Knitting Has Been Happening

Knitting Has Been Happening

I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth. I have just been busy going back to school working on my Bachelor's degree (one class each semester so far), full time work, part time work, lots of knitting, and some traveling.

Color Affection

 I finished this Color Affection shawl for a friend who moved from our area. This is the second time I made this pattern and this time I really liked it. It turned out nicer than the first one and it is so soft. I am hoping that it will keep this friend warm as winter will set in out in Utah before very long.

I used Woolike yarn from Michael's for this shawl. I was surprised at how soft and wonderful it felt as it is an acrylic and nylon blend. In fact, I liked the yarn so much, I went back and bought enough to make a lightweight sweater or two for myself.

Ashton

 I knit this Ashton shawl by Dee O'Keefe for another friend who moved to California. This was a fun knit. The pattern didn't have beads on it, but I thought some little purple beads would look so pretty on this shawl. I really like how it turned out and I would like to make myself one, probably without the bead though. The beading slowed the knitting down quite a bit.

This shawl was knit with a Zauberball lace which is a single ply. I don't really like to work with single plies, but this one wasn't bad at all. I might even succumb and purchase another ball one day soon to make a really large shawl for someone else. The beads were some that I had in my stash from a project many years ago. I only used one tube of beads, so I still have another full tube left in the stash.

H's Modig

 This little vest, the Modig, was made for our twelfth grandchild. It is made with Paton's Encore yarn which I picked up at Second Story Knits in Bethesda during the Metro Yarn Crawl in April. In fact, I started this little vest the night I bought the yarn. I only had a week to make it before flying out to meet this new little baby. I love how the blue and green car buttons just fit the vest. Perfect for a little boy.

Truth be told, this is the second Modig I made. I also made one out of stashed Luna yarn for my niece's baby who is about the same age as "H" but much smaller. My niece says her little one can probably wear this when she is five.

Maryland Sheep and Wool 2016

May brought the Maryland Sheep and Wool show. I loved going this year. I probably spent more money than I should have, but I found some wonderful things. I found that the jumbo flyer for an Ashford Kiwi will fit my Ashford Scholor, so I bought the jumbo flyer and can now get a larger skein when plying.

I found I really like Turkish spindles and I found a couple of really nice ones. I also replaced my Trindle. My first Trindle's arm don't stay in very well, they keep flying off when spinning which is very annoying. I like the new Tridle, it spins very nicely. I also bought some yarn: Ella Rae worsted in a pine green and Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in a pumpkiny color. I also bought one hank of fingering weight yarn from Dragonfly Fibers in their show colorway.

I have lots of new projects, lots of UFOs, and projects in the planning stages. I am hoping that getting back into blogging will help keep me accountable and give me a goal to get some things finished as I would like to share my progress on all these yarny pursuits.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Western Done

I made the Western vest, out of this booklet, for a shop sample. I really liked the pattern, but it took me about six weeks to finish it. Granted there were other projects completed in that time, but still--six weeks! I can see this pattern being used with some hand-spun I have sitting around here sometime in the future.

Happy knitting and spinning.

First FO of 2012

A week ago tomorrow Jim and I flew out to Washington state to visit with Ri. We then took Ri with us and went down to Oregon to visit M and B and their little one, JP. JP is nine months old yesterday and I haven't meet him in person until this past Saturday. It was good to visit a couple of our children in their own environments and to get out of town for a few days.

The first project into my carry-on was this scarf which I had started in November, then put aside until Christmas knitting was over with. I was determined to finish it and give it to one of the kids. Ri called dibs, so he got it. The pattern is the one row scarf pattern by the Yarn Harlot. I completed the scarf about an hour before dropping Ri off at the Ferry so he could complete his trip home.

Ri and M have put in requests for socks sometime this year. Don't know when that will be done, but it might just be Christmas 2012.

Well, off to get some more knitting and spinning done before returning to work next Monday.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Finished Damson

While on the trip to England I bought the book Whimsical Little Knits 2. There were a number of patterns that I really wanted to make. When L told me she was ready to quit working, I thought of making the Damson for her. I had some hand spun fiber that had been sitting in the stash for a while and I thought it would work up well in this pattern. I also thought it would look good on L.

