Here Comes the Bride

Long Overdue

I've finally taken pics of my latest projects for you to peruse. This is because I've finally got all my ducks in a row for the wedding. We are 5 days away from the special day!!! We are sooooo excited.

Below is a feather and fan shawl I've resurrected from the UFO pile. I'm knitting it with a cone of cranberry linen I picked up at PASA in Uxbridge, MA. You never know what goodies Paul has there. I've knitted a good 3.5 feet so far and plan to at least double this length to make a wonderful shawl for moi. I just love linen; it improves with washing and drying.



Here you see the Opal Tiger sock coming down the home stretch. I am very happy with the ringwood pattern since it breaks up the striping of this yarn...notice the difference between the bottom of the foot versus the leg or top of the foot. I think I want to use this pattern again perhaps with a solid yarn.


And here is a cutie I saw at the Tolland Fair on April 29th.


If you are a bee lover trek over to Judith's blog to see her swarm. It is awesome. Then visit Kristen to see her honey harvest.

I've been exploring new blogs and enjoying reading them.

Pursed!!!

How often can we say we can make something from virtually nothing? Below is a case in point. As you can see below these are scraps of fabric in very odd shapes;perhaps they could have been thrown away. Not a chance....these "scraps" are pieces of my daughter's wedding gown that were mailed to me by her seamstress after she altered her wedding gown several weeks ago. My daughter told me she would like a purse for her wedding day. At first she suggested that I make it from my wedding gown as I did for the ring bearer's pillow, but with the scraps of her dress below I decided to create a bag for her. It was not easy. You see my dilemma;curved scraps that would not behave in the sewing.


Nonetheless I forged ahead and sewed them together as you can see. With the addition of my wedding gown fabric as a liner, a my wedding gown button and some satin cording I was able to create this.....


I managed to cut some lace flowers from my gown to cover the cording's frayed edges inside the bag. She and I are very happy with the results!


Obligatory Knit Content: The Opal Tiger sock number one nears completion. The linen feather and fan shawl is growing. I know I promised pics of these but I've been wedding busy. They will come in time.

Setting the Stage

This weekend was a special one because it set the stage for a wonderful event...Marisa and John's special day! Here you see gathered Marisa's sweet cousins and friends posing before their night on the town. They took Marisa to her Bachelorette Party in Newport. Need I say more....

Below is a very special pillow. It will hold the special couple's wedding rings. It's made from my wedding dress worn 35 years ago next September. I'm thrilled to have it be part of the ceremony and carried by my grand nephew. The excitement is building!!


Knit content: Work still continues on my Opal Tiger socks. I also picked up a linen feather and fan shawl from the UFO pile. I will post pics soon.

Standing Room Only

Last Friday the sock and I had a damn good drink after visiting Classic Yarns of Grafton. This was all Judy's fault, of course. On the spur of the moment I agreed to visit Grafton in order to hear the Yarn Harlot speak to quite a few knitters. I was at the back of the room and could barely see and hear her speak because there were so many in the audience. Many of us brought knitting along. As you can see above Judy is holding my sock ( made with Opal's new Tiger in a pattern for Gentleman's Hose in Vintage Sock Knitting) over a two limit Margarita at a lovely Mexican restaurant whose name escapes me at the moment. I drank while waiting for a low carb dinner ( just kidding).

Below you can see some of the knit bloggers who gathered at the restaurant after visiting with the Yarn Harlot. First we see Carol, who smiles so sweetly behind her beverage. Notice her wonderful cat's paw shawl knitted in Koigu.


Of course, other bloggers were there as well.


Can't forget these bloggers....... Somewhere in the crowded restaurant is Laurie, who has been waiting for the Alpaca man...hehehe. She sounded seriously addicted. I got to see her lovely blue socks in person by Jove.

Last but not least here is Stephanie speaking to other bloggers.....Notice Stitchy's aluminum can couture bag just behind her head in the pic below! Very Kitschy, Stitchy!

I did have a great time and believe it or not I bought no new yarn to add to my ever growing stash. I even managed to knit almost the whole leg of a sock by the end of the night...when I wasn't drinking Margaritas!

Shoots and Socks

This week has been exciting in the garden. One of my fragrant lilies...can't think of it's name at the moment....has begun to show itself. It is a beautiful snow white with a spectacular fragrance. I hope it will be as lovely as when I bought it. It is planted next to Cathy's daylilies which are popping up as well. The thrill of springtime in the garden is such a joy.

Here are the Trekking XXL fraternal socks I completed for my mom. I gave them to her as part of her Easter gift last Sunday. They fit her perfectly. She's very happy to add them to her collection of handmade socks. She loves all of them so much that she has me mending the older ones. She claims she's saving this pair for next fall and winter.

Well...I'm off to the coal mines!

Springtime Fibonacci and More

Fibonacci Poetry is in the air according to the Knitting Curmudgeon so I wrote one using Fibonacci sequencing:

Fibonacci Spring

The slow
The slow growth of
The slow growth of spring buds
Inflames my tenth sense
Sixteen times I have held the bud which cast me in its pregnant spell.



