<br /><br />The traveling Photographer daughter was in Portland, Oregon last month and surprised me with Shibui Sock yarn from <a href="http://www.knit-purl.com/Products<br />/Product.php?Product_ID=297">Knit Purl</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3534096164/" title="Shibui sock yarn by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3534096164_ac5a1e7267.jpg" width="500" height="380" alt="Shibui sock yarn" /></a><br /><br />When she first told me she would be in Portland I told her she could go to Knit Purl and buy me this sock yarn, intending to pay her for it; then I forgot about the whole thing. So I really was surprised when I opened her bag. I have great daughters!<br /><br />Later that afternoon the four of us went and saw Star Trek. I loved it! Even better was I had enough passes and gift certificates that we ended up paying $1 for 4 tickets, two drinks AND popcorn! Not sure which was more fun the movie or buying the tickets for a buck!<br /><br />Knitting Content: now what do I do?<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3534096464/" title="entrelac fingerless mitts by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2128/3534096464_2e4edef6d1.jpg" width="384" height="500" alt="entrelac fingerless mitts" /></a><br /><br />These are the cuffs for <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/juliespatterns/Home/proposition">entrelac fingerless mitts</a> out of Silk Garden Sock.<br /><br />They're huge - I can pull them all the way up to my elbows and they're still loose. I'm using a size 1 needle and don't think that they would be much smaller if I went down to a zero needle. Only way is to rip the whole thing out and rework the pattern to take one of the squares out - not sure that's going to happen. I even tried them on as sock cuffs and they fit around the largest part of my calf but that would be ALOT of entrelac. Just not sure where I'm going from here.<br /><br />Ink Spot Scarf doesn't look much different. I've been carrying this around with me but I keep making mistakes and take out as much as I knit. I'm afraid this is going to have to stay home and go back to being my early morning project. It's not a complicated pattern but what with it being black I do have to pay attention and count.<br /><br />I've started sewing the barn-raising squares, getting the 4 corners to come together is fiddly. It'll get there - eventually. I bought a warm semi-sold chocolate by Mama Blue for the crocheted border.<br /><br />Still working on my milkweed scarf submission; I'm on the second ball of hand-spun. No pictures because it doesn't look like much until it's blocked. I'm worried about stretching my handspun out at blocking - there are a few thing spots.<br /><br />A Knitty Sweater has been started in <a href="http://www.elann.com/productdisp.asp?NAME=elann.com+Peruvian+Highland+Wool&Season=&Company=&Cat=ALLY&ProductType=5&OrderBy=&Count=33">Elann's Peruvian Highland Wool</a>. but that's all that I can say for now.<br /><br />You've heard of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Square-Foot-Gardening-Garden-Space/dp/1579548563/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242410179&sr=8-2">Square Foot Gardening</a>? I found planters that are exactly a square foot and the idea just grabbed me. There are three now but I'm headed out today to see if I can find more since the original three are looking so good.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3534096944/" title="square foot gardening by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3534096944_31a3ccc9de.jpg" width="500" height="447" alt="square foot gardening" /></a><br /><br />There is no way I can plant too much flat leaf parsley and cilantro!<br /><br />And to close here's a photo of a visitor to the front yard. This is taken through the front window, he just sat there and stared - No Fear.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3533277323/" title="feline visitor by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2292/3533277323_d942a16fca.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="feline visitor" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-1921948466445103502009-05-01T09:51:00.000-07:002009-05-01T10:28:37.887-07:00Talk of Quilts, Babies and Flowers<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3491898188/" title="Baby Coins Quilt by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3491898188_23d4525776.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Baby Coins Quilt" /></a><br /><br />My niece is having a baby girl, and as I did for all my nieces and nephew when they were born, I made a quilt. This one is called Baby Coins, the pattern is <a href="http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/02/stacked-coins-baby-quilt.html">here</a>. This was a very quick project and best of all, it's made completely from stash. (Yes, I have to admit I have even more quilt fabric stashed than yarn.) I cut slices from fat quarters and used some 6" batik squares, most are just color but there's one little green frog that mostly survived the cutting.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3491081235/" title="quilt closeup by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/3491081235_2a2d31cc1f.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="quilt closeup" /></a><br /><br />I got carried away with cutting the rectangles and I have enough to make another quilt; I'm seriously considering making a second on baby speculation. My daughters' friends are just starting to get married so you know there will always be new babies that need a gift.<br /><br />The Barn-Raising blocks are finished. 36 needed but I'm working on number 40 right now.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3491895810/" title="Barn Raising Blocks by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3398/3491895810_b3edcf0780.jpg" width="500" height="428" alt="Barn Raising Blocks" /></a><br /><br />I'm making a few extra because I'm sure I have some rejects. See any possible rejects in this group? Some really stick out when laid out with the rest of the blocks.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3491896424/" title="Rejects by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/3491896424_2291607801.