Knitting Up The Road

Happy 2012!

2012-01-01T07:48:00.000-06:00

Time for new beginnings of creating the very best life for the rest of our days. I really can't give any better wishes than the ones presented on this greeting card so have borrowed it to share.

New Year's Wishes

May you get a clean bill of health from yourdentist, your cardiologist, your gastroenterologist, your urologist, yourproctologist, your podiatrist, your psychiatrist, your plumber and the I.R.S.

May your hair, your teeth, your face-lift, your absand your stocks not fall; and may your blood pressure, your triglycerides, yourcholesterol, your white blood count and your mortgage interest not rise.

May New Year's Eve find you seated around the table,together with your beloved family and cherished friends. May you find the foodbetter, the environment quieter, the cost much cheaper, and the pleasure morefulfilling than anything else you might ordinarily do that night.

May what you see in the mirror delight you, and whatothers see in you delight them. May someone love you enough to forgive yourfaults, be blind to your blemishes, and tell the world about your virtues.

May the telemarketers wait to make their sales callsuntil you finish dinner, may the commercials on TV not be louder than theprogram you have been watching, and may your check book and your budget balance- and include generous amounts for charity.

May you remember to say "I love you" atleast once a day to your spouse, your child, your parent, your siblings andcherished friends.

And may we live in a world at peace and with theawareness of God's love in every sunset, every flower's unfolding petals, everybaby's smile, every lover's kiss, and every wonderful, astonishing, miraculousbeat of our heart.

Still 2011

2011-12-27T09:25:00.000-06:00

Christmas Day is over but the sentiments, visiting and good eating are still going on. Sad how ordinary life crops up in the middle of the fun by requiring cleaning and laundry. All the ads seem to be pushing us into 2012 while I am still savoring (read getting used to) 2011. Early this year we were saddened by the death of one of Ron's cousins, Glenn Reece, then at the end of the year lost Ron's mother, Thelma Reece. Two large losses yet the Lord has carried us through and we are having a great time sharing about these people and old times with some of Ron's cousins & family.

Mother asked me what I would really like for Christmas and I requested a hanging needle holder like she made me last year. This is the one she made for my longer, 36-40 inch circular needles. The hanger broke so this year she reworked the top a little.

Lots of room in each pocket so I can put several needles of the same size in each one.

This year I wanted one for 16 -24 inch lengths. Mother pulled out fabric and zipped out this one for me.

Perfect! Here is a little closer view of the pockets.

No more having to dig through packages of needles to find the right size then straighten the cables!

By the way, I have learned a trick to straighten the longer cables. I use a microwavable heating pad, get it hot, clothespin each end of the needle to a sturdy rug and lay the hot pad on top for a few minutes. Take off the hot pad and let the needle cable cool while pinned straight. It has worked every time for me.

Christmas Sweets

2011-12-24T19:01:00.001-06:00

I inherited my dad's sweet tooth. He loved candy, cakes and pies year round but most especially at Christmas. For some reason we seldom make fudge and other candies except at Christmas. I was about 8 when our family tried making taffy. Dad always bought saltwater taffy at the Texas State Fair in Dallas but this time Mother cooked it up and Dad had my brother & me helping him pull it. I remember how sticky and messy it was but it tasted yummy. Don't remember ever trying that again.

Another of Dad's favorites and one of mine was fruitcake. My friend Knitrageous wrote about the famous Collin Street Bakery fruitcakes. They are really good but Dad's favorite was one his mother always made and Mother, then I, followed suit. My grandmother would not tolerate wine or liquor in the house except for the bit of wine to season her fruitcakes. She would wrap the cake in cheesecloth and saturate the cheesecloth with wine. Then it was wrapped in foil and set aside for several days. If she thought it was needed, a little more wine would be added. I have used wine but also used apple cider for a teetotalers version. Any fruit juice with a little "tang" would work.

I'll share the recipe for Dad's favorite, a dark fruitcake. I like it very much but my favorite is actually a white fruitcake.

Fruit Cake

Oven - 275 degrees

Mix together:

1 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups brown sugar - packed in cup

4 eggs

Beat vigorously for 2 minutes.

Sift together:

2 cups sifted flour

1 tst baking powder

2 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp allspice

1 tsp cloves

Stir into oil mixture alternately with 1 cup fruit juice(pineapple or orange).

Mix 1 cup more sifted flour into

1 cup shaved citron (Mother & I leave out & substitutesgreen cherries)

1 cup chopped candied pineapple

1 1/2 cup whole candied cherries

1 cup raisins (light are better)

1 cup chopped figs

3 cups coarsley chopped nuts

Pour batter over fruit, mixing thoroughly.

Line 2 loaf pans with brown paper. Pour batter in pans. Place pan of water on lower oven rack. Bake cakes 2 1/2 - 3 hours in slow oven - 275deg.

After baking let cakes stand 15 minutes & remove frompans & cool on rack without removing paper. Cover & store to ripen. Ifcakes are to be kept a long time remove paper & wrap in wine soaked cloth& store in cool dry place.

My Loving Mother-In-Law

2011-12-05T17:01:00.001-06:00

Thelma Lee Britton Reece

Born, June 19, 1915 in Franklin Co, AL, diedDecember 2, 2011 in Garland, Dallas Co, TX.

Random bits about the woman I knew for more than 47years as my loving mother-in-law and friend.

Thelma was the youngest child of William CliftonBritton and Mary Amanda Louvon Upton Britton. Her mother died in the flu epidemic of 1918 when Thelma was 3 and herfather and oldest sister died in the measles epidemic of 1920. Their grandmother and aunt placed thesurviving four daughters and one son in the Buckner’s Orphanage in Dallas soonafter their father’s death.

About age 19 when Thelma left the orphanage shejoined her sisters in West Texas, working as a waitress in small town cafes inthe oil field. There she met and marriedForest William Reece June 18, 1939. Theyhad Forest William Reece, Jr, Ronald Edward Reece and Angela Kay Reece-Wilson.

Thelma loved music and was in a girl’s singing groupwhile in the orphanage. She also learnedto embroider and decorated some beautiful pillowcases and tablecloths.

She learned a lot of cooking skills from hermother-in-law and enjoyed trying out new recipes. I enjoyed working with her in the kitchenwhen we were making some ordinary family meals and when we put on a big spreadfor Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Most of all she loved her family and was so proud ofher children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments.

Thelma was also proud of me and my craftingskills. She bought fabric and asked meto sew clothing and comforters. Sheappreciated butterflies and when I sewed a lapghan using a fabric withbutterflies it became a daily-use object.

She loved both her family of brother and sisters andher extended Reece family. She washappiest when she was giving and doing for others. She had many friends in the oil field campswhere they lived and in Andrews where she lived from 1966 to 2001.

There was so much more to Thelma than wife andmother. I am so glad to have known herand had her in my life for so many years.

Colorado Yarn Shop Tour

2011-09-01T12:10:00.000-05:00

Some of our favorite sightseeing can be done in local yarn shops so our shopping visits in CO were not unusual. We had to window shop the two stores in Pueblo since they were closed on the day we were there.

We went to three shops in the Denver area and were impressed with all three's layout, displays and quantities of yarn. I did my souvenier yarn buying in these stores.

Ever since reading many of the Maggie Sefton I have dreamed of visiting Lambspun in Fort Collins. My dream came true. Although the setting is a tiny bit different from the books (there is a big apartment complex across from the shop and golf course) there was the old farmhouse converted into the shop and Backporch Cafe on a tree shaded corner.