Blooming Pussywillow


Mrytle...Mrytle Turtle


Judy.....this is for the hummers of spring!

A Surprise Gift!

This is quite a week!!! Laurie sent me a lovely trio of Blue Sky Alpaca. She is so sweet to think of me. But how did she know that I needed such a treat this week of all weeks!!! My mom's illness and other events have made life challenging lately. Leave it to the kindness of the blogoshere to come to the aid of the weary.

I did continue working on socks for my mom. I'm coming down the home stretch of the second sock. I 'm thinking of what I can make with the Alpaca.......hmmmmm....maybe a hat or scarf!

Read, Knit and Spin

Read, Knit and Spin are some of my favorite things! I needed all of what you see, folks. I am in love with Inspired Cable Knits. I love most of the patterns and the inspiration that created them. The child's cabled sweater is lovely.

Last night I began reading Stephanie's Knitting Rules! and found many passages that ring true for the obsessed knitter. I count myself in this category. I'm looking forward to checking out her patterns as well. This will be tonight's reading.

As you can see I finished sock number one...a great knit made out of Trekking sock yarn. The colors are a delight to knit. And yes...I started sock number two as soon as I finished.

Below you see my surprise package from yesterday's mail. I ordered a spindle from Cathy's website.It is a beautifully created stone whorl spindle made of Jasper stone and an oak shaft. It also has a very clever brass hook that holds the singles well! Great design Cathy and M. Better than its looks is how it spins!!!! It is a lightweight spindle that nicely spins the wonderful merino fiber she sent along as a gift. I will be spinning more of this fiber tonight.

The Bridal Shower !

This is what being a mom is all about. See that smiling young woman holding the bow bouquet. That's my daughter posing with her bridesmaids at her bridal shower held last Sunday. That's why I haven't had time to post about anything knitterly lately.

We had a wonderful time celebrating her upcoming marriage with food and presents. Marisa's two sweet friends are to the left and my two sweet nieces are to the right. It was an intimate gathering of family and friends. The tables were decorated with fresh flowers and favors. I cheated and ate pasta and two pieces of cake .

Knitting Progress:
In spite of all the craziness of planning the shower and taking care of my mom I did manage to work on some projects. Of course, I did finish John's wedding socks and gave them to him on the day of the shower so he ,too, could have a present to open. Forgive the poor lighting...

It's a Start!!!

Well, well.....I've finally rejoined the blogosphere. It's been a busy time for me since my mom's been ill. Rest assured I've been knitting and spinning all the while. Above you see some wonderful merino Ashland Bay fiber I purchased from RI Handspun a few weeks ago. The red color is not as blue as the pic shows it to be. I'm spinning is very thinly in hopes of making a shawl with it.

Last night I had a great time at Sue's Knit In. Paula arrived and worked on a textured sweater in a dark red; thankfully she is feeling better. She hurt her foot last week :(. Judy came along wearing her newest felted dark beige scarf with interesting textures. Patty came as well; she' s been working on some socks for her demonstrations at Coggshell Farm. Sue showed us a delightful sock she knitted for her dear granddaughter.

We passed quite a bit of the time exploring old patterns that Norma passed along for the taking. We had a hoot looking at the vintage 50's and 60's knitted sweaters and outfits that each magazine revealed. At times we were crying because we laughed so hard.

Fish and Cats!!! Oh My!

DH has been playing with his aquarium this weekend. I must say the fish are having the time of their lives and so are we. This Pearl Gourami above is swiming in front of his new aeration device. I do love the sunset coloration of this fish particularly while it is basking in the limelight of DH's new Sunglow flourescent bulb.

Another star is the Gold Veil Angel which is our second oldest fish which is in the pucker mode...LOL.

Alas we can't forget to display our cats. This pic was taken just before Bennie nudged Ruth off the ladderback chair. As you can see she is comtemplating a jump.

Obligatory fiber news....I've been spinning some Mohave fiber from Ashland Bay which I hope to show you soon. Durrow has had a bit of attention in the knitting department.

Knitters Go for the Gold in Little Rhody!

Well..... Stephanie's influence has come to roost in Little Rhody. Today's Providence Journal Lifebeat section displays Team College Hill and a picture of four young women knitting their personal best. Believe it or not today I was asked by a friend if I was involved in the KO. I laughed and said..."I'm only in the cheering section of Team Boston!" Just ask Stitchy Mc Yarnpants.

I'm off to bed to sleep my personal best!!!

The Wheel's Whole Again!!!

If you remember this you will appreciate what is before you. After searching on Ebay several weeks ago, I found an antique flyer and bobbin which according to measurements appeared to be a fit for my new/old wheel.

When I received it in the mail, I excitedly began to try to fit it to my wheel, but first I had to find an old belt to cut up to recreate the leathers. With my brother's help I was able to get this New England Flax wheel to spin!!! He was able to refit the flyer and move it to the front closer to the orifice which in turn allowed the bobbin to fit properly. He also made a hole in the leather next to the front maiden. After securing the leathers with wooden matches minus the hot stuff, I was in business. She probably hasn't been spun on in years which is why she creaks and groans. I 've been adding oil to the usual places so that should improve her sound!