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Rejects" /></a><br /><br />Jamie and Linda, two customers from our shop have started collecting hats to send to our Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan; <a href="http://www.twosistersandewe.com/image/Flyer%20v2.pdf">Hats from Home</a>. I knit the hat pattern they suggested, it wouldn't even fit on my head. (everyone else gets a normal adult size hat but my gauge must have been off - way off.) So I ripped it out and I'm making a plain 2/2 ribbed hat.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3491895142/" title="Troop Hat by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3371/3491895142_6bfe97fa48.jpg" width="500" height="345" alt="Troop Hat" /></a><br /><br />As you can see my camo isn't pooling it's spiraling. Thank goodness the idea is for warmth rather than style. (Since I always have trouble with sock yarn pooling and flashing I figured this yarn would do the same. Of course, yarn is contrary and this skein is doing the opposite of what I want! I shouldn't have been surprised.)<br /><br />The cymbidiums are almost done blooming<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3491079429/" title="Cymbidiums 2009 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3627/3491079429_2a9498b503.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Cymbidiums 2009" /></a><br /><br />And the Epi's are just starting.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3491897342/" title="Epi by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3555/3491897342_7a990fd4ce.jpg" width="489" height="500" alt="Epi" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-29773664545184972922009-04-21T13:22:00.001-07:002009-04-21T13:51:54.744-07:00My Fully Baked WeekendOk - let me just get this out - It was DAMN HOT this weekend!! And then Sunday was even HOTTER! Tying the all time record for the Month of April HOT! Where I was Sunday it got to 100 degrees F at 10:55 am and then stuck at that temperature the rest of the day. (I left at 4pm and it was still 100 degrees.)<br /><br />This was the weekend we had Celia Quinn here to give her two-day Silk Workshop. Once again we were at Karalyn's home over looking Lake Murray. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3462967241/" title="Silk spinning and dyeing by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3485/3462967241_b06325e84d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Silk spinning and dyeing" /></a><br />Celia lives in Alaska and the heat was really getting to her. Saturday was very warm - put you to sleep after lunch warm but Sunday it was so hot it hurt, and we were in the shade.<br /><br />We learned more about the history and biology of silk than I ever imagined. We dyed silk caps <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3463783004/" title="Silk Caps drying by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3463783004_077fa3daa3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Silk Caps drying" /></a><br />and silk hankies<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3462967703/" title="dyeing silk hankies by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/3462967703_ce591175aa.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="dyeing silk hankies" /></a><br /><br />We spun silk in more than a dozen forms while Celia explained all the ways to spin each type, what each is used for and where it came from.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3462968159/" title="Celia Quinn and drafting triangle demo by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3462968159_7bbe23e93c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Celia Quinn and drafting triangle demo" /></a><br /><br />We played with cocoons and did reeled silk and make silk mawata or hankies from cocoons. Celia gave us so much information in a very fun but hectic weekend. Luckily with all that heat it was very dry so our hands weren't too sweaty to spin the silk. Sunday with trying to pay attention and ignore the heat I forgot to take any pictures but it looked at lot like Saturday's picture except with different and lighter clothes, oh yeah, we looked even hotter too.<br /><br />These three days of heat have cooked all the Spring flowers but The Photographer has pictures to help remember them. My potted wisteria gave the best blooms so far. I severely wacked it back - the plant must have liked the pruning.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3463785772/" title="Wisteria 1 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3463785772_8b782cab52.jpg" width="302" height="500" alt="Wisteria 1" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3463786146/" title="wisteria 2 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/3463786146_028e34bca2.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="wisteria 2" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3463786836/" title="wisteria 3 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3515/3463786836_e50ea3d5fb.jpg" width="322" height="500" alt="wisteria 3" /></a><br /><br />And just to prove how special my dog Annie is, here's a picture of her reading.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3462968873/" title="my dog can to read by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3462968873_d788946d04.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="my dog can to read" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-26273854416162569162009-04-11T16:37:00.000-07:002009-04-15T08:17:35.827-07:00Forest Canopy ShawlFirst we have a winner, DJ won the 5 Minutes a Day Bread Book - Congratulations. Hope you enjoy the recipes.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3432244091/" title="Forest Canopy Shawl by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3612/3432244091_26230880e3.jpg" width="500" height="193" alt="Forest Canopy Shawl" /></a><br /><br />Second - I finished the <a href="http://knittingasfastasican.com/forest-canopy-shoulder-shawl/">Forest Canopy Shawl</a> pattern by Susan Pierce Lawrence. <br />(<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/forest-canopy-shawl">Rav link</a>) The yarn is Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool in an olive green color. None of my pictures capture the color exactly. The Label says color 008.