There were room-after-room of yarn displayed, some in little nooks and crannies. In the front of the house was a big room like a glass-fronted porch with a big table for classes & meetings. I was totally charmed when I spotted in one corner a man was spinning! How like the books is that? Turns out he was just learning to spin and visited with us about RV life.

We were told that Meggie Sefton dropped in to knit and sign books when she was in town! Sounded like she made regular visits.

Lambspun from the parking lot

Front door of Lambspun

Entryway is a feast of color & texture

Ron was impressed with the silky softness of this tube scarf within a tube scarf

Tapetes de Lana Weaving Center

2011-08-12T20:38:00.000-05:00

This afternoon we visited this non-profit weaving and spinning center in Mora, NM. We had a beautiful drive there from Las Vegas, NM. Traveled along the bases of the mountains and edge of the Santa Fe National Forest. There has been just enough rain that there was light green grass and the dark green of the pines and cedars glowed like jewels. The weaving center has a large spinning mill that was not in use today, wish I could have seen it in operation. There was only one loom actually being used. It had a beautifully textured fabric that my little camera could not photograph. Alpaca yarn that was soft and fine to touch.

Lots of weaving and knitting yarn in various weights and colors were for sale although worsted weight was the most prevalent. Products woven on the looms at the center were also for sale, along with other weaving from local artisans. Even had some locally made pottery for sale. No items followed me home but I sure petted lots of yarn.

Socks Finally

2011-07-27T15:46:00.000-05:00

While sitting outside enjoying the cool mountain air this morning, I finished the ribbing and bindoff on the purplish socks. To recap: these are the Pacific Coast Toe-Up Socks knit with custom dyed Trekking yarn on size 1 needles. I knit them two-at-a-time Magic Loop style, knitting both socks on one long needle.

I didn't want to experience the typical toe-up problem with the bind off so tight you can't get them on your foot so I used the Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bindoff . It is a bit fiddly but it sure does work. I'll use it again.

Another Finished Object!

2011-07-23T10:26:00.000-05:00

Had this one ready to show yesterday but the lightning and thunder had me shutting off the computer. Got some rain, though, so it was worth it. Lots cooler now, too.

I had some light lilac linen yarn in the stash that seemed perfect for hot-weather summer knitting. Diagonal Lace Linen Scarf was the perfect match for the yarn. Very easy pattern with just enough stitch involvement to hold my interest.

A couple of years ago I had knit a skinny scarf with a dark lilac shade of this yarn. When I washed the light one to block it, I also washed the dark one to freshen it up. They were laid out together on some rust-colored towels. Makes an interesting color combo! LOL

Ready for Christmas!

2011-07-21T14:31:00.000-05:00

Well, sorta. I knit a tree to decorate for Christmas. Before you worry about me slaving away knitting a tree, it is only 5 inches tall.

The pattern was Little Christmas Tree and was a fast and easy knit. Only problem, I hate to sew knitting seams so if I make it again, I will knit the tree and base in the round, leaving open just the bottom of the tree for stuffing it.

Now, I will hunt up little ornaments like buttons, sequins, ribbons and bells to decorate it. Plenty of time for that before December.

Finally A FO!

2011-07-19T15:03:00.000-05:00

One of the many projects is off the needles, sewn up, ends woven in and can now be called a Finished Object. Yay! This is the Windmill Bag knit in cotton worsted weight yarn on size 8 needles. I cast on 24 stitches. When I look at the small size I wish I had cast on 30 to make a bigger-size tote.

Pineapple Upside-Down Yummy

2011-07-16T15:01:00.000-05:00

In the cool this morning I made a quick and easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake in my old-faithful 9 inch cast iron skillet. The taste test after lunch said it was great as usual. Here is the recipe. I use pineapple chunks and omit the nuts & cherries. Today I used the high-altitude directions since we are located over 6,000 feet. By the way, I don't have a mixer in the RV with me so use a spoon and beat it the old-fashioned way.

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 can (8 oz) pineapple slices, drained, cut in half or pineapple chunks

2 tablespoons chopped pecans, if desired

Maraschino cherries, if desired

1 1/2 cups all-in-one baking mix like Pioneer, Bisquick or Jiffy

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup milk or water

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

In 9-inch round pan or 8-inch square pan, melt butter in oven. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over melted butter. Arrange pineapple slices in single layer over sugar mixture. Sprinkle with pecans. Place cherry in center of each pineapple slice (cherries with stems can be added after baking).

In large bowl, beat remaining ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed 4 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour batter over pineapple and cherries.

Bake 30 to 35 (21 – 25 convection) minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately place heatproof serving plate upside down over pan; turn plate and pan over. Leave pan over cake a few minutes so brown sugar mixture can drizzle over cake; remove pan. Cool at least 10 minutes before serving. Store loosely covered.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft):

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Use 1 1/3 cups baking mix and stir 1/3 cup all-purpose flour into mix. Increase milk or water to 2/3 cup. Bake 25 to 30 (convection 18-21) minutes.

Now for an update on my sock knitting. Turned the heel and knitting up the leg. Since I've been showing the instep (front) of the socks, this time thought I would show the heels and soles.

Dreaming

2011-07-05T15:57:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am dreaming of a short, petite body and wee size 6 feet. The never-ending blue sweater finally has a body off the needles. Didn't think I would ever get it long enough. Now, the sleeves are very slowly growing.

The latest socks are about 1/2" from starting the heel gussets. These size 10 feet are just too long. Oh well, I have a good understanding!

I can't just have 2 projects on the needles. Startitis hit and so I cast on the Diagonal Lace Scarf using linen yarn. It is rather stiff to knit with but is so soft after washing it. This photo shows the color the best.

I won't even begin to count the other unfinished projects hiding among the stash yarn.

Happy Birthday America

2011-07-04T11:17:00.001-05:00

The following was written by Dean Rippetoe of Midland, TX. He has given permission to share it. I agree with his sentiments of the condition of our nation in 2011. For our July 4th birthday, let us all commit to work to return to the values of our forefathers. Let us truly stand One Nation Under God.

