Thursday, January 27, 2011

Snow, and More Snow

It snowed and snowed and snowed. I woke up to cotton wrapped quiet and soft light in my bedroom. I looked outside and the world had been transformed into a white wonderland. Of course you can't think about shoveling and cleaning the snow off your car, you just have to let yourself go and enjoy the quiet and beauty.
I had to take pictures while it was fresh and undisturbed.
We had ginger pancakes with cream cheese and lemon sauce, yum!
I started to knit a pair of slippers to felt, but I think I used the wrong size yarn.
Looking around for inspiration, I find lots of things that grab my interest. I have always loved the birds eye view of things. Common things seem so different when you get in close. This is a handmade flower on the hat my daughter made.
A  really close look at my little iron roses, aren't they lovely?
 This lovely design is on the front of my small secretary.
A group of candlesticks waiting for a special dinner.
I love this old broach and it still has all it's rhinestones.

The moon slept over mountains
And lay like silence in the desert,
And it carved the shadows of great rocks like time.
The moon was mixed with flowing rivers, 
And it was buried in the heart of lakes,
And it trembled on the water like bright fish.
~Thomas Wolfe~

 

 



 

 

 


Monday, January 24, 2011

Mistakes

Last night I read the instructions to pick up 424 stitches around the front and neck of my sweater. I didn't discover that I had only picked up 414 until the 14th row of rib knit. I know, I know, I did count, but I must have been talking too much on that last strip.  I have been knitting this sweater for about 8 months, it was supposed to be finished for Christmas, but I have been side tracked. I was feeling pretty good as I rounded the corner on my 14th row and started the buttonholes, thinking that maybe I would be able to finish it this week and block it, when uh oh, something wasn't right. Well, now I am faced with the job of frogging the whole rib knit, so I shoved the whole thing in a bag. I have been avoiding looking in the direction of the bag, but it keeps leaking strands of yarn, so I am going to be forced to deal with it before it gets me in my sleep.
I had my crochet hooks out to help me pick up the stitches, so maybe I was distracted by all those hooks.
Or maybe it was the pencil, I have to find something to blame for the stupid mistake of not counting the stitches until I reached the 14th row. 
Maybe a tea break will help!
Or some grapes, anything but ripping out 14 rows of rib knit.
Or maybe doing piggies on baby toes. No I'm afraid there is no help, I just have to get started, ugh!



 

 

 

Friday, January 14, 2011

It's Friday

 This is the Juneberry shawl being modeled by my beautiful daughter, Danielle.
 This week, my daughter Janna visited with my new grandson. I knitted Elias this sweater set and scratch mitts. The sweater set was knitted from Classic Elite worsted cotton. It is Fox Fibre, which is a naturally colored grown cotton, blended with natural cotton, with no chemical or other finishing. The color is pure and soft naturally.
 Janna chose the buttons for the sweater, I think they are great.
These cute mitts were knitted from a combination of cashmere/silk.

At Last

 Several days ago, I finished the Juneberry Shawl and blocked it!
 I am pleased with how it turned out.
 I am sure my sister-in-law will like it.
 And Morgan approves.
As soon as I finish the sweater for my brother, I will be starting on a vest for my daughter.  The yarn is wound and ready.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Juneberry Shawl

I have been working on my sister-in-law's shawl and have now finished over half of the border. This pattern was so great and well done.  I purchased it from Brooklyn Tweed and it has been a joy to knit.
I should be finished by the end of the week, then I can block it. I am very happy with the way it turned out.
Breakfast was provided by my daughter Miakoda, and it was delicious.
 


 

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Progress

I have finished A and B charts for my shawl, so I am progressing nicely. I even bought new Addi needles yesterday, so thing should go even smoother.
I spent the day yesterday at the bookstore, and had plenty of time to look at all the new selections of knitting books.
This big Christmas tree was standing in a courtyard by the bookstore.
My daughter in front of the tree.
Some pretty Christmas decorations in the courtyard.

I want to wish everyone a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!