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3433057738/" title="Forest Canopy Shawl by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3572/3433057738_3873f3ce22.jpg" width="500" height="447" alt="Forest Canopy Shawl" /></a><br /><br />Funny about this pattern, a friend was looking for a particular shawl pattern and I suggested that it was this one. Talking about the Forest Canopy Shawl reminded me that I'd purchased the pattern and even had the yarn to make it. So I just let every other project sit for the week it took to make this easy lace shawl. (It's really more of a shoulderette or kerchief than a shawl or scarf.) I enjoyed knitting this pattern - it's very clear and well written.<br /><br />And the blocking pictures<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3433056566/" title="Forest Canopy Shawl by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3433056566_ff44d609f7.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Forest Canopy Shawl" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3433056160/" title="Forest Canopy Shawl by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3433056160_018d23c8f8.jpg" width="500" height="289" alt="Forest Canopy Shawl" /></a><br /><br />I'm still working on InkSpot another of Susan's patterns. There's no speeding when I'm working with such a dark lace weight. <br /><br />Last night I attended a <a href="http://news.twosistersandewe.com/?p=18">Bobmas Party at Two Sister's and Ewe</a>. It was fun to visit with so many talented knitters. I saw some lovely things - wish I'd remember to take some pictures. I was bleary eyed last night and not the sharpest pencil in the box! I'm blaming it on not enough sleep the night before - that's my story. I know Jessica was busy taking pictures so I'll link to her pictures when she puts them up.CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-77890080803202199792009-04-03T18:17:00.000-07:002009-04-03T19:18:04.557-07:00Lace, Bib and BreadVery slowly I've been knitting <a href="http://knittingasfastasican.com/2009/ink-spot/">Ink Spot</a> the scarf version of <a href="http://www.interweaveknits.com/preview/2009_spring.asp">Fountain Pen Shawl</a> in the current issue of Interweave Knits. I find it difficult to keep working on such dark stitches. I usually sit in direct sunlight in the morning and knit a dozen rows before I start the rest of my day.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3410445334/" title="Inkspot 2 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3410445334_9eb65d75a5.jpg" alt="Inkspot 2" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br />The yarn is Knit Picks Shadow in Midnight. The picture looks like a solid black yarn but it has touches of blue-green in it. (Think Black Watch Plaid in the blender - those colors) One more picture - yeah, I know, unblocked lace looks like a blob.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3410444872/" title="Inkspot by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/3410444872_c57f161b0b.jpg" alt="Inkspot" width="308" height="500" /></a><br /><br />I completely flaked out on SockMadness. My yarn was picked out and I was right there that Thurday morning when the pattern was released but Ink Spot was calling to me and when I cast-on it was lace weight in my hand rather than sock yarn. I feel so wicked.<br /><br />Lace yarn has a tendency to either stick to itself or the whole ball falls apart, especially if it has a high silk content. Here's a picture of have I keep my yarn safe and secure.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3410445534/" title="CD yarn saver by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3410445534_56bf1c4c08.jpg" alt="CD yarn saver" width="500" height="463" /></a><br /><br />I store it in an empty CD spindle package. The yarn is secure on the spindle; safe from dust, falling onto the floor and nosey cats. My family of Photographers kindly keep me supplied with empty DVD cases.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3410445816/" title="CD yarn saver 2 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3410445816_33fd090447.jpg" alt="CD yarn saver 2" width="500" height="477" /></a><br /><br />I finished a bib in cotton dishcloth yarn. (I'm not sure which brand as there was no label on this ball. I'm thinking it's Peaches & Creme because I bought a grab bag of yarn from them several years ago and none of them came with labels.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3410444462/" title="yellow bib by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3410444462_236a49995b.jpg" alt="yellow bib" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /><br />The pattern is <a href="http://theknitoriousmrsb.blogspot.com/2008/01/miss-thing-baby-bib-pattern.html">here</a>. Overall it's a very good pattern and lends itself to what ever you can imagine. You could adapt this pattern to any dishcloth pattern for the first six inches. I would try a few things differently next time; I'd use an I-cord bind-off across the front neck, I'd taper a bit the bands that go around the neck and I did enlarge the button hole. (Trying to get tiny buttons done on a squirmy baby isn't fun.)<br /><br />I've been trying the recipes in the book "Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day." It really is an extremely simple recipe with no kneading. I've gotten some very good bread and they look every bit as good as the loaf on the cover. And the Smell when it's baking is just heaven!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3410446102/" title="Bread book by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3410446102_7f754ece0a.jpg" alt="Bread book" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /><br />My problem is my refrigerator - I HATE my side-by-side! I just don't have room to store the bread dough container. Since I won't be keeping the book because of my "stupidly designed refrig" I thought I'd give it away here. Anyone that's interested leave me a comment (be sure and leave an email address so I can let you know you won.) I'll mail it to anyone in the US or Canada - sorry everywhere else USPS is just too expensive.