I knit the Damson during my vacation time in July and then it sat, waiting to be blocked.

In October L was kind enough to take pictures for Jim and I. That gave me the perfect opportunity to present the shawl to her. I think she looks really good in the shawl and she will stay nice and toasty this winter.

I am definitely going to make this shawl again. I really like the construction of it and it's not like I don't have enough yarn sitting around around here. Who knows, maybe it will be a jumping off point and I will come up with something totally different.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Well Traveled Shawl

I started this shawl on the trip to England in April and completed it once I was home in VA. It's been in the car as the commuter project. Long rows of purl stitches makes the four minute light cycles go faster. It's finally blocked and has now been gifted to a friend. Hope she'll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.

The hurricane didn't affect us very much. We were lucky and just had rain and wind. We still have electricity, water and our lives are normal (as close to normal as normal can be). There are others in our area who didn't fair as well. Our prayers are with them.

One of the kids is here for a short visit. She will spend the next year in Spain on a study abroad program. Now off to get her up to head downtown.

Happy knitting and spinning.

I'm Not Lost Yet

It has been way too long since posting here. I really should get my act together and make a posting schedule.

I have been busy knitting, spinning, visiting with friends, visiting some museums and just relaxing, well besides doing my day job. About ten days ago, I went into DC. I haven't been there in about six months and thought I should go. I really wanted to see the Coral Reef before the display was taken down. This is only one of the many pictures I took that day. I have a few friends who crocheted some items to include here and thought I should see it completed. While I was there I met Jennifer Lindsay, who was the program coordinator for this project. It was interesting to talk with her and find out some of what was involved with this project. She said that Nature's Yarns had an outstanding representation in the reef.

I also went to the Renwick Gallery where I looked at some paintings, fiber arts pieces, and took a nap in the room where they have their video loop going. Yes, it had been a long day and it was after lunch with my husband. I was tired and full! Next time I go downtown, I probably shouldn't wait six months to go.

I have also been doing some knitting. We have two new grand-babies due soon. There has been baby knitting going on. But I also had the chance to make a wonderful scarf for my friend Vicky. I really enjoyed this project. It is Brooke's Column of Leaves (Ravelry link). The charts were easy to read and the knitting moved along really easily. I spun the yarn from some Polworth roving I got from Misty Mountain Farm when I went there with Sue some time this past early fall. I think I need to make me one of these scarfs, it's not like I don't have the yarn sitting around here to do so.

Soon I will be able to show what I have been making for the babies, but I don't want to spoil the surprise for the new baby's parents. When the packages are in the possession of the parents, I'll post pictures.

Happy knitting and spinning!

Two More Shawls

This first shawl in today's update is the Sun Ray Shawl (Ravelry link) by Elann. The shawl ended up being longer than wider for me, but I think it worked out okay for a throw around the shoulders kind of wrap. This was sent to M for Christmas and I haven't heard back whether she likes it or not.

The second shawl is the Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn Clark. I used beads instead of the nupps and really like how it turned out. Am- really liked it also. She called me the evening when she received it and thanked me which I greatly appreciated .
There are two photos of the Swallowtail, one so you can see the beads and the second to see the overall effect. I will definitely make this shawl again!

The picture of the last scarf/shawl I made for Christmas seems to have gone missing. Kar, if you would have 'bug' take a picture and send it, I would appreciate it.

I'm off to enjoy my last weekend of vacation with my knitting needles and spinning wheels. Enjoy. Happy knitting and spinning.

Two Christmas Shawl/Scarves

I can't find where I saved the rest of the pictures of the ear-flap hats I did for the boys for Christmas, so instead you get the shawls or scarves I did for the girls. The shawls were all done with hand spun yarn. I don't remember all of the patterns, maybe I should get organized with where I put all that information. I do know that the light colored one is a lacy baktus. I did put beads along the increase edge, but didn't get a picture of those.


I don't remember which pattern I used on the darker shawl/scarf, but hope the daughter it was sent for enjoys it. I haven't heard from her whether she likes it or not. I have heard from one of the other girls saying she really likes her's. You get pictures of the others in the not too distant future.

