Grin and Frog It

Project Specs:
Pattern: another plain weave square using my 6″ x 6″ Weavette
Yarn: The Fibre Company Terra
Size: exactly the size of my iPhone
My Ravelry Link

After weaving the square, I crocheted the seam using a slip stitch. It just happens to be the perfect size for my new iPhone.

I love it when I get to see a knitted gift in use. On my recent trip to Portland, I got to see my niece Mia in her Sweet Pea Sacque.

Perfect! She makes it look so cozy. And check out her cool baby leggings. These were not around when I had babies. Things change so quickly.

Project Specs:
Pattern: just a felted plain weave square using my 6″ x 6″ Weavette
Yarn: The Fibre Company Terra in various colors using scrap yarn
Size: 4.5″ x 4.5″
My Ravelry Link

I had some tiny samples of Terra hanging around and I thought I’d play with my new Weavette. Once I finished one, it seemed too big for a coaster, so I threw it in the wash to felt. It came out just right. I made four more right away. I absolutely love how the woven Terra felted. It’s so soft and still has a nice drape. I dream about buying enough Terra to make a blanket of felted squares.

First off, thanks so much to Michelle who responded with lightning speed to my request on Ravelry for more Eco Wool. It arrived in the mail so quickly. You’re awesome.

Project Specs:
Pattern: Hemlock Ring Blanket by Jared
Yarn: 2 hanks of Cascade Ecological Wool, color 8095
Needles: US 10 circular 40″ and 60″
Size: about 128 rounds, 54″ in diameter
My Ravelry Link; My Blog Links: The Search Begins

I knit beyond the 87 rows until I ran out of yarn. It turned out to be a nice sized afghan, but not big enough for two.

It was fun and easy knitting lace on heavy worsted yarn. I loved knitting the center flower, and the feather and fan pattern was easy to memorize after a couple rounds.

I was so close to finishing my Hemlock Ring Blanket, and then this happened.

I ran out of yarn with only a few stitches left to bind off. This bind off eats up the yarn and is time consuming. I don’t want to rip back and try the bind off on smaller needles. And I can’t bear to buy another 478 yards just to finish this little bit of knitting. I’m going to try to find someone who can spare just a little yarn, maybe a few yards will do.

Anybody have some Cascade Ecological Wool color 8095 in any dye lot? Pretty please?

Yes, I’m still very busy at work. There’s lots of new spring yarns coming in every day. And we’re starting to get ready for Stitches West. This is the first time I will be going along.

And with the busy holidays, there was essentially no blogging time. Whole months go by now without me noticing. Well and Ravelry has taken about what little blogging time I do have. My stash is all up there now, all 56,000 yards of it. All my projects are up too, but not with all the details. That will happen over time.

I have two projects I’m really focusing on right now. Most important is the sweater for Bill. I’ve got the back done, and the front has a few more inches to go. The DK ribbing on a men’s large sweater is going so slowly. But I’m determined to finish soon.

The other project I’m working on is the Hemlock Ring Blanket. It’s a fun and easy pattern. It’s moving along quickly. I’m trying to keep up with the Ready, Set, Knit! Podcast.

And with working full time this last year, my movie watching dropped tremendously. But I did manage to watch enough to compile my annual Best and Worst lists. I absolutely loved The Lives of Others and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Go see these movies, now.

Project Specs:
Pattern: April in December by Melissa available soon as a Valley Yarns pattern
Yarn: 3 skeins of Valley Yarns Southwick, color Flamingo
Needles: 4
Size: 6 months

This is a cardigan I finished last month for my new niece. I can’t believe I never got around to blogging about it. Thanks Amy for pestering me about the blog.

Project Specs:
Pattern: All-Purpose Waffle-Weave Towels from Handwoven’s Design Collection 18 by Marilyn Murphy
Yarn: Valley Yarns 8/2 Cotlin colors 8176, 6256, and 5604
epi: 24
Size: 24″ x 19″ before washing, 20 1/2″ x 15 1/2″ after washing
Pattern Alterations: I changed the color striping in the warp. I cut off the plain weave section of the towels before sewing. With it, the plain weave ends didn’t shrink at the same rate as the waffle weave and they were really wavy.

I should have chosen a much easier project for my first independent one. And I shouldn’t have added the extra pressure of it being a gift. I had problems with this project every step of the way. I started winding the warp way back in June. Finally I am finished. My first towel was awful. The second a little better. And the third even better. I no longer want to burn my new loom.

I do really like the texture of the towels. And the 8/2 Cotlin washes up so nicely.

This large box is what has been tormenting me ever since it arrived. I had absolutely no idea what it could be. All I know is that it was from my folks and Bill was in on it.

Finally I was able to open it Christmas morning. This is what I found.

This is what my dad wrote:
“July of this year, Bill e-mailed me wondering if I’d be interested in building a new gate for you since the one you had was in very poor condition. I told him I’d be happy to take on the project. During my visit in October, I discussed the gate with Bill. When I returned home, I began designing the gate in my mind. I concluded the original gate design really did not suit the style of your home or your family. The gate I built is my vision of what the gate should be, four parts of a whole with the whole being the family. It depicts four different personalities in your family, each going different directions, but held together as a family unit - The Childs.

The cedar used in building the gate was originally the beams in our basement bar room. The cedar is clear, heart wood, old growth cedar timber. When we remodeled the basement level, I saved the beams and recycled them for the green movement.”

I was completely shocked and touched by his gift. Homemade gifts are the best. Thanks Dad!

A mighty quick recap since I feel like I’ve been blogging all day…

Halloween

Jane Goodall, and A Hairy Eyeball, and why not?!

Knit Crochet Party-Nov. 16th

Thanks to everyone who came. It was so much fun, and relaxing. It was great to break in the new room.

Grandparents Visits in November

Ella’s Sweater Photo Shoot in October

One of my favorite pictures from Ella’s photo shoot.

Current Project Updates

Really Bill, I’ll finish this before you die.

A cardigan for my new niece.

This project isn’t done yet. I WILL finish it.

Whew! All caught up. Now maybe I can be a better blogger. I blame Ravelry.