<br /><br />So if you have a decent refrigerator and like to bake this book is for you. Leave me a comment by next Thursday April 9 at 9 p.m. PDT.<br /><br />Do you read the <a href="http://theraineysisters.com/">Rainey Sister's Blog</a>? The last two days Susan has been showing a method for keeping count of rows, increases and decreases as you knit. Sure makes sense to me.CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-76457365107298275432009-03-23T10:18:00.000-07:002009-03-23T10:58:07.550-07:00Lace Ribbon Scarf<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3368053549/" title="Lace Ribbon Scarf by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3368053549_e873c6e9c3.jpg" width="394" height="500" alt="Lace Ribbon Scarf" /></a><br /><br />Yes, I finished the <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring08/PATTlaceribbon.html">Lace Ribbon Scarf from Knitty</a>. I used Ella Rae Lace Merino ( a fingering weight) in color 110. The pattern calls for you to knit until the scarf is 80"; I only made it to 74" with one skein of yarn.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3368878850/" title="Lace Ribbon Scarf 2 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3368878850_4c7c3cc484.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Lace Ribbon Scarf 2" /></a><br /><br />I enjoyed knitting this pattern but I have one thing I'd do differently next time. The pattern has you cast-on and start right into the lace pattern then at the end you knit two rows then bind-off. Those two knit rows give you a very nice finished edge that you don't have at the other end of the scarf. Next time I'd cast-on, knit two rows before starting the lace pattern. I had a long piece of yarn left from the cast on that I used to work through the cast-on to give it a little more bulk to try and match the end of this scarf.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3368877678/" title="Lace Ribbon Scarf closeup by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3368877678_197bec18e3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Lace Ribbon Scarf closeup" /></a><br /><br />Thank-you <a href="http://smittenknitten.blogspot.com/">Jessica</a> for modeling the scarf.<br /><br />I've had about a dozen people write and ask about my blocking surface. I've mentioned before that they're 2 feet X 2 feet <a href="http://www.amazon.com/24-Playmats-set-of-4/dp/B000067QXC/ref=pd_bbs_5?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1237829556&sr=8-5">interlocking foam floor mats</a> that I got through Amazon. (My mats are black but they're offered in many bright colors too. I've been told someone found the mats at Home Depot.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.knitpicks.com">KnitPicks</a> now is selling a similar product, <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Blocking+Mats_AD80597.html">12 inch X 12 inch interlocking squares</a> that are white. I haven't seen them and can make no recommendation - I'm just letting you know another source for these blocking mats. My only comment is that KnitPicks' product is only half the surface area of those offered on Amazon with little reduction in price. <br /><br />The beginning of this month the Photographer and I drove up to <a href="http://www.riversideca.gov/">Riverside, California</a> so I could attend a Weaver's Conference marketplace. I was curious about the new looms on the market; learned a lot but didn't purchase one. I really didn't buy much; 2 pounds of natural color worsted weight merino yarn from Newton's, and a fringe twister. <br /><br />Although we didn't stay at the <a href="http://www.missioninn.com/">Mission Inn</a> we did stop there early Saturday morning before the Conference opened. I knit while the Photographer did what he does. It was a beautiful hotel that has recently been fully restored.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3368897458/" title="Mission Inn_Riverside_2009_-2375 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3572/3368897458_eb20800591.jpg" width="373" height="500" alt="Mission Inn_Riverside_2009_-2375" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3368074549/" title="Mission Inn_Riverside_covered walkway by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3368074549_bf88a48327.jpg" width="348" height="500" alt="Mission Inn_Riverside_covered walkway" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3368074933/" title="Mission Inn_Riverside_courtyard rooms by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3652/3368074933_f7d1eb25fd.jpg" width="500" height="335" alt="Mission Inn_Riverside_courtyard rooms" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3368074009/" title="Mission Inn_Riverside_archway by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3627/3368074009_e794e962fc.jpg" width="355" height="500" alt="Mission Inn_Riverside_archway" /></a><br /><br />This is how I spent the hour, knitting and listening to Vivaldi, while he was wandering around.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3368897780/" title="Mission Inn_Riverside_knitting by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3368897780_b8ff14e68e.jpg" width="320" height="500" alt="Mission Inn_Riverside_knitting" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-34367353301081519112009-03-13T14:08:00.000-07:002009-03-13T14:48:08.064-07:00I Won a ContestHow can it be two weeks since I last posted here? Where does the time go and why is it going so quickly?<br /><br />Anyway, I won a guessing contest from Lisa on <a href="http://knitnzu.com/?paged=2">Knitnzu</a> . She had ice slide off a multi-story building and land on her car. So she held a guess the estimate contest and I guessed closest. I won a $25 gift certificate from <a href="http://www.spunkyeclectic.com/shop.php">Spunky Eclectic</a>; I ordered two custom dyed fibers and they finally arrived this Wednesday.