I have really enjoyed having the past two weeks off of work. I have gotten some yarn plied (pictures to come), I've worked on spinning up some fiber that has been on the Hitchiker since October, I'm finishing up some knitting projects and just today I've gotten all my hand spun sweaters washed. I have really gotten my fiber fix during the past ten days!

I'll leave you with a picture of two of the hats in action. These two hats have gotten a lot of use lately!

Happy knitting and spinning.

Two, Three, Four

These are more of the ear-flap hats I made the boys for Christmas. The variegated blue and pink hat went to Corb. His favorite color used to be pink.

The blue with variegated blue was made originally for Corb, but when I found out that Gareth would be with us during Christmas it ended up being wrapped for him. I didn't want him to miss out on Christmas presents when I had the ability to make something for him also.

The fourth hat was sent to Justin or Riley, I can't remember for sure. It's kind of bright! The variegated colors in this hat were from an Easter egg dye experiment. I tend to think it was sent to Riley, because if I remember right this yarn was from the sheep of one of his high school teachers.

Boys, if I have the hats labeled wrong let me know.

I have three more hats to show you. I made seven for gifts this past Christmas.

Today I was able to spend some time at the spinning wheels. I have some singles just about plied. I'll have a new skein soon!

Happy knitting and spinning.

One of Seven

I thought I would share one of the seven hats I made for this past Christmas. The older boys in my life all received an ear-flap hat for Christmas. This is the hat that went to Erik, I believe (it was either Erik or Ben). All of them, but one, were made with wool mostly hand spun or partially hand spun.

This week I get to enjoy quite a bit of spinning and knitting time. That's what I get when vacation time takes over. I'm looking forward to knit night tonight and maybe finishing a project or two this week.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Happy New Year 2011

Welcome to 2011. So many plans, vacations, new grandchildren, knitting projects, spinning projects and time spent with family to look forward to. I am hoping to do more blogging in 2011. Last year only had 39 posts, the same as 2009. I'd like to get back to 2008's stats which was over 100.

I'd like to knit more from my stash and to kick that off, I have my first FO for 2011. I purchased the fiber at my last fiber fair in Idaho Falls before moving to Virginia. This yarn was spun in 2008 which was originally used for a hat for a coworker. I used some for the hats I made the 'boys' for Christmas and then I used what was left for this hat for myself. I started it on Dec. 27 and finished it last night, but it wasn't quite deep enough for me. I frogged it this morning and used what was left of the yarn. It is now just about right and will match the coats I use daily.

This has been a lazy day full of watching the Rose Parade, football games, knitting and some spinning. What a great way to start off a New Year.

What are your plans for 2011?

Happy knitting and spinning.

New Glasses

I don't do pictures very well, but thought I would share this one of me wearing my new glasses.

About a month ago, I decided I could not wear my old glasses anymore. The nose piece would not stay where it was supposed to and it kept digging into the bridge of my nose. That was it! The first pair of glasses were purchased in July 2008 before we moved to DC. It had been two years and I thought it was time to get my eyes checked again. My eye sight had definitely changed and a new set of glasses ordered. I've been wearing them now for about three weeks and really like them. They were not as hard to get adjusted to as the first pair and the best part is..........no nose piece.

On the knitting front, I finished the baby afghan for J-b and K's friends baby. By the way kids, I need their address. I will have a picture up in the next couple of days. It was too dark last night by the time I finished the bind off.

Concerning the AC, it is FIXED and working well. Am I ever glad to have that working again. Just to think I went over 40 years without any AC at all and to be without it for one whole day was agony. How did I ever survive without it before? Oh yeah, it was NOT humid where I lived for the first part of my life.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Meg's Shawl

It has been a while since I last showed knitting content. I used my favorite quick pattern, the Forest Canopy Shawl.
I used Blue Ridge Yarn fiber in the Rock Climbing color . It doesn't look like they have it listed anymore.
I had four ounces which I spun and two-plied. I think it would have almost looked better Navajo-plied, but I didn't think I would have enough fiber to make the shawl then. I still like how it turned out and I have just a little yarn left to add to my collection of hand-spun leftovers.
It took me about four months to spin the fiber. What can I say, I got bored with it. But once I decided what I was going to do with the fiber the rest of the spinning and plying went very quickly. The knitting only took about two weeks and it was ready when ES left to go to Utah/Idaho for graduations and Arizona for work.