NEIGHBOR - HOW STANDS THE UNION

Daniel Webster, born in Salisbury, New Hampshire in 1782 was a statesman, lawyer and orator and a strong advocate of American Nationalism. He became well know as a lawyer and a Federalist Party leader. He was elected in 1812 to the House of Representatives because of his opposition to the war of 1812. Webster was heavily involved in National politics serving in various positions with Presidents Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler and Millard Fillmore helping to organize the government and preserve the Union.
The story is told that every time there is a thunderstorm around Marshfield, Massachusetts, the place of Webster's grave, you can hear his rolling voice in the hollows of the sky. And they say if you go to his grave and speak loud and clear, " Dan'l Webster!!!", the ground will begin to shiver and the trees will begin to shake and you will hear a deep voice saying, " Neighbor, How stands the Union"?
If we listen closely, we can hear Mr. Webster's voice today as it rumbles through America. From the hills of Tennessee to the desert of Nevada, from the skyline of New York to the shores of Florida, from deep in the heart of Texas to the Mountains of Washington - we hear that freighting question - "Neighbor, How stands the Union"?
The Home is in shambles. Divorce rate exceeds 50%, Child abuse and spousal abuse is rampant, the absence of parental control over children and children more and more are disrespectful of their parents, teachers and authority.    Teenage pregnancy is higher than ever before. Same sex marriage is applauded, involvement in homosexual activity is accepted by many and gaining popularity daily. And Daniel Webster asks, "Neighbor, How stands the Union"?
Drug trafficking is increasing daily, poisoning both children and adults with drugs that destroy the mind, character and moral fiber of our nation. The drug lords and drug dealers thumb their nose at authorities and continue distributing illegal drugs with little resistance from authorities. Alcohol consumption is out of control. Persons arrested and convicted multiple times for driving while intoxicated are returned to the streets repeatedly without confinement or even driving restrictions. And Daniel Webster asks, "Neighbor, How stands the Union"?
Pornography is a multi-billion dollar business; lewd sexual activity is an accepted way of life. Promiscuity and infidelity are common. Sexual transmitted diseases are at an epidemic stage. Sexual immorality is displayed on every movie and television screen in America. Our young people are exposed to violent video games condoned by the Supreme Court. And Daniel Webster asks, "Neighbor, How stands the Union"?
Our public schools have deteriorated to the point of issuing diplomas from High School and College to students who cannot read, write, or do simple math. Athletics reign supreme over academics. Police patrol the halls of our educational institutions. Good teachers are discouraged by overwhelming requirements from governmental mandates. Our educational system is in shambles and Daniel Webster asks, "Neighbor, How stands the Union"?
Our Justice System was to establish truth and administer justice. Truth is not permitted in our court system because of the technicalities of the law. The criminal is protected, the innocent punished. Crime is higher than ever before and increasing daily. Our jails are full, violent criminals are returned to the general population to repeat their criminal activity. And Daniel Webster asks, "Neighbor, How stands the Union"?
Abortion, the willful killing of millions of babies, is not only condoned but supported by tax money. Child abuse is rampant. Parents are killing their children at an alarming rate. And Daniel Webster asks, "Neighbor, How stands the Union"?
Our political system and our politicians are an embarrassment to the masses. Its occupants performing disgusting illegal and immoral acts have degraded the White House. We fill the chairs of Congress and the Senate with politicians who perform criminal, lewd sexual acts and engage in immoral activities around the globe. We continue to have elected state and federal officials violate their oath of office and    perform acts unbecoming an elected official- and be returned to office by popular vote. The sloughful are subsidized, the producer is punished, and taxation is unbelievable. Our politicians, for fear of public retaliation, ignore major issues of public concern such as energy, immigration, the economy, jobs, health care, education and crime. And Daniel Webster asks, "Neighbor, How stands the Union"?
Our nation, The United States of America, was established on the belief in God, the laws of the land were based on the principals set forth in the Ten Commandments Our forefathers established a government of the people, for the people and by the people with the motto of, "In God We Trust". Our politicians were designated as "servants" for the people, not "managers" of the people.

These things we know. God created the Universe and all that is in it. He created man, He gave Canaan to the Israelites and they failed to uphold their end of the contract. He gave the USA to you and me. He gave us religious freedom so that we might honor and glorify His name. Today, we have the protection of free speech, but we cannot pray in public because some might be offended!! In some of our Military Cemeteries, the word God is not permitted. Biblical quotations are not permitted on government buildings. There are forces at work to remove all mention of God from radio and television. God is under attack in America and the Christian masses seem to stand idly by without offering resistance.

As we take a close and honest look at our country today, we, along with Daniel Webster must ask and respond to the question - "Neighbor, How stands the Union"?

I think Mr. Webster would be very disappointed in our answer…….

Socks Have Toes!

2011-06-18T15:20:00.000-05:00

Last year I won some custom-dyed Trekking sock yarn and have finally found what I feel is the right pattern for it. Here is the yarn.

A few days ago I cast on the Pacific Coast Toe-Up Socks by Wilma Becker. After a delay to have the designer answer a question, I am off & knitting on these socks.

Sorry for the bad photo. I rushed since the camera battery light was flashing.

Candid Camera

2011-06-17T09:01:00.000-05:00

Last Friday Ron and I met my sister, Cathy, and her daughter, Kim, in Alamogordo for lunch and visiting. Ron started the photo-taking by using his iPad to snap one to email to Mother. Pretty good picture for a photographer who is still learning which buttons to push.

Then, since Cathy was chilly in the restaurant, it was birthday present time. I didn't get out my camera and didn't realize that Kim had her trusty phone camera at hand and was snapping away.

I have been trying to think of a good caption for this photo. I was not thinking any negative thoughts or had any bad vibes from Cathy so have no idea of the "why" of my expression.
.

Kim's camera kept snapping.

Finally before we had our final hugs, Ron used our camera to snap one.

Oh, and Kim will soon be celebrating her birthday and she got a present, too. I didn't get a photo of her with her market bag but Kim snapped one when she got home.

Sewing, Part of My Past

2011-06-08T08:23:00.000-05:00

Sewing machines are part of some of my earliest memories. In Beaumont TX, I was 3-4 years old, sitting on the floor by Mother's sewing machine, playing with spools of thread while Mother sewed. We were listening to Arthur Godfrey on the radio. Mother made my play clothes, school clothes and church clothes until I was well-trained enough to sew for myself.

Mother's mother, Grandma Capron, had a sewing machine in the dining room of her house in Lincoln NE. It was a treadle machine that Grandpa had motorized long before I was born. I only remember a couple of times when we visited that she used the machine.

Dad's mother, Mom Jones, in Lufkin TX had a treadle machine that, from my earliest memories, sat on her big screened-in porch. I don't remember her sewing much when I was around but she did some mending and made some quilt tops. My first sewing experience was on that machine. I cut squares of fabric, sewed them together and put a long border strip around them for a doll blanket. I was probably 7 years old. That treadle machine is now tucked away in a corner of our storage in the workshop in Midland. One of these days I'll dig it out & see if it will still run.

My parents gave me a Singer Featherweight machine as my high school graduation gift. Even if it just did straight stitch, I was thrilled with it and used it for many years.

Fast forward many years to the early 70's. We lived in KS then and were coming to TX to visit. My mother-in-law had found a magazine article with a pattern for some cute kids cuddly comforters she wanted me to make. When we arrived in Andrews we bought the fabric and some butcher paper to make the pattern. All the magazine had was a gridded box with the pattern pieces drawn on it. I made big grids on the butcher paper and drew off the actual pattern. Then I sewed the cute comforters up. My MIL did all the hand tufting with embroidery thread to make each comforter like the photos.

These are photos of ones I made many years later. The applique was zig-zag stitched on and tufting was done by machine. There is only a little hand embroidery on these later ones.

The butcher paper patterns were copied onto brown wrapping paper, then onto poster board and eventually onto foam core board. Don't remember how many of these blankets I've made but nieces & nephews along with some of their children have Elephant blankies or Lion blankies.

New Totes

2011-06-05T16:22:00.000-05:00

Just can't have enough knitting totes, so when I saw the ad for these cute bags with lots of room and pockets, I couldn't resist getting a couple. They came from Knitters Brewing Company and can be ordered here.

They are so roomy they really can hold a lot. The green one has my 2 at a time sock project and the blue has a full skein of Super Saver size.

I immediately knit up some Luggage Blossoms to decorate them. There has been a bunch of them knit since Beverly of the Lonestar State Knitters Group introduced them to us.

