Baby Shrug

Luckily I've finished this gift before the baby gets much bigger. I even managed to make a knitted tam. The Baby Shrug was easy to knit In Bernat's Cotton Tots. The pattern is from Debbie Bliss's Simply Baby.... a book I heartily recommend for the photos alone.






Out and About:
Check out Chicknits new sweater.... and this pic of mittens.

Today I Post the Sock Cavern

The sock cavern is an interesting subject for discourse. Just think how we sock knitters can create a shape that the anatomically correct foot can enter and be satisfied. Quite a feat...huh! I leave you to ponder this thought.

This sock is made of yarn I won at Kristen's blog recently. I love the pink coloring.

Special thanks this week to Mr. and Mrs. Etherknitter!!! They helped me solve the saving the blog issue by recommending this open source software to archive my website. Not to mention Mr. E's extra help to get my site saved immediately!!! I should also mention that Margene recommended this site as well.

Are You Going to Scarborough Fair?

Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Remember that song from years gone by? I always think of it when I go to Scarborough State Beach in South County, RI. Well.....needless to say I spent some of yesterday at the beach with Judy if you haven't heard already.

I thoroughly enjoyed the bit of fog and sun and the knitting and conversation. I took a few pics that I wanted to share:

Keens in the beach sand......

Hazy beaching............

The lovely Plovers running and flirting with the shoreline........

The atmospheric clouds..........

What a day to enjoy!

Baltic Socks

Happily I have another UFO to report...Baltic Socks a Peace Fleece pattern. These socks were fun to make. A bit of fair isle patterning to keep your interest. They are knit with Cestari yarn...a wonderful wool blended with Yak. These socks can be worn only in boots or as slipper socks. I may add suede bottoms so they can be worn safely.

My plan is finish up as many UFOs as possible so I can feel free to start at least three new projects. Breaking my rule ( evil grin) I've already started the Chiagu Eva Envelope Clutch. Pics to follow....

Eye Candy Friday

Summer's blossoms are on the wane......

To Die For

Lately...I've been checking out a few web sites that seem promising for knitters. One is Yarnival. Love the web address...Guzzling Cakes...LOL. Eve at Yarnival is starting " a Blog Carnival for knitters to showcase their content, regardless of their place in the knitting food chain." Anyone who writes a knitting related blog can submit what they want to it. Sounds like a neat idea!!!

If you haven't checked out Knitty magazine, get there now! There are some dynamite patterns for the fall. I'm in love with Avast and the Cablenet sock. Also MagKnits has some interesting patterns...

Last weekend...I had the distinct pleasure of visiting Jan D's home for our annual Dye Day.
There was much food and dyeing fun to be had as you can see below. I tried a new dyeing technique that omits heat in the process, but I'm not quite sure the process produced the color I wanted. I mean I love the pastels of the fiber in the first pic but I wanted a more intense color.


The second pic shows some linen I dyed that day. I am very satisfied with this color;perhaps I'll try weaving with this.

I'm not so pleased with this linen and silk; of course it was a medium brown color to start with....

I am pleased with Mother Nature's Marigold!

The Last Knit

The 3D animated video can only be appreciated by the truly obsessed knitter! I just had to share it with you.

Saving Your Blog

Hard to believe that this is where I was several weeks ago enjoying the view in Matunuck!!

On to my question.....I hope that all of you, gentle readers, will weigh in on this question that has been a concern of mine for the past year. Do you plan to save all of your archives on your blog? Or will Blogger or Typepad or whoever save archives indefinately. Perhaps at some point they won't keep saving the archives principally because of bandwidth concerns.

What will you do about saving your blog? Please comment and let me know what you think.

In the Pink

Today I'm in the pink! One of the members of my knitting guild asked us to make a pink sweater that will be donated to an orphanage in China. Whenever a female child is adopted she is dressed in a pink sweater. I wonder who will wear this sweater. I wish her health and happiness. Sue of RI Handspun sells the pink yarn for this project at a discount if you decide you'd like to make one for the cause.

Last night I couldn't resist...I know...I know...the stash is growing...but it's just one ball! I bought one of Lisa Sousa's sock yarns in a knock out color called Mars Quake. I can't wait to get it and start the socks.

Mind Patterns

I've decided that I'm passionate about patterns. Yes....knitting patterns, of course, but it it is deeper than that. It harks back to our species atavistic traits. Love of the primitive zig and zag, whorls and waves imprinted on early pottery and textiles.

These patterns draw the eye into a rhythmic trance that delights. Consider as well the textural quality...The Braille of a gansey or aran pattern that equally delights the eye as well as the hand.

Yes....the mind is in love with patterns and more so when pattern is combined with color. That is exactly why elaborate fair isle patterning draws me over and over.