Here she stands.....a whole wheel. Next fall I hope to take her to the Hearthside Historic house where I demonstrate spinning with Sue and Sandy.

Odessa Self Portrait

Here's a not so great pic of moi wearing Odessa. This self portrait took only 12 shots ...LOL.

This is springtime at my house!!!! Thanks to Judith of Knitagarden I was able to force these Forscythia to enjoy a taste of spring.

I plod along knitting the loooooonnnnnggggg ribbing of Durrow. The yarn is scrumptious, and I long to begin the aran design sleeves. We are never happy with our knitting projects are we. We complain that this section is boring or I can't work on this now because it's charted and I have to concentrate. Or my arthritis is kicking up and these needles hurt my hands. But ....ohhhhh....when the project is done we are more often than not thrilled.

Of you get a chance check out Judy's blog for her newly dyed yarns. Her colors are wonderful as always.

I hope to get a picture up of Marisa's finished Scoop. I tried to upload it today, but the pic wouldn't cooperate...arghhhhhh!

Odessa is Finished!!!

A delightful and satisfying knit! That is my description of this project using Rowan's Kid Classic yarn and some purplish beads taken from my bead stash.The yarn is composed of lambswool and a bit of mohair...lovely to touch and very warm. Today is going to be in the 20's and a hat like this will keep me warm.

DH has been making the charts in the fish world. He's been raising some lovely Gourami in several varieties....blue, pearl and gold.The gold ,Trichogaster trichopterus, is displayed above. Do you know how hard it is to take a pic of a moving fish?

Marisa's Shawl

Marisa surprised me with pictures of her Adagio Shawl made with Sue's hand dyed yarn. It's lovely and again proof that mothers and daughters share knitting genes!

I continue to work on the Odessa hat which is nearing completion. I'm also toiling away on the body of Durrow.

Want a neat graph of a Celtic alphabet for knitting initials or for cross stitch? Check out this site.
You just type in the words and get a graph to print.

Lovin' Odessa

Odessa is a fun knitting experience!! Just enough beads not to frustrate a knitter and a lovely swirl that allows you to read your knitting quite easily. I just love knitting with Rowan's yarn. The color is not accurate on the monitor; it's a dark eggplant plyed with a black singles.

Flowers and Tea Cozy Versus the Blizzard

If you live in New England, chances are you experienced some snow this weekend due to the Nor'Easter that hit today. It could have been worse so I won't complain. At least we have reason to wear our woolies in the frozen weather. Due to these frigid conditions I thought some flowers were needed to perk us all up. My amaryllis displayed her colorful finery at our house. Thanks to a dear friend I also enjoyed some outstanding tulips. We need this boost of color!!!

Another savior of the February freeze was my sighting of numerous cardinals late this week in the wooded grounds where I work.. The darling males sat puffed up and reddened in the cold sun of Friday afternoon while the brown-red females chirped with their golden sunset beaks! It was all too much to absorb...this glorious riot of warm colors in a barren landscape.

I've been remiss in posting this week so I offer my tea cozy. Perhaps I post about my work on the incomparable Odessa by Grumperina soon......

Felted ( Fulled) Bobbles Scarf

For the last few weeks I have been knitting a lonnnngggggg boring scarf of stockinette stitch thanks to two people. The first is Gail H ; she wore a felted scarf to our guild holiday party that I just had to make. Then Barbara T sent me this wonderful Lion Brand pattern and I was off.

Above you can see the tying of some baubles to create interesting shapes while the scarf felts ( fulls) in the washer.

Here is the scarf after only one cycle in the washer.

I really like this technique!!! Maybe I'll explore more of this!

The Meme

Four jobs you've had in your life:
Nurse’s Aide
Teacher
Watch Band Packager
Cashier

Four movies you could watch over and over again:
La Strada
The Seduction of Mimi
Pushing Hands
King of Hearts

Four places you have lived:
Providence
Providence
Providence
North Providence

Four t.v. shows you love to watch:
Fawlty Towers
Last of the Summer Wine
Masterpiece Theatre
Barney Miller

Four places you've been on vacation:
Paris
San Francisco
Quebec
Pennsylvania

Four websites you visit daily:

Google
A Slew of Knit Bloggers
A Slew of Knit Bloggers
A Slew of Knit Bloggers

Four of your favorite foods:

Pasta
Cheesecake
Fresh Baked Bread
Chocolate

Four places you would rather be right now:
Trinity Repertory Theater
MOMA
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The Grand Canyon

Four bloggers you are tagging:
(Don’t feel you must do this...)
Paula
Kristen
Laura
Judith

Inspiration

As much as I enjoy posting about my fiber work , I also love to post about the knitting of others. They inspire me in every way! In the top left corner you see the the beginnings of the wonderful Inishmaan by Carol M using her Irish wool. At the top right is Paula's own aran design using wool/silk hand dyed by Paula herself. The second row reveals the work of my daughter, Marisa. She is now working on the sleeves of Scoop and finished a wonderful prayer shawl for a special person.