Morning Musings

I love early morning, before anyone else is up. I love the light in the morning. Sometimes in the morning, I just walk around my workroom and touch my fabrics and yarns, thinking of the ways to use them. Mornings are the most productive for me.

 My kitty, Morgan (a.k.a little prince) in his usual spot at the foot of my bed. He is waiting for me to pay attention to him.

 Raggedy Anne hold a spot of honor in my workroom.

 My little teddy, Anne, one of the first denim teddy bears I made.

 I love this little knitted doll. I knitted her from a pattern by Claire Garland.

 My little group that never fail to put a smile on my face.

I wish you all a soft pink, peaceful morning.

Frustration

I started this shawlette for my sister-in-law. I had some difficulty, then discovered that there was an errata for the pattern, which I printed out. I was doing fairly well until I hit row 86, then frustration set in. I went on Ravelry and read all the articles about this project. Fellow knitters admitted that it was a difficult row and offered tips on how to do it. I knitted and unknitted the row at least ten times, true frustration. I was ready to pull my hair out and beat my fists against the wall. I had decided to not be defeated by this pattern, but in the end I took great glee in giving up. As I rewound the yarn into a ball, row after row being pulled out, I gave a big sigh and vowed to find a more clearly written pattern. This shawlette is from the book, "Brave New Knits" by Julie Turjoman. Ysolda Teague, the designer of this beautiful shawlette, The Orchid Thief is truly an amazing designer. Someday in the distant future, a very distant future, I may tackle it again.

 I found a beautiful pattern for a shawl on Brooklyn Tweed, so I ordered the pattern. Then I discovered that all my #9 needles had unfinished projects on them, so I had to dig out my old needles from bygone times. The shawl  is coming along nicely, with well written instructions. I am using the same yarn and hope that things go smoothly. The pattern is called Juneberry.

 I will keep you posted on my progress.

 

New Yarns

I treated myself to a few new yarns and they are so yummy! These are two 4 oz skeins from Green Mountain Spinnery of 100% New England Wool.

 And this gorgeous wool is Suri Alpaca from Ajax Acres. Isn't it yummy?

 This beautiful yarn is 65% Baby Alpaca, 10% Cashmere, 10% Camel, 15% Silk, from Road To China Light. The color is Lapis, it is heavenly, and so soft.

 I love the color of this Tweed Cascade 220 form Cascade Yarns. My only problem now is deciding what to make with them.

 I can't help adding to my stash!

Sunrise

This is one of the benefits of getting up before sunrise. What a glorious sunrise!

Welcome Elias

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE AND PEACE ON EARTH!

My new grandson arrived a little early, just after Thanksgiving. He is precious!

He was born on November 27, 2010. This picture was taken on November 28, 2010.

 This picture was taken on December 23, 2010.

Elias's hands, so sweet.

 Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all men.

Lessons

This is how I feel today. This is my morning coffee cup and it usually makes me smile, but today I feel like the cup.

I am knitting a sweater for my daughter for Christmas and only have five days left, so for once I made myself knit a gauge swatch. So far, so good, the swatch turned out to be pretty right on.

 I cast on 226 stitches and knit away, it looked beautiful and I was exhilarated, but then I started to wonder how I was going to attach the top to the bottom, as I did not see any instructions. This is when everything went south.  I realized that I had not read the instructions all the way through before starting, a no-no. A lesson to be learned is to read all the way through the instructions before you start. The second lesson, is to knit the garment in the order in the pattern. Now I have to figure out what I am going to do. Oh well--------

 Self portrait

 

Thoughts

I can't believe it is December already. I am not ready for Christmas, I need a few more months. I always have big plans for the things I am going to make everyone. I know that I have three or four pairs of socks on knitting needles, just waiting to be finished. My yarn stash grows along with my plans.

 I bought this alpaca at a farmer's market last month. I am in love with alpaca. I don't know exactly what I will use it for yet, I just know it is heavenly and soft.

 And, yes I made a second trip and bought more, I think a slightly lighter shade.

 Then I made a trip to my LYS and bought this superwash Merino. I started this shawlette for my sister-in-law, but about the 32nd row I ran into trouble with the pattern. I figured out the problem with that row, but ran into more trouble further on. The pattern is from the book "Brave New Knits" by Julie Turjoman. The design is called The Orchid Thief Shawlette, designed by Ysolda Teague. I had to go on her web site to find the errata for it. I will not give up, I can do this, I can, I can, I know I can. 

  There is a lot of beauty in the world around us, sometimes in the most mundane and common things.

Beauty surrounds us,we have only to open our eyes and see.

MIAKODA'S BIRTHDAY!

Miakoda turns 22 today! She is a unique and beautiful person. 

 I have learned to look at life in a whole new and interesting way, thanks to her. She has the ability to make everything more wonderful and fun. 

She is innovative, spontaneous and creative. There is no one else like her!

I am so lucky she is my daughter! I love you Miakoda!

Friday

Halloween Corn

Fall is my favorite season, cool, crisp air, apple cider, pumpkins, and Halloween. 

Morgan was in the window and wanted to join me outside to do a little decorating for Halloween.

 Nanook is looking wistful, but maybe he is just thinking about his next treat. 

Anyway, it's Friday and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Cincinnati Reds 7 to 4 to take a two game lead in the National League Playoffs. I am a Phillie fan, but it is a conflict for me as I used to be a Cincinnati fan back in the Pete Rose, Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan days.

GO PHILLIES!

A Visit to my Studio

I have a studio in a room next to my bedroom, which makes it very convenient when I want to work late at night without disturbing the rest of the household. This is where I sew and sketch my designs.

These are the trusty sewing machines my daughter and I use. I sew most things by hand, but I do use the sewing machine for bigger designs.

 One of the corkboards (I have two) that hold my inspirations and memorabilia.

 My reference books

More reference books and magazines and sewing notions.

Some of my fabric

 A few buttons

Some thread and ribbon

 More fabrics

Some of my yarn stash and finished bears waiting to be sold.

 A dress form and some friends

 More yarn stash and sewing notions

The corner of my desk

 And this little bear was an early pattern I was working on and she decided to remain with me, her name is Anne. I work hard trying to keep organized, but I must admit that at times it gets out of control and I spend hours looking for something I have misplaced. I keep my patterns and information in a metal filing cabinet, but I admit that it need to be organized. I will try to accomplish that this fall.