Textiles delight the mind through all our senses.

Weaving Report: I'm happy to say that I'm back to playing with my small looms. Last night I located my inkle loom to finish a project begun by a dear friend and spinning teacher who showed me how to weave on the inkle loom a few years ago. I finally decided to finish what she began so I can begin another inkle project thanks to Sara's inspiration.


Knit Report: Here is a charity project that is almost finished.


Just in time I've finished two surplices for a friend's twin grandchildren who were born prematurely.

I also picked up the mate to the cashmere/ wool sock you see below. I'm just about to turn the heel of the second sock.


Lastly....Durrow has made an appearance with the advent of the cooler weather. I just have to knit the sleeves.

To Felt or to Weave

To felt or to weave .....that is the question, but it wasn't a dilemma for me. I decided to do both these last few days. The bag below made out of New Zealand Charisma felted verrrry quickly; thankfully I took Sue'a advice and checked it often. I must say it made me smile. I need to consider what type of button to use. Should it be an understated button that does not compete with the colors or a knitted /crocheted button. Time will tell.



I had a much better weaving result this time with the table runner project below. I hope the recipient likes it as it's a special gift in exchange for the antique wheel he gave me. Scroll down this page to see the wheel.

Warping All By Yourself

I've begun my next weaving project today. After reviewing my copy of Warping All By Yourself, I managed to dress my ridged heddle with the help of DH to tension the warp.

We were in our hot dining room while roasting a piece of pork in the kitchen all the while trying to tension the warp...... trying not to swat each other. "Pull it tighter...no... you haven't tension every bit of the warp." On and on we went until voila it came together. I spent a few hours after dinner happily weaving. This time I used wool and silk for both the warp and weft.


I did manage to weave about a foot and a half; I'm happy with the results so far.

Also this weekend I managed to finish knitting a bag that I'm planning to felt soon. I do love the way the colors pooled. I used a pattern by Farmhouse Yarns called the Cape Cod Bag. I knitted it in Charisma a wonderful New Zealand Wool that I purchased from Sue at RI Handspun.

Weaving Shots

I'm posting these weaving pics at Vanessa's request. I absolutely love her Alice Starmore Cape Cod sweater. If you haven't seen it go here; you won't be disappointed.

This morning I finally got around to washing this table runner made with rayon and wool and silk. It's drying on a rack in my driveway.

You know it occurred to me this morning that my neighbors must think I'm strange. Some days I have skeins of freshly spun or dyed yarn swinging from my driveway lights...not to mention this table runner flapping in the breeze. I try to dry fleece in the backyard for fear they'll think I've skinned an animal....ROFLOL.





Obligatory Knitting Progress: I have finished one of the two baby surplices I'm knitting for twins. I've begun a new project a felted bag made out of variegated Charisma yarn.

Spinning: I'm still toiling away at flicking a gray fleece for a gift of handspun yarn for a friend.

Knit In at Sue's: We had a good time last night. Gail and her daughter, Patty, Paula, Sue, Carol R and Marisa and I were in attendance. Gail was working on a lovely red and yellow cotton hat as well as an Italian pink wool surplice. Her daughter was knitting a perfect blue shawl that just happened to match her blue eyes. Paula was finishing a wonderful dark red pullover. Patty showed us her green and creamy white Opal thigh- high stockings she wears for spinning demonstrations at Coggshell Farm in Bristol, RI. She is now knitting another pair in blue and white. Marisa thought she came to knit, but decided to unravel her latest sweater in Debblie Bliss Soho because it was too big for her. We all helped to unravel and ball the yarn. She began anew...this time knitting it in a the smallest size.

Carol R brought her Einstein sweater in a rich, red Rowan Magpie. She was sewing the final seams in mattress stitch. It is lovely!!!! I tried it on, and ,of course, I want to make it!!! When will the coveting of sweaters end?

Sue was a good girl...resting her arm by not knitting!!! It must have been hard for her...I can only imagine being not able to knit. We missed Judy and Barbara!!

Lace Challenge Finalist!!!

What do you know! I made the finalists for Amazing Lace Challenge #5!!! I'm surprised about making the finals. It's a hoot.... Check out the different finalist pics...you'll enjoy them.

I finished two projects this summer. The first below is Tivoli by Grumperina which I made in Debbie Bliss's Cathy yarn. I have to say this yarn is wonderful for a summer knit. It feels so good to knit and wear.


The next finished project is a red linen lace stole in Feather and Fan pattern. I finished this due to the Amazing Lace contest. Thanks, Rachel and Theresa for the inspiration. It was easy to complete once I put my mind to it.

I've begun to finish a second lace UFO due again to Amazing Lace. I'll post pictures if anyone wants to see it. It's a neat feather and fan triangular shawl knitted in Icelandic and silk two ply on size 3 needles.