Meg likes the shawl and hopefully she will wear it often. ES told her it wasn't hand-spun, but I called right away and took care of that misconception.

I do have another shawl started, but then I also started a baby afghan for Bug's friend's expected little one due in June.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Shawl One for 2010

I finally listened to my phone messages last night, so know that this shawl has arrived and was well received. I spun this yarn from 8 oz of a discontinued color and fiber from Dianne. I love her fibers and get a new one each time I see her at a fiber fair.

I used Evelyn Clark's book Knitting Lace Triangles to design this shawl. The knitting went really fast. I think it took me only two weeks to knit and that was only knit night and my Nascar race watching knitting at that.

I'm glad that Aunt Gloria will be able to use this shawl and hope she will enjoy it for many years to come. I know it is warm and big enough. I had to try it out before sending it to her. C was even kind enough to hold it up for me one morning. With his dark suit on, you can even see some of the pattern.

Happy knitting and spinning.

A New Sweater

Bug tells me it is time to do another post. He wants to know whats happening in our area. As you can tell, we had a lot of snow. It's gone now except for where it is really shady. This picture was taken February 8 which was two weeks after the snowmageddon. Now it's a month later.

There has been a lot going on here. Not the least of which is knitting. I finally finished this sweater which was completely knit in November 2008. I did the embroidery on it in January, during the snowstorm, and have worn it a couple of times a week since then. It is becoming one of my favorite go to sweaters. The main yarn was some Galaway that I had in my stash. The contrasting color that I used for the three stripes in the yoke and the embroidery was yarn that Catherine sent me. She had spun the fiber and entered it in the Southeast Idaho State Fair. Every time I wear this sweater I am reminded of Catherine and all the friends I left behind in Idaho. I'll try to get a close up of the sweater, when I can get it off of me.

I went downtown last week and visited the Natural History museum. I have pictures, but I'll put some on next time. I also went to have lunch with ES. I am planning on going to DC once a month to see something new and have lunch with my hubby. It will be a good way to spend a day off.

Have fun knitting and spinning.

No Going Out in This

If you haven't heard, we have had a major snowstorm here in the DC area. I got home from work at about 3 pm Friday and haven't been out of the house since then, except to shovel and walk Cleo. It has been very nice to not have to worry about going places or doing lots of things during my days off. Church was even canceled yesterday! You can find more pictures of the snow on Flickr.

Consequently I have gotten some spinning and knitting done. I started my first bag of my own personal fiber club. This is BFL from Gale's Art that I picked up at the Montpelier fiber festival last October. There is 4 ozs in the Gum Ball color. It is spinning up very nicely.

I also got to wear a new pair of hand-knit socks. It only took me about six months to make this pair, but now that they are done they have been worn almost constantly. They kept my feet nice and warm while out shoveling on Sunday. I have made probably 25 pair of socks, but this is only my second pair for myself. The rest have been given as gifts.

This picture is of the first batch of yogurt which actually turned out. The first batch didn't set and was used in smoothies. This batch was done in the crock pot and was really good. My favorite way of eating it is to spoon some into a bowl and then put some strawberry topping for ice cream onto it. So good! There is about one cup left of this batch. It's time to try my hand again at making yogurt and hopefully it will turn out as good again.

Well, back to my spinning and knitting. I finished one thing which I'll blog about when it gets to it's intended recipient. I have pictures. I've also started new projects which I would like to get farther along before going back to work tomorrow.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Terra Cotta Warriors, Mt Vernon and a New Sweater

In the last post I said that we were heading into DC to the National Geographic Museum to see the Terra Cotta Warriors. It was very interesting, but no pictures were allowed, so the only pictures you get are after the tour. ES did spend quite a bit of time reading each display. C hurried, looked and then sat around waiting for us. I took my time, looking at what I wanted to see and reading what I wanted. C and I were in line at 5 pm, remember we were standing in line for free tickets for the 6 pm admittance. We were number 50 and 51 for tickets for the event. Each numbered ticket
was worth two admittance tickets at the door. ES ended up getting there just about 5:20. It was interesting to read about the whole burial area and what that entailed. I really liked seeing if I could see any color on any of the warriors and I could. Sometimes it was very faint, but it was there. We left the museum about 8:30, so we didn't do too bad time wise. Afterward, C and I had our first taste of Indian food. I can't say we were too fond of it, but it was good to try it.