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3351570795/" title="Spunky Eclectic fiber by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3351570795_7c5b26969b.jpg" width="500" height="308" alt="Spunky Eclectic fiber" /></a><br /><br />The top is 4 ounces of Superwash Merino Tencel in the Rocky Mountain High colorway. The bottom is 4 ounces of Superwash BFL in the Going Places colorway. Seriously beautiful colors, you should see them in person. I've wanted to order from Amy for awhile and just never got around to it; there have been several people in my Spinning Classes that have subscribed to her Fiber of the Month Club and everything they've received has been enviable. Now I get to play with it - Thanks Lisa... and I hope your car is repaired back to it's original condition.<br /><br />It's so nice to handle spinning fiber with color, I'm so tired of this white corriedale I'm still spinning. I spun some three Ply and knit it doubled for thick felt for another pair of insoles.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3351568489/" title="handspun felt by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/3351568489_294c8374ba.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="handspun felt" /></a><br /><br />which felted down much smaller than commercial yarns. I barely had enough to squeeze out the insoles.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3351568711/" title="felted insoles by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/3351568711_5b9fbbc4d6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="felted insoles" /></a><br /><br />Still working on that Lace Ribbon Scarf; looks like I'm on the last quarter. I'm knitting slower on it as I'm bored with it. I hope to be done by the 19th as that's when <a href="Sock%20Madness%203">Sock Madness 3</a> starts. Last year I made it to round two so this year I'm aiming to make it to round three. I'm not a speedy knitter. I could probably go faster if I wasn't doing two or three other things at the same time but that's just not me. (I can read while knitting, not so much purling.)<br /><br />At <a href="http://www.twosistersandewe.com/">Two Sisters</a> we got in some fun sock yarn. It's called Zauberball<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3351569023/" title="Zauberball Multi by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/3351569023_9fe118f85b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Zauberball Multi" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3351569293/" title="Zauberball cranberry by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/3351569293_caa09a9968.jpg" width="321" height="500" alt="Zauberball cranberry" /></a><br /><br />I brought home these two balls. They're from Skacel 420m/100g of fingering weight single ply. Haven't decided if they're going to be socks or something else. I have quite a queue and list of favorites to choose from.<br /><br />And I'll leave you with a few more Barn-Raising Blocks. I've used most of my sock-yarn leftovers so I'm really starting to be creative in color combining. Lots of yarn editing!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3351570555/" title="sock square purple by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3590/3351570555_a5306240f6.jpg" width="500" height="442" alt="sock square purple" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3352394998/" title="sock square by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3352394998_f5bb3eca95.jpg" width="500" height="449" alt="sock square" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-55732719880423663282009-02-27T10:56:00.000-08:002009-02-27T11:33:23.394-08:00It needs more Cow Bell!!Not much to show for the past couple weeks. I've been knitting but sticking to just two projects which is unusual for me. Normally I'm working on four or more projects at one time; what can I say, "I just like variety."<br /><br />The main project is a store sample. Since I don't get to keep them, store samples are quick projects that I enjoy knitting but I don't want to devote lots of time to <span style="font-weight: bold;">BUT</span> I've found one of those rare patterns that has a rhythm to the knitting and I can't seem to put it down. I believe I'm committed to the end of the yarn. It's the very popular <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring08/PATTlaceribbon.html">Lace Ribbon Scarf on Knitty</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3313836319/" title="Lace Ribbon in Ella Rae by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3418/3313836319_efb249daa4.jpg" alt="Lace Ribbon in Ella Rae" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br />I'm using <a href="http://www.yarns-and.com/EllaRae/EllaRae.htm">Ella Rae</a>'s Lace Merino (which is more of a fingering weight than lace weight) in color 110. A yellowy light green.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3314660570/" title="Ella Rae Lace Merino by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3314660570_1e5a9684dd.jpg" alt="Ella Rae Lace Merino" width="500" height="408" /></a><br />For true colors check out the yarn <a href="http://www.yarns-and.com/EllaRae/ERlacemerino.htm">here</a>.<br /><br />I'm also still plugging away on my Barn-Raising Quilt blocks. I have 16 finished squares now; everyone a different yarn. I have two blocks that I thought were different yarns but they ended up looking very similar - not sure if I'll use the duplicate looking one or not.<br /><br />I also am wondering how busy this quilt is going to look with all that changing color. Should I make a bunch of solid color squares to alternate with the more colorful ones. (That might be a problem as I don't have much solid superwash fingering weight yarn, either new or left overs.)<br /><br />And I'm running out of left overs so I've started combining small bits together and coming out with some great looking squares IMHO.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3314659704/" title="combined yarn square by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3375/3314659704_df7c00cff5.jpg" alt="combined yarn square" width="500" height="474" /></a><br /><br />That's it for knitting around here. I have been spinning but it's still that same white corriedale fleece I've posted before. Six and one-half pounds is beginning to feel like a life time's amount of fleece.