Last but not least hubby has been playing with his hobby as you can see below. His Angelfish have been growing by leaps and bounds.


Mittens Abound: I've been thinking about making some mittens. Sandy has been working on a lovely pair from Folk Knitting in Estonia that have inspired me. Then, of course, Dave has started the Bitchin Mittens project. Hmmmmm....I'll have to think about this. I do have some fingering weight alpaca in black and white I could play with.....

Weaving Progress: I get by with a little help from my friends!!! Thanks Sue and Carol M for helping me to warp my ridged heddle loom last Saturday. You'll both be glad to know I finished weaving the piece today. The down side is that I am not pleased with the weaving, but I have used this project as a practice session, and I plan to warp the loom again this time using wool and silk. I'm inspired !!!

Where's Waldo?

In compliance with the Amazing Lace Contest I have created a second post today.....here is my entry. Where is the lace?

Sunday Eye Candy

This morning this lovely Hibiscus flower greeted me! What a great smile it produced which is especially needed when doing the bothersome chore of weeding.

Last night...I needed a new activity to break the boredom of knitting Picovoli so I made a pair of sterling silver earrings to wear. It all began when Sue and I made a trip to the East Side to visit some of our favorite stores. We began with lunch at the new sandwich store which replaced Daily Bread then we went to La Strada...I was bad and bought a lovely pair of sandals.

Next was a visit to A Stitch Above where I purchased three skeins of Lorna's Laces which may be used for a baby gift for twins. Can you knit bloggers make some suggestion for what to knit for twins. It's a challenge given you need to knit for two of them so choosing something small to do is twice as important.

Stormy Clouds

Last night provided a cloud show for our area. The steamy temperatures in the 100's of course produced the wonderful thunderheads you see above. They are both awesome and fearsome. They brought very little rain to our area, but wrought havoc for others.

Knitting news: Very little to report here. I worked on Picovoli and I am past the waist decreases. I'm also coming down the home stretch with cashmere sock number one.

Spinning news: Spun some red merino fiber called Mohave purchased from RI Handspun so that I can fill a second bobbin for a two ply destined for shawl knitting.

I've been reading Too Much Wool and she's inspiring me to take out my inkle loom one of these days. She's also been trying some card weaving which has piqued my interest as well.

The Foster Fair and Flowers

What a weekend at the Fair. As you can see below there are some wonderful projects. Upper left is Carol M's beautiful blue ribbon Aran sweater. Upper right shows my blue ribbon prize winning skein of wool/mohair and angora. Bottom left is Paula's Best of Show handspun shawl and my blue ribbon Opal socks. Bottom right is another of Paula's blue ribbon entries.


Of course....I had to post some garden shots! I'm in love with my Casablanca lily. Too bad I can't smell its lovely fragrance due to my head cold. I'm totally enjoying the Hibiscus bud and flower pics as well.

What Does a Gal Need?

What does a gal need when she's had a tough week with the darndest *&*#*### head cold in the world? Especially when she's missed out on her Tuesday night knit in at Sue's and a workshop with Candace Eisner Strick on Thursday. Well...of course, she needs yarn and more!! Kristen of Audioknits fame so sweetly mailed me my gift for winning her blog contest to commemorate a rather special birthday. You know the one that scares the living daylights out of all of us, but also frees us to do what we all damn well please..... Happy" do what you please" Bday to Kristen!!!!

Thanks, Kristen for the Opal yarn and new knit accessories bag as well. They're lovely!!!



Tomorrow....I'll post about the Foster Fair, knit and spin projects and my Casablanca Lily.

Picovoli and Nalbinding

The hot weather has been keeping me away from wool so I've managed to get some of Grumperina's Picovoli done. I must say I love working with Debbie Bliss's Cathy. it is very soft and I'm loving the color. I'm sure the monitor colors don't quite get the color right, but trust me it's a lovely gray-blue. I am not too happy with my increases so I wrote to the Techknit list for advice. They are always willing and eager to help and the email traffic is very low. One of the listees suggested I knit into the back then the front of the stitch instead of the other way round to get a better looking increase. I will try that technique soon.....

It's a joy to work on this shell pattern because there will be no sewing up to do since it's knit in the round.



Today I spent a good part of the morning organizing my stash. Believe it or not I removed most of my new yarns from the dining room corner to some plastic boxes in the basement. Now....you all know this is dangerous! If that dining room corner is empty, you can guess what I'll do......fill it with more yarn!!!! When will it end? At least DD is a knitter now and can benefit from my acquistions :).

While surfin' the web I found some interesting articles on Nalbinding....knit and crochet's cousin.
Enjoy the Links!