Our other adventure was today. We went to see Mt Vernon, George Washington's home. I remember going there with Aunt Gloria thirty years ago this summer, but I don't remember much of the experience except for the porch facing the Potomac. That is still a grand view! The mansion is quite something also. The dining room is the first room you get to visit on the tour. It is decorated with an agricultural theme on the sealing and fireplace. The fireplace mantle has a wonderful relief of some sheep in the center section of it. I really would have liked to get a picture of it, but no cameras allowed. We spent a lot of time there today. We got there about 11 am and didn't leave until about 4:15. C didn't put up much protesting about having to go with us and I think for the most part he enjoyed it, but he would have liked to have left an hour or two earlier. Oh well, he survived and is now hanging out with some friends enjoying the last of the long weekend.

The mansion was the perfect place to show off my new sweater, the February Lady Sweater (Ravelry link). I spun the yarn for this sweater with some fiber purchased from Wasatch Watercolours at the Idaho Falls Fiber Festival in 2007. It had been sitting in the stash until January 2009 when I decided to pull it out and start spinning it. The yarn has been sitting in my kitchen holdall for about four months waiting for it's bath which I completed the end of November. The trip to Idaho was the perfect time to make this sweater and I am quite pleased with how it turned out. I wore it to Church last week with a black dress and a friend asked if I had made the sweater to go with that dress specifically. I told her no. I made it to go with a number of clothes in my closet, because I can dress up for work now and wear all the sweaters I want.

Well, off to get ready for the work week. Happy knitting and spinning.

I am Still Around

I figure it is about time to let you know I am still around and knitting. I am really enjoying my one full-time job and am getting used to a set schedule with two days off a week.

On Halloween we had a going away party for Carri. I presented her with this scarf which I spun and knit for her.

I forgot to take a picture of her in the scarf, so am hoping she will send me one. She is heading back to the Utah area and will be sorely missed by all at work. I will be calling her often though and asking for advice and instructions, I'm sure. And I am sure that the scarf will get plenty of use. She is always cold.

I also decided I was tired of spinning what I have been working on. I pulled out a 4 oz bump which I got in my fiber club installment from the Yarn Pirate and I am about half way done spinning it.
This colorway is called Haunted and I am really liking how it is spinning up. It is a superwash and I am spinning it in my usual modified long draw way. I think this will make a really pretty three ply and will make a good hat for one of the boys. I will show pictures of the spinning and finished yarn when it is completed.

I have also gotten to attend knit nights on Wednesday night again, one of the perks of the full-time---no more 9 pm closing shifts either--job. Granted, I won't get there until after 7 pm, but I get to interact with other knitters on a weekly basis.

Maybe I can get back into regular posting mode, also. But that might be stretching it. Oh well, off to enjoy my day off and meet a friend for lunch.

Happy knitting and spinning.

One Bib Coming Up

Just a little bib. It didn't take very long to make. I should get busy and make it some of my car knitting. I'd like to get a few done for the new babies and as baby gifts for friends. There is always someone around me expecting or just had a little one. And I have quite a few balls of Sugar n Cream just sitting in a stash. I could free up some stash room and have gifts.

Not much else going on around here, just work, getting C ready for school, some spinning and a lot of knitting. Happy knitting and spinning.

Second Circular Baby Afghan

Here are pictures of the second circular baby afghan I made for one of the babies due in October. I really had fun with this pattern. The main body of the circle was done in Plymouth Encore yarn and the outside edge was done in a stash yarn. I didn't make the afghan to scale, my row gauge was off. But I think it turned out good anyways.


There are many more projects in the que. They are getting completed, slowly.

Off to have dinner with ES and C, for C's birthday (yesterday). Happy knitting and spinning.