<br /><br />The Photographer went to the final stage of the <a href="http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/">Amgen Tour of California</a> and has some pictures posted <a href="http://www.dbfphoto.com/Amgen%20Tour_2009/index.htm">here</a> if you're interested in the race.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3313903811/" title="Cowbell_IMG_2629 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/3313903811_4c07393a79.jpg" alt="Cowbell_IMG_2629" width="500" height="417" /></a><br />(cowbell passed out at the beginning of the race)CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-67898926413647830732009-02-13T13:40:00.000-08:002009-02-13T14:36:13.131-08:00Weaving ClassWeaving has been encroaching on my knitting recently. I'm attending a 4 Harness Weaving Class at <a href="http://www-crafts.ucsd.edu/">The Craft Center at UCSD</a>. Week One was how to warp our rental looms. Week Two was weaving (in my case TRYING to weave) 14 different Twill patterns with varying success. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3276693047/" title="first weaving by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3487/3276693047_b9718050dc.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="first weaving" /></a><br /><br />It's amazing how easily I got confused about what pattern row I was on! Even when there were only four rows to the design!!<br /><br />Week Three we finished our sampler and warped again. This time I'm doing a hounds tooth two-color pattern. Turns out for me the hardest part is counting (who would have thought). Anyway, after several mistakes, pulling warp out, string everywhere and re-doing I got the loom warped and the pattern started. If I sound surprised that's because I can't believe I got it to work.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3276693729/" title="second weaving by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3276693729_96a9b13d11.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="second weaving" /></a><br /><br />I'm enjoying the 'learning something new' part of this class but I don't think weaving will ever replace knitting as my craft of choice; my need to do it so I don't go crazy and take everyone along with me. There really is something in my brain that is soothed with knitting; if I have to wait in line or on the phone I can remain calm if I have my knitting otherwise by the time I get to the head of the line I'm really not fit to be talking to anyone let alone trying to solve a problem.<br /><br />Speaking of Knitting, only two finished objects this past week. The first is a Pinwheel pillow, a sample for the Shop. It's a pattern from the current issue of <a href="http://www.knitscene.com/">Knitscene Magazine </a>out of <a href="http://www.kertzer.com/Yarns/MarbleChunky/tabid/163/Default.aspx">Marble Chunky</a>. (BTW this is a great 100% acrylic chunky yarn. It really sells well, everyone seems to like it as much as I did.)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3276692303/" title="Round Pillow by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/3276692303_d994e6eb8c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Round Pillow" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3277513372/" title="Knitscene winter 09 by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3277513372_efccc393d7.jpg" width="429" height="500" alt="Knitscene winter 09" /></a><br /><br />And <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3277513372/%22%20title=%22Knitscene%20winter%2009%20by%20cctcty123,%20on%20Flickr%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3277513372_efccc393d7.jpg%22%20width=%22429%22%20height=%22500%22%20alt=%22Knitscene%20winter%2009%22%20/%3E%3C/a%3E">Saartje's Baby Booties</a> made for my niece who's expecting a girl this May.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3277514028/" title="emerald booties by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3277514028_d32b29d56c.jpg" width="500" height="381" alt="emerald booties" /></a><br /><br />Oh - I should tell you it's been raining off and on this week and should continue through Monday and Tuesday - YEAH! It's been fun seeing the reaction to our mini-summer in winter from Bloggers talking about TNNA. (Great pictures from Anne on <a href="http://www.knitspot.com/">Knitspot</a>. Mid-January entries)<br /><br />The Photographer passed along a couple of photos of Sam and Annie from Christmas:<br /><br />Sam trying out all the extra chairs around the table<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3277512576/" title="Sam in chair by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/3277512576_07b4a974db.jpg" width="319" height="500" alt="Sam in chair" /></a><br /><br />Annie with her stuffed chick present. She always knows there's a present for her; we have to hide it because she can smell which one is hers out of all the other wrapped presents.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3276691745/" title="Annie with Christmas Toy by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3458/3276691745_8b5ae7ced4.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="Annie with Christmas Toy" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-61846508709717668492009-01-30T12:39:00.000-08:002009-01-30T13:43:04.874-08:00continued warm, sunny and VERY dryI haven't been doing much to blog about. It's been warm for weeks (very little winter here, which means a third year of drought) although nice outdoor spinning weather.<br /><a title="outside spinning by cctcty123, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3239771338/"><img height="405" alt="outside spinning" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3345/3239771338_0bcf6a2eda.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Do you see that huge bag of fleece? That's 6.5 pounds of Corriedale that I've been working on for the last few weeks. Bought it at Black Sheep Gathering 2007. Seems to have marinated nicely in the fiber stash. I'm spinning modified long draw; this method fills a bobbin faster than me doing short draw.