Also on the fast knit front, I knit a cable headband to try to control the growing mop of hair. The wind likes to blow it in my face no matter what I do. I don't really like to wear hairbands and don't like the way this one feels. Wore it all day yesterday just to try to get used to it. Still strong negative vibes. Think I'll find another use for the yarn.

Knitting and Sightseeing

2011-06-04T17:06:00.000-05:00

That is what I've been doing. Seems we've also been on the road around Texas a lot since I last blogged. We are now in Ruidoso Downs, NM and enjoying the cool temperatures. In fact, we ran the furnace at night a very few weeks ago.

Have you seen any flying pigs lately? I knit one for my daughter then actually saw a statue of one. Keep your eyes open, you just never know when you might run across some unusual animals.

A Little Knitting

2011-02-09T15:17:00.000-06:00

Not much knitting going on but some. We've had so much extremely cold weather that has riled up arthritis in my hands. Mainly thumbs ache that goes all the way to the wrist. I've had lots of suggestions for relief that I will be implementing when I can. Anyway, I've knit three hats, one was a UFO completed, for the Lone Star State Knitters Group chairty effort for children who lost a parent in the military. It is a year-long charity so I'll probably knit more later.

I also knit six rectangles for the Handmade Afghan Project for injured military. These are 6" x 9" rectangles that are crocheted into twin-size afghans. This is also an ongoing project. These were mainly garter stitch so I could use them for mindless knitting and get them done in a hurry.

Need to get back to work on the blue top-down sweater. So close to finishing but it keeps returning to time out for being a boring knit!

Hair We Grow Again

2011-01-12T14:29:00.000-06:00

Hair, short, long or in between, seems to be something that has to be tended constantly in order to feel our best. I started out with beautiful blonde curls then kept it cut at some length of "short". Does that make sense? Whether it is barely long enough to cover the head or almost shoulder length, it usually is called short.

See what I mean about curls? For the last 6 years I've kept my hair cropped short in what I call "wash and wear" style. Wash, towel dry or barely blow dry and be ready to head out for new adventures. I'm tired of the look but don't like to mess with styling it. Here is a current photo with hair grown out from the last haircut in early August 2010.

It is so nothing...no bounce with little curl or wave. I sort of feel like a wig crawled up there and died! Now here is my dilemma, do I cut it again, let it grow a while and just deal with it or get a permanent and hope for the best? While you are thinking that over, here are some photos taken over the years. Please ignore the goofy expressions!

Relationships

2011-01-06T15:06:00.000-06:00

Since I am an avid geneology researcher, I have learned all about family relationships such as third cousin twice removed. Just find the common ancestor and count generations. What I am thinking about is relationships with friends. There is only one of my close high school friends I keep in touch with. We haven't seen each other in years but keep in contact with emails and Facebook. We have memories in common, saw each other's babies and knew each other's parents. That is one type of relationship with friends.

Another long-time relationship was formed as adults, we babysat each other's kids, went places together and generally stayed very close for many years. Only now we live half a continent apart, seldom see each other and don't really know the other's kids as adults. Does that lessen the relationship? Not really. Does that mean that their kids aren't my friends or ours aren't theirs? NO.

Another relationship I have is with my daughter's friends. I've met many of them over the years and two in particular I keep up with, mainly through my daughter. I think of them as my friends, too. Guess I "adopt" young friends.

Enough heavy thinking, one relationship is a relative who I am super proud of. This is a proud-aunt brag. You would never believe that my niece is a blood relative. She is coordinated and can dance! See, I told you that it was unbelievable since I am not in any way coordinated and have no sense of rhythm. My niece is a PE teacher in a grammer school and spends a few weeks each year teaching ballroom dance. Not only that, she teaches the kids heart health and helps them with a Jump Rope for Heart Assn fundraiser each year. They raise thousands and have lots of fun doing it. I knit her a pair of texting mitts aka fingerless mitts for Christmas this year.

Sunshiny Tuesday

2011-01-04T11:07:00.000-06:00

It is 51 degrees and the sunshine is calling to get us outdoors. No knitting for a while, going exploring.

Want to share some photos of an early Christmas present from Mother, a great doublepoint needle roll for a set of 5" bamboo needles I ordered from an Ebay seller. Each pocket is sized for a particular size set of 5 needles and the cover snaps in place. Super handy and keeps me better organized.

Mother also made a hanging holder for circular needles but the photo didn't turn out well. I'll try to get a new photo.

2011 Already!

2011-01-03T13:26:00.000-06:00

I resolve, resolve, resolve to be a more regular blogger in this fresh, brand-spankin' new year. From the time I was a child I wanted to write books. As an adult, I have a better perspective on book writing, it is WORK! Just writting a blog is a commitment of time & effort. Guess I have hang over issues from writing those school English essays that had to be written, proofed, corrected, amended and then submitted for grading. I know in my innermost being that a blog post does not have to be perfect, but then what if I don't have anything interesting to say or show?

We are settled in the heart of the Texas Alps country. Alpine, TX is one of our favorite places and we intend to spend the winter here. I plan to get lots of knitting done and maybe get a pattern or two finished and posted. Please don't hold your breath!

Happy New Year! May 2011 be the best year ever for you.

Flit'n Float Scarf

2010-10-03T08:48:00.000-05:00

Knitting seems to have taken high priority over blogging. I can knit while enjoying the great outdoor weather here in northern New Mexico. The bugs have mostly gone for the season so we took down the screen room. Sure adds dimension to our "outdoor living room" and gives me so much pleasure to sit outside to knit when the chores are done.

Without further ado, I will show the project just off the needles: King Arthur Flit 'n Float Scarf. I used one ball (400m) of the Juno's alpaca yarn won last spring. The pattern is one I had loved and wanted to knit since I first saw it, Flit'n Float Scarf by Birdy Evans published in Spring 2009 Knitty online magazine. This is a dream of a yarn and pattern to work with, although I had to tease my friend Birdy that she had not put in instructions to me specifically to put in a lifeline. When I dropped a stitch in the first chart, I did have to frog and start the chart over again. Lifelines were inserted regularly after that.

The project when from this:

To blocking:

To FINISHED!

Knit n Blather

2010-07-12T13:36:00.000-05:00

Haven't been online much but have been knitting, working, relaxing and exploring. Yep, that's my life.

My daughter sent me a super cute knitting robot sketch that she had commissioned. A man in Austin was creating the sketches as a fund raiser to travel to a bike ride. Hope he keeps up the good work. Here is mine:

Isn't he cute? Knitting his tail! Wish I had an extra set of arms/legs to help in my knitting. Here is the link to more of his bots. Robots

Now for what I am knitting: socks from S.R. Kertzer On Your Toes Bamboo. The pattern is Double Eyelet Rib by Wendy D Johnson. I am loving this yarn even if it is a little splitty. It is so soft and feels so good on my hands that I am really wanting to feel it on my feet. The pattern is appropriately summery and works well with this yarn. Got one sock knit to above ankle, I'm knitting on the foot of the other. When I get to the same length, then I'll finish them together so I will use up all the yarn.

Also knitting on the Daily Sweater from Mason Dixon's "Knitting Outside the Lines" but not showing any photos yet. And.....knit up a couple of bigger needle projects like a Lion Brand homespun scarf and one of my bottle cozies.

King Arthur and Knitting

2010-05-26T14:06:00.001-05:00

Are you wondering just what is going on with the combination of a king and knitting? It all started with a blog contest at Brighton Wool Gatherings at That'll Do Farm. They had a newborn cria, that's a baby alpaca, that needed a name. It thought the little guy looked very regal and suggested the name "King Arthur". Andrea liked the name and I won some yarn. I selected the naturally white lace from Juneau of Promised Land Alpacas. I haven't decided just what project will be perfect for this yarn. For the time being I am enjoying petting it and looking at patterns. The needle with the yarn is a size US 1 that was handy.

On the knitting front, I have to show you just-plain-cute-as-a-button Max wearing the Chill Out Bib.

On the needles now is The Daily Sweater from "Mason Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines." I am usng the Tahki Valentine wool and cotton yarn that I got for $1 last fall. There are slubs in the very-splitty yarn but I think it will add to the sweatshirt casualness of the sweater. The photo just shows a shapeless blue blob.

Also on the needles is a toe-up sock made with On Your Toes Bamboo. It is a lovely tan, blue and cream varigated but the sun washed out the colors. Pattern is Double Eyelet Rib Socks by Wendy Johnson. I am knitting it using Magic Loop. Don't know why I had not tried that style of knitting before.

Thank You, Mother

2010-05-09T09:03:00.002-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to a wonderful woman who is most responsible for me being ME!

Thank you so much for the million and one things you have done for me over the years:

For loving my Daddy and demonstrating it in front of us kids so I learned how to show love.

For singing. You sang around the house, at church and at special events. You taught me a lifelong love of music of all types.

For reading books to me until I could read them myself. Even then I enjoyed listening to you read to little sister. You took us to the library and convinced the librarian that we all needed to check out more books than 2 little ones a week.

For all the clothes you sewed, especially when you had to mix and match patterns to get the look and fit I wanted. I remember shorts sets, skirts, shirts, dresses and prom dresses that were "just right" for the occasion.

For helping me learn to sew and embroider and enabling/encouraging me to learn to knit.

For the special birthday cakes and wonderful meals you prepared. You taught me how to cook and enjoy the creations.

For being my friend.

I could go on and on but hope these few things show how much I love and appreciate you.

For Mother's Day I knit a couple of small tote/market bags for Mother.

I am not forgetting my "other" mother, my dear mother-in-law. She will be 95 years old next month and is no longer able to read or comprehend much of what is happening. She is very dear to me and has treated me as a daughter from the day I married her younger son. We have become such good friends and shared interests and laughs.

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers.

Knitting Small Stuff

2010-05-04T12:44:00.001-05:00

The last couple of months I have knit several smaller items. Two of them were test knitting for Alli at Knitwits Alley. These cloths are honoring Ellen DeGeneres.

My dear friend Sara had major surgery so I wanted to send her a little something to help with the recovery. Pocketbook Slippers seemed to fit the occasion. They are also one of Alli's patterns. Pocketbook Slippers I made up the bows to add extra pizzazz then stuffed a towel to model for the photo shoot.

Another fun project was a bib for 4 month old Max. Since his grandpa likes penguins so well, I used the Chill Out! pattern from Down Cloverlaine Can't wait to see photos of Max wearing it.

Guinea Pigs & Other Stuff

2010-04-27T20:35:00.017-05:00

I had promised my daughter a knit guinea pig two years ago and kept putting it off. The yarn and small needles were difficult to work with so I would tire of it, put it away and something would happen to it. The last time, it fell off the needles and was impossible to pick up the stitches. The yarn did survive multiple rip-outs and I eeked out enough to finish. She got it as an early birthday present, took it to work and had lots of raves from co-workers. Phew, relief on my part since I have never had a close personal relationship with a guinea pig so wasn't sure if it looked right.

I showed what I had received in our Campground Crafters Spring Swap but had not shown what I sent my swap pal. I knit and felted a Booga Bag and knit 2 dishcloths. Then I put in some little bags, handy clips, a measuring tape and a pen. My swap pal seemed happy with it.

Memories of John Hammett 1922 - 2010

2010-04-22T14:09:00.001-05:00

We met John and Joyce as friends of my parents more than 40 years ago. They shared many things in common with my parents, not the least of which was John's wonderfully sharp sense of humor and their love of travel in RV's. As Ron and I grew older we were able to spend more time with the Hammetts and they became our friends, too.

In early spring 2009, John was diagnosed with an incurable cancer. He chose to fight it for as long as he could in order to spend more time with family and friends. He had treatments at the Allison Cancer Center in Midland, TX. He got very cold during those treatments so I was happy to knit him a couple of hats. The first was a quick knit beanie. It didn't cover his ears and neck enough to keep him warm. John's favorite style of caps was an English Driving Cap so I knit one for him that could cover his ears and neck and also had a bill that shaded his eyes from the glare of lights in the treatment room.

When I saw John on Christmas Eve I woke him from a nap, we spoke for a few minutes then he continued his nap. I visited with Joyce about the caps. She said that people at the treatment center wanted to know where he got the caps because they wanted one, too. I vowed to myself to knit some caps for men to give to the center for use by many men. I knit 5 caps, 2 beanies and 3 with small bills. I also knit 2 earwarmers that fit over baseball caps. Something for everyone.

The hats and earwarmers were cheerfully modeled by a puppy friend before they went to the Allison Cancer Center where they were happily received and put to use.

Spring Swap Friends

2010-03-02T10:15:00.001-06:00

Our Campground Crafters Yahoo Group elected to skip the Secret Santa swap this year and go for an after-Christmas gift exchange, a Spring Swap. The goal is to have at least something hand crafted and total costs before shipping of $15 or less. We all put on thinking caps and looked for items that would appeal to our secret swap partner.

In mid-February I received a cute pair of Puppy Paw Socks and a great 2010 calendar Mouse Pad.

The end of February I got another package. When I opened the shipping box there was a beautiful mini-hat box with butterflies on it.

Opening the lid of the butterfly box gave me more butterflies on a card. Toni's note said that "There's nothing that says "Spring" more here in Sonoma County than these little guys running & jumping around in the fields." Intriguing. I unwrapped the tissue under the note & was totally blown away by the embroidered and beaded lamb wall hanging. The lamb has white beads and the flower border has white, pink and dark beads. There is even a bow-shaped button for the lamb's neck. Totally awesome!

Under that gift was another pair of sock as mates to the puppy paws, dog bones featured and some dog bones and puppy paw print ribbon. So cute and I'll have a blast wearing the sock. There is just no telling what my inspiration will be but you can be assured that the ribbon is going to show up on something fun.

There was one thing more, a To Do list pad with a calendar so I can stay organized. I already know that Toni is a mind reader & knows how much I enjoy puppies (can't have one - allergies) and lambs. Now I know that she knows that these days I need more lists and To Do notes than ever before. What a super friend!

Let's Go Shopping

2010-02-18T20:15:00.000-06:00

Since the weather has been very much against me getting photos uploaded I've just ignored posting to this blog. Shame on me! Surely I can visit with you without showing any pictures. So...I've decided to occasionally feature a website with neat stuff for sale.

Today's website is GrandGCraftingRVers . This crafting couple is retired, living in an RV and volunteering at an Oklahoma State Park. You'll find lovely fossil pendants. Malachite, turquois, shells, abalone, beads, buttons and other stones & objects made into jewelry. Then browse through the knitted and croched items like purses, dishcloths and decorated flipflops. There are even some machine-sewn items.

Please drop by to visit & shop a little. You will enjoy the trip.