<br /><a title="Corriedale Bobbins by cctcty123, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3239772732/"><img height="500" alt="Corriedale Bobbins" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/3239772732_7cf34b0afc.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />I've nearly filled all my bobbins, time to start plying. Since I have no idea what I'm going to make with the yarn I've made a few samples to see what it wants to be. I'm lazy; it's too hard to spin to specification. I spin the yarn then find a pattern that calls for that weight of yarn.<br /><a title="Corriedale 2 and 3 ply samples by cctcty123, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3239774096/"><img height="254" alt="Corriedale 2 and 3 ply samples" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3357/3239774096_a8568988cc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Here's a two ply knit on size 7 needles on the left and 3 ply knit on size 9 needles on the right.<br /><br />Singles<br /><a title="Corriedale singles by cctcty123, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3239773396/"><img height="360" alt="Corriedale singles" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3466/3239773396_ab17759f24.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />2-ply<br /><a title="Corriedale 2 ply by cctcty123, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3238935041/"><img height="375" alt="Corriedale 2 ply" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/3238935041_77765ac187.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />3-ply<br /><a title="Corriedale 3 ply by cctcty123, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3238934785/"><img height="375" alt="Corriedale 3 ply" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3238934785_3db05f5282.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />So now I'm ready for a worsted or chunky weight pattern. Time to go and check out my Ravelry Queue and see what might work with this yarn. I'm open to suggestions.<br /><br />I've also been working on my Barn Raising Squares. I'm still enjoying watching each square's design emerge as I knit. It's a slow version of that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Spin-Art-Mega-Brands/dp/B000EPFFLK">Spin Art</a> they use to have at the Fair. Remember you squirted paint on a spinning paper.<br /><a title="Sock Yarn Squares by cctcty123, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3238934131/"><img height="462" alt="Sock Yarn Squares" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/3238934131_255d7d4250.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Last Saturday I started taking a 4-Harness Weaving class at <a href="http://www-crafts.ucsd.edu/">UCSD's Craft Center</a>. Mostly we're still getting all the looms warped.<br /><a title="warping board by cctcty123, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3238932491/"><img height="271" alt="warping board" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3238932491_a7ede84402.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />So many people in the class it's slow going waiting for help but I'm liking it so far. Who knew that weaving would be so popular right now?<br /><br />Here's a picture of my friends at <a href="http://www.twosistersandewe.com/">Two Sisters and Ewe</a> where I work.<br /><a title="Knitting Friends by cctcty123, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3238933427/"><img height="375" alt="Knitting Friends" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/3238933427_b96d489e97.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />left to right, Karen, <a href="http://www.smittenknitten.blogspot.com/">Jessica</a> (who also works there), Marie and Carol; they all make Open Knitting on Wednesday afternoons so much fun. All week I look forward to our time together. There are others that drop in but these Ladies are our hard-core knitters! It took the whole group to help me figure out where I was on my Curlicue Afghan. Turns out there was no mistake I'd just gotten lost. Thanks Ladies! In the future I'm going to have to write down exactly where I am each time I put that project down. It's either that or I'll have to keep pulling into the Yarn Shop to ask for directions.CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-29504119518391003582009-01-19T16:22:00.000-08:002009-01-19T16:33:56.744-08:00At Last !This magnet has been on my refrigerator for over two year.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3210570375/" title="finally by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/3210570375_1fa81cc975.jpg" width="500" height="346" alt="finally" /></a><br />I think we finally got it right! Tomorrow is Inauguration Day; I have high hopes!<br /><br /><br />(I received the following message in one of those mass forwards from several friends.<br />Seems appropriate.)<br /><br />Dear World:<br /><br />We, the United States of America, your top quality supplier of the ideals of liberty and democracy, would like to sincerely apologize for our 2001-2008 interruption in service.<br /><br />The technical fault that led to this eight-year service outage has been located, and the software responsible was replaced November 4. Early tests of the newly installed program indicate that we are now operating correctly, and we expect it to be fully functional on January 20.<br /><br />We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the outage. We look forward to resuming full service and hope to improve in years to come. We thank you for your patience and understanding.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICACChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-84676076304597560102009-01-13T12:29:00.000-08:002009-01-13T13:08:16.039-08:00Last of 2008 KnittingHere's the last project of 2008 (not the last finished but the last photographed and blogged.) <a href="http://www.unicornbooks.com/pattern_MWspiraleyeletsocks-SQL3.asp">Spiral Eyelet Socks</a> in Paca-Peds, color #604 Fireside.<br /><a title="Spiral Eyelet Socks by cctcty123, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3195079840/"><img height="500" alt="Spiral Eyelet Socks" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3195079840_9388b9813f.jpg" width="277" /></a><br />These socks made it into both 2007 & 2008 projects list; I'm still pulling out UFOs and finishing them rather than buckling down and finishing my green sweater. (What is the matter with me? I just haven't been in the mood for knitting that requires any brain power.) Don't know why it took me a year to get to the second pair, since the second sock pattern changes to make the diagonal eyelet spiral in the opposite direction - it's like a different sock. There shouldn't have been any second sock syndrome fatigue. Anyway they're done.<br /><br />Found out I'm going to be a Great Aunt again so I've been perusing baby blankets on Ravelry where I found the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/barn-raising-quilt">Barn-Raising Quilt</a> from <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knitalong-Celebrating-Tradition-Knitting-Together/dp/1584796650/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231879244&sr=1-1">Knit-a-long</a></em><br /><a title="Barn Raising Sq 1 by cctcty123, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3194235843/"><img height="466" alt="Barn Raising Sq 1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3532/3194235843_f7bcd56f59.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Thanks to friends (Hi Laurie) I have lots of left over sock yarn. A single square only takes 11 grams of yarn. Here's #1 and #2 squares.<br /><a title="Barn Raising Sq 2 by cctcty123, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3195079124/"><img height="375" alt="Barn Raising Sq 2" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3195079124_0da38d344e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />It's fun to watch the spiral design come out as you knit. Wonder how long it will take me to knit all these squares? The baby is due in April...<br /><br />Here's a photo of a knit gift card holder from Starbucks.<br /><a title="gift card holder open by cctcty123, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3195077924/"><img height="496" alt="gift card holder open" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/3195077924_f1a7d8b5f8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a title="gift card holder by cctcty123, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3194235231/"><img height="330" alt="gift card holder" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3336/3194235231_8672700932.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />(Sorry they're a bit blurry, the camera just doesn't like red.) I wonder what something like this would look like in sockyarn? Might take longer to hand knit than it's worth but if you're a machine knitter - boy you can just go to town. They just stitched along the edge, no mattress or blanket stitch. The original has a machine stitched down bird design on the front but with a busy self-patterning sock yarn there's no need for a design on the front. Just a thought.<br /><br />I won a book that I was just going to buy; seriously I was planning to get to Amazon that evening when Norma of <a href="http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com/">Now Norma Knits</a> wrote and told me I'd won the book <a href="http://www.interweave.com/knit/books/Knitted_Jackets/">Knitted Jackets</a> she was giving away. How lucky is that! Thanks Norma.<br /><br />Time to go and figure out what I did wrong on my Curlicue Afgan. I have 26 stitches hanging there with no where to go. I'm afraid I'm going to have to rip back a couple of sections. Hmmm...<br /><br /><a title="Annie at Sunset by cctcty123, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3194237879/"><img height="375" alt="Annie at Sunset" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/3194237879_a352ea4260.jpg" width="500" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34957227.post-36971167365067393152009-01-06T14:48:00.000-08:002009-01-06T15:15:22.622-08:00Don't Over Charge a KnitterMy slippers are a pair of three year old Merrill fleece lined clogs similar to <a href="http://zeta.zappos.com/product/7462992/color/84331">this</a>. I use outdoor shoes for slippers because I often end up outside in my robe and jammies. If it isn't the dog it's the moment I take to look at something in the garden and find I'm still out there an half-an-hour later.<br /><br />After three years I needed new insoles. I hunted online and could only fine Uggs brand wool inserts but everyone wanted to charge me a shipping fee that was two-thirds the price of the inserts. You know those fleece inserts weight next to nothing; shipping just shouldn't be that expensive. I'm sorry, shipping costs for a set of new insoles is not worth a price equivalent to a ball of yarn. I have my priorities!<br /><br />Then I remembered my Spinning Teacher telling us about making wool insoles out of a felting project gone wrong. An idea clicked into my brain. I pulled out a mystery yarn (looked like a Cascade yarn with some gray going through it) using a double strand I knit a 13 " square.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3175347256/" title="pre-felted square by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/3175347256_42b7361b3d.jpg" width="500" height="412" alt="pre-felted square" /></a><br /><br />Felted it until it was a 1/2 " thick. When it was dry (which took two days it was so cold around here) using the old insoles as a pattern I cut out my new green insoles.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3174512765/" title="Felted Insoles by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3078/3174512765_03e1015536.jpg" width="500" height="445" alt="Felted Insoles" /></a><br /><br />They fit perfectly into my slippers and boy are they warm. Wow, I saved the price of a scarf's worth of yarn making these myself. Now I'm looking around for other shoes that might need new wool inserts. "I love it when a plan comes together" (remember the A Team?)<br /><br />Ty keeps watch on what goes on around here.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcty123/3175348548/" title="TY by cctcty123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/3175348548_17c2c1e72d.jpg" width="328" height="500" alt="TY" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786833246368049469noreply@blogger.com2