Great Blog To Read

2010-01-27T09:33:00.000-06:00

I found a new-to-me blog to read and she just happens to be running a contest celebrating her first anniversary to blog. The blog is Chicken Stitches with beautiful stitch markers for sale & free patterns, too. The contest prizes are fabulous.

Resolve, Resolution, Determination

2009-12-28T12:34:00.001-06:00

It isn't January 1 yet but I am gearing up already. While at Mother's for Christmas, I grabbed the opportunity to visit our long-time family friends, Joyce & John. John has spent a little more than a year battling cancer and I had knit him a couple of caps to keep the chill at bay during treatments. Joyce said that his hats had caused quite a stir of interest in the Chemo Treatment rooms. It seems that no one else has hand knit caps to wear while there.

Hence, I am resolved to knit hats for the Midland Allison Cancer Center to be distributed to the men and boys who are patients.

There, I've put it in black and white. I am not stating a goal amount but I hope to do lots. I will challenge all knitters and crocheters to also knit for their local cancer centers.

Water Bottle Cozies

2009-06-30T11:53:00.004-05:00

Since we are staying in a very humid location, I was needing a cozy for my plastic water bottles to keep them from dripping condensation all over everything. After searching on the web for something I really liked & would fit the bottles I use, I decided that it was time to design one. The cozy I liked most was the Wine Bottle Cozy from taras-knits blogspot http://taras-knits.blogspot.com/2007/11/wine-bottle-cozy.html . I really like how the eyelets for a tie were put in and the decreases for the bottom were worked out. Tara generously gave permission to use her basics for these and off I went with some variations of patterns. I will post the basics and one variation for now and add more later as I have time to knit them up and post.

Water Bottle Cozies

Based on Wine Bottle Cozy by taras-knits

Supplies
US 8 double point needles
Worsted weight yarn – I find dishcloth cottons don’t have spring-back to hold the bottle shape and all acrylic doesn’t seem to absorb as much. I used Lion Brand Cotton-ease for the sample cozies. Wool would also be good.
Stitch Marker
Yarn Needle
Crochet Hook

Gauge
5 ½ stitches X 4 ¼ rows = 1”

Short cozy fits 16 oz water bottle. Tall cozy fits 23-24 oz water bottle.

Basic Directions
Cast on 36 stitches and divide onto 3 dpn’s. Place marker and join to work in the round.

Rows 1-3: K3, P3 ribbing around
Row 4: K3, *P1, yo, P2tog K1, yo, K2tog*, repeat between *’s around to last 6 stitches, K1, Yo, K2tog, P3

Short Cozy
Rows 5-36: K3, P3 ribbing around

Tall Cozy
Rows 5-42: K3, P3 ribbing around

Both Cozies
Purl 1 row
Knit 2 rows and begin decreases

Decrease rows
Row 1: *K2, K2tog *, repeat between *’s around
Row 2: Knit
Row 3:*K1, K2tog *, repeat between *’s around
Row 4 Knit
Row 5: *K2tog *, repeat between *’s around

Cut yarn and thread through stitches remaining on needles. Pull snug. Weave in ends.

Finishing
Using a crochet hook, make a chain 22 – 24 inches long. Cut yarn & weave in ends. Thread through eyelets in cozy and tie in a bow.

Diagonal Rib Cozies
Follow basic cozy instructions through Row 4.
Rows 5-7: K3, P3 ribbing around
Rows 8-10: K2, *P3, K3 *, repeat between *’s to last stitch, K1
Rows 11-13: K1, *P3, K3 *, repeat between *’s to last 2 stitches, K2
Rows 14-16: P3, K3 ribbing around
Rows 17-19: P2, *K3, P3 *, repeat between *’s to last stitch, P1
Rows 20-22: P1, *K3, P3 *, repeat between *’s to last 2 stitches, P2

Repeat these 18 rows for a total of 40 rows high for the short cozy and 46 rows high for the taller cozy.

Follow the basic directions for the purl row, K2 rows, decrease rows and tie.

I have not test knit after typing the instructions. Please let me know if there are any errors.

It's About Time

2009-06-15T08:14:00.009-05:00

I posted some pictures of my completed socks! They were completed more than a month ago but I never got life in the right alignment to get photos taken, good internet connection for upload and the mental oomph to write a blog post. How's that for a sob story?

The yarn is the one I won from Patt's Creations Madness blog contest http://pattscreationsmadness.blogspot.com/ It is KnitPicks Felici in Aquarium colorway, just perfect for cheery summer socks.

The pattern is Twists and Ribs Socks by Lisa Rosen which is a free Ravelry pattern. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/twists-and-ribs-socks

Now, if I'm lucky, I'll be able to get my act together to show some of the other knitting I've been doing.

Spring Hasn't Sprung

2009-04-06T14:16:00.004-05:00

I checked my pulse, yep, I am still alive. My friend, Becky, emailed to ask if I wasn't traveling anymore, wasn't knitting anymore or just not blogging. Answer: not blogging which is evident by the date of the last entry, don't go look at my travel blogs' last date. We traveled around in Southeast Texas to see the delicate dogwood blossoms and wisteria blooms among the dark pine trees, the beautiful azaleas in yards along the streets and highways and the bluebonnets in fields everywhere. Then we meandered north to lakes in Northeast Texas to enjoy more of the same blooms.

All this time I was continuing to knit at times on socks, a bag and some gift projects. I was having too much fun seeing the sights to knit a lot.

While in SE TX I met with an online friend, Wendy, from Lone Star State Knitters. Now she isn't just an online friend! She and her husband met us at a restaurant where we enjoyed long conversations getting to know each other. Wendy surprised me with a gift of lovely stitch markers she made. They are so cute.

There are two teapots, a cup and saucer and a teabag. They make me smile and add so much to my knitting fun.

We are now near Branson MO where we'll be workcamping for almost 6 months. If I don't get around to blogging, give me a shout.

A Riddle For You

2009-02-25T10:09:00.002-06:00

What do these yarn have in common?
9 skeins of KnitPicks Shine Sport, color Sand
4 skeins of King Cole Luxury Mohair, color Barcellona
1 skein of Euroflax Wet Spun Linen, color Lilac
1 smaller skein of Euroflax Wet Spun Linen, color Violet

These are the yarns I won in the destashing contest on BJ's blog http://killearnan.blogspot.com/ . Sorry, no pictures yet. Now comes the big question of which of the patterns I've been wanting to knit will be the perfect match for each of the yarns? Ah, the fun of agonizing over this! LOL

We have relocated further east in Texas and we just happen to be near some very nice local yarn shops. I will be visiting for some yarn petting & checking out the needles. Reports to follow.

Cables and Twists

2009-02-22T15:41:00.004-06:00

Subtitle: Convolutions of a twisted mind. I really, really like cable knitting, twisted stitch knitting, plot twists, vortices, swirls, undulations and cinnamon twists. Therefore, I knit cables and twisted stitches often, such as in the socks that are in progress. I finished the sock I showed in progress in my last blog post several weeks ago, and cast on the second sock. This is a nice ribbed sock with a cable on each side of the leg.In the meantime, I received the KnitPicks Felici yarn I had won from Patt's blog contest. The Aquarium color leans a little more toward the lime greens & bright yellows than my monitor showed but it is fun, light and summery so I don't mind at all. I am using a simple rib & twist pattern so the stripes will be shown at their finest. This yarn is super soft and feels wonderful. The catch is that it can be a little splitty. Thanks, Patt, hopefully I can get a better photo soon.

Knitting Bag & Blogs to Read

2009-02-03T11:41:00.005-06:00

I have a super-duper new sock knitting bag, custom made by my mother! I am so happy with it. She had emailed last week that she was getting bored with the winter weather. I told her that if she was in the mood to sew I could use a lightweight bag about the size of a paper lunch sack. So, she went stash-diving in her beautiful fabrics and came up with a bag in a couple of hours or less. She mailed it with the latest batch of our mail. (She is our personal post master and handles our mail as another loving chore for us.) Here is the photo with my latest sock project where I am ready to knit the heel. The bag is the perfect size and weight for a carry-along bag.Another handy medium-size bag I found at the dollar store is made of water-resistant nylon with several zipper pockets and a little zipper bag inside. It holds lots of knitting tools and a small to medium project. I think they labeled it a sport bag. HAH, it just screamed knitting bag to me!

Now, about those blogs to read. I feel like I have friends out there whom I've never met but have visited with & knit with when I read their blogs. I've been lucky lately by reading some blogs & entering the contests. There are two blogs I read regularly that are having contests.

Aunt Kathy's Place is running a comment contest the whole month of February. She is keeping the prizes a mystery but I am positive that she will have a fantastic prize to two to share. Her blog is http://gimpykatk.blogspot.com/ . If you want to tell her you got to her blog through this one, she will give me extra credit.

I just won a sock yarn prize from Patt's Creations Madness so I won't be actually entering her contest. To enter, just leave a comment on her contest blog entry. She is giving a great-looking project bag as the prize. You'll find her blog at http://pattscreationsmadness.blogspot.com/2009/02/happy-february-month-of-love.html .

Show and Tell Monday

2009-02-02T14:20:00.006-06:00

I promised pix of the felted slipper boot project after my daughter had them in hand. I'll quote her, "They are almost perfectly adorable. So close you can *see* it. The heel on each is boxy under the heel and the toe on top is a little triangle-y. Everything else is spot on. The fit around the foot is awesome, around the calf is perfect, it snugs on and you feel like you have something substantial on. But it's like they didn't take into account that your heel curves." It was good to know that they fit but she spotted the problems I saw with them. I was not happy with the overall shaping at all. Anyway, here are some pictures of pre-felting, both alone and with one of my socks to fit my long narrow foot.

Now, the pix of the felted boots, one with my sock again and one where I am sort of wearing the slippers. My feet are longer and narrower than my daughter's so I didn't try to force the boots to fit. Oh, the pattern is a Drops design http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=86&d_id=15&lang=us . I used Lion Brand Wool.

One more project picture to share. I knit & felted a small sissor pocket to hold small sissors. My daughter works beautiful counted cross stitch so she will get a lot of use from a sissor pocket to keep them sharp and handy. The pattern came from my friend, Dawn. She came up with the pattern for the Lonestar State Knitters Group Design Contest last year. It was a fun knit.

Lightening Strikes Twice

2009-02-01T20:59:00.002-06:00

It has happened again. I got an email this evening that I had won another blog contest! This time the blog is BJ's Musings & Meanderings http://killearnan.blogspot.com/ . She has been stash-cleaning and offered a contest to distribute some of her yarn or other goodies. She drew a total of 8 names to recieve prizes. She promised to try to match our color preferences & avoid anything that we might be allergic to. The only allergic reaction I have around yarn is a severe case of cast-ons.

It just so happens that right now i am itching to start several new projects. UFO's? Get back in the dark & leave me alone, I want to play with something different.

I am making progress on the latest sock but it was a beautiful day in the south Texas sun & I went out to play. We visited the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge where we saw some beautiful and interesting trees, grasses and flowers but no wildlife. bummer

We are not watching the Super Bowl so I think I'll put on some music & knit a while now.

Sock Yarn In My Future!

2009-01-31T13:47:00.002-06:00

I enjoy following some blogs and just occasionally dropping in on some. Well, one of the blogs that I started following in January 09 is Patt's Creations Madness http://pattscreationsmadness.blogspot.com/ . I joined as a follower before I even read that she was having a blog contest. I got the message today that I had won her contest for signup as a follower. The random number generator picked my number and I am going to get some KnitPicks Felici sock yarn! http://www.knitpicks.com/Felici%20Self%20Striping%20Sock%20Yarn_YD5420165.html

The hard part was selecting a color. Wow, they are so beautiful. I finally decided on Aquarium since I have not knit any socks in the greens colorway. That will mean my "prize" socks are unique and extra special. Thank you, Patt.

Yes! Suna Knits!: Wednesday Wonders #4: Dawn O.

2009-01-28T17:21:00.001-06:00

A knitting friend of mine wrote about a mutual friend. They are both great knitters and really wonderful people. While you are on site, feel free to explore some of Suna's great projects.

Yes! Suna Knits!: Wednesday Wonders #4: Dawn O.

Slippers Felted!

2009-01-26T14:39:00.005-06:00

Late yesterday I sewed up the slipper boots & this morning I got them to the laundry. The water is very hot so that is a plus. I loaded them in the top-loading washer with a tiny bit of detergent, 2 bath sheets, a large denim bag, 2 large double-layer sheeting curtains I had made for the motorhome and a pair of rubber wedge-soled sandals. There is no way to control the water level in these commercial machines so I wanted there to be plenty of material to buffet and agitate to encourage felting. I thought the wash cycle was about 10-12 minutes & had my fingers crossed that it would be enough. No such luck, the wash cycle was 8-9 minutes & the slippers had just started to felt. I started another washer since I couldn't reset anything on the first one and loaded everything over into it while the first empty washer finished the cycles. I kept a close watch on the second washer & at about 4 minutes of agitation the proper sizing was achieved! The felted slippers went into the sink for a cold water rinse while the towels, etc finished the cycles.

I rolled the rinsed slippers in another bath sheet to squeeze & pat out some of the water, jumped into the Jeep and brought them to the motorhome. There, R and I stuffed them full of plastic bags and put rolled up washcoths & kitchen towels in the leg part to shape them while they dry. No pix yet but when they are dry I'll get them before mailing.

I do have a rather blurred photo I just snapped of the bag I am designing/knitting. I am using a varigated P&C cotton. My hands get tired & sore after a few rows so the knitting is going slowly. I made a few notes of stitch count and shaping ideas, found a stitch pattern in a book, grabbed my needles and took off. It is going well, if slowly.

About half the height of the bag is knit so maybe it won't be too much longer until FO time. Now, I am off to find something less stressful on my hands to knit. Ah, the fun of "What shall I cast on?"

Not Much Knitting Going On

2009-01-25T13:47:00.003-06:00

I have been such a slacker on the knitting side. When it is dark and gloomy or I don't want to be out in the sunshine, I am more in the mood to wander around the www looking at what other people have knit or read blogs. I have one of DD's slippers sewn up and one partially sewn. Guess I am dreading the felting in a commercial washer experience. Anyway, been dragging my feet terribly. Hate to have winter over before she gets them.

What I have been having fun doing is exploring the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. We love getting out and seeing what this area is like in the winter. I've written about it and linked to some photos if you want to share our experience. http://yarningdowntheroad.blogspot.com/2009/01/enjoying-rio-grande-valley.html

Is This Me?

2009-01-21T10:35:00.004-06:00

Several weeks ago I posted a card with my daughter's photo on it that had been edited to be in the style of painter Alphonse Mucha. She played around with a photo of me and sent several versions in the style of different artists and treatments. The ones in the style of Modigliani and a "masculine" version were scary. The Botticelli one and the "young" one I found funny. The best and kindest of the lot was another Mucha treatment.

If you have never seen me before, I am not sure you would recognize me from this photo. LOL

Reading Not Knitting

2009-01-16T13:37:00.002-06:00

I haven't been reading much for the past several months but I am in the mood for it now. Today I finished Maggie Sefton's "Needled to Death" that I started more than a month ago. I enjoy this mystery series and it makes me want to get the next book. This one was the 2nd book in the series so there are more to read. Many of the scenes take place in a real yarnshop, Lambspun of Colorado, in Fort Collins CO. I am looking forward to a personal visit to see this wonderful shop.

The book was copyrighted in 2005 so the fun furs and supersoft fuzzy yarns that were new then are a bit dated now. There is a sleeveless shell knitting pattern included that should be a quick knit.

If you haven't been reading any of the cozy knitting mysteries, this series, beginning with "Knit One, Kill Two", would be a good one to start with.

Tuesday Musings

2009-01-13T10:08:00.005-06:00

I am trying to be a better blogger and have been reading other blogs for inspiration. Wow, are there some good writers and photographers on the internet! Some make me smile and some make me think, some inspire and some make me feel like I've had a good visit with a friend. What more could you ask for to go with your coffee in the mornings?

One blog I came across that matches my interest in knitting and in reading is called Elevenses. For January she is having a contest to name your favorite character from literature. She has a bunch of great prizes, too. Check it out at: http://timeforelevenses.blogspot.com/2009/01/competition.html

Knitting calls but housework calls louder. Blah!

Beanstalk Preemie Hat Pattern

2009-01-12T14:30:00.003-06:00

As soon as I saw this stitch pattern I thought of one of my favorite fairy tales, Jack & the Beanstalk. I could just see the beanstalk steps that Jack climbed. This was knit using US 6 needles and some old Carrousel Remember yarn, the color is Winter Aqua. Another preemie or little newborn hat for the Lone Star From the Heart project.

Beanstalk Preemie Hat

Yarn: Sport weight baby yarn or lightweight worstedNeedles: US 4-6 double points Whatever feels right for the yarn-not too stiff a fabric
Size: 1-3 lbs (3-5 lbs, 6-8 lbs)

Bubble Stitch Pattern adapted for circular knitting from Gisela Klopper, Beautiful Knitting Patterns

Round 1: *K1, P2, Sl 1 p wise, K2, PSSO, P2 * Repeat * to * across round

Round 2: *K1, P2, K1, YO, K1, P2* Repeat * to * across round

Rounds 3 & 4: *K1, P2, K3, P2* Repeat * to * across round.

Cast on 48 (56, 64) stitchesDivide stitches on three needles. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker.
K1, P1 ribbing for .75” to 1”
Knit 1 round
Knit pattern until hat measures 3 1/2" (4", 4 1/2") from the cast on edge.

Knit 2 together for one round.
Knit around.
Knit 2 together for one round.
Knit around.
Knit 2 together for one round.
Knit.

Cut yarn 6" long and pull through remaining stitches. Pull tail to the inside and weave in all ends.

Copyright – Patricia J Reece January 12, 2009
You are welcome to use this pattern to knit hats for personal use, gifting or for sale. Please do not sell the pattern.

Yarn and a Pattern

2009-01-09T13:12:00.008-06:00

Do you remember those three sweaters I bought at the Ropa Usada? Well, I made yarn out of them! Disassembled, unraveled and rolled into balls of yarn. I still need to wind them into hanks, soak them in soapy water, rinse, hang to dry then roll into center-pull balls. With the winds blowing 20-40 mph that isn't going to happen any time soon! In the meantime the balls of yarn are living in my Secret Santa gift bags.

Just for fun I knit up an idea that had been bouncing around for another preemie/newborn hat. The stitch pattern reminded me of various tracks I saw in the sand of the beaches on South Padre Island. So, I named the hat Tracks. The model was knit with Caron Simply Soft light coral using US 6 needles. My photography model is stuffing the hat with a plastic bag and setting it on a drinking glass. LOL At least you can see the stitch.

Tracks Baby Hat
Yarn: Sport weight baby yarn or lightweight worstedNeedles: US 4-6 double points Whatever feels right for the yarn-not too stiff a fabric
Size: 1-3 lbs (3-5 lbs, 6-8 lbs)
Stitch pattern from “The Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns”
Mock Braids adapted for knitting in the round
Rows 1 and 3: slip 1, K 1, yarn-over, pass the slip st over both K st and yarn-over; repeat from * to * to end of round
Rows 2, 4, 5 and 6: Knit
Repeat rows 1 – 6 for pattern

Cast on 48 (56, 64) stitchesDivide stitches on three needles. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker.

K 1, P 1 ribbing for .75" to 1"
Knit 1 to 3 rounds
Knit pattern until it measures 3 1/2" (4", 4 1/2") from the cast on edge.

Knit 2 together for one round.
Knit around.
Knit 2 together for one round.
Knit around.
Knit 2 together for one round.
Knit.

Cut yarn 6" long and pull through remaining stitches. Pull tail to the inside and weave in all ends.
Copyright – Patricia J Reece January 8, 2009
You are welcome to use this pattern to knit hats for personal use, gifting or for sale. Please do not sell the pattern.

Kntting Presents & Other Goodies

2009-01-03T14:57:00.010-06:00

My mother gave me a gift "to stir or spur" my creativity. She was checking out the Stitching Post and didn't know of any needles I needed or any yarn for a particular project so was just browsing. She spotted a selection of purse/bag handles that had WOW factor and picked out a set. She knows how much I like to knit bags. I do have a pattern for a cabled felted bag and some yarn that would be perfect with these handes but I am letting the whole idea gel. Something else may be the project that comes to mind.

My other knitting gift was the book Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines!!! Our daughter loves to give me knitting gifts and buy yarn for me so this was another example of her wonderful sense of the right gift.I've already selected at least 3 projects for my to-d0 list. And laughed insanely through some of the wonderful stories and comments. Love it!

That may have been all the knitting presents but not the last gifts. My daughter also shares my love of reading (as does my mother) and sent two other books that seem very enjoyable, especially the one that takes place in a small fictional town in West Texas. That one is by Dixie Cash's "Since You're Leaving Anyway, Take Out the Trash." The other is by Malinda M. Hall "Nowhere is Somewhere."

To cap off the whole package my daughter included a card. She has become quite the card-maker using photo editing, great fonts and other fun stuff on them. The only thing she hasn't quite mastered is the verse. While she is a great writer of prose, poetry is not her thing. The trick to the card is that it is a photo of her that I have never seen and treated to be in the style of Alponse Mucho. It is also blurred a bit. I will confess, I am a bad mother, I had to ask who the picture was. She used Mucho pictures on the back of the card and on the envelope lining. I saw a few elements that were her, but it wasn't a photo of my little red-haired darling! Here is the card front, back and envelope.

New Year, New Beginnings

2009-01-02T16:11:00.006-06:00

At least I would like to think that this is a new beginning - posting more often. I've been having so much fun in the warmer temps of far south Texas. Really nice to sit outside to knit and visit with people walking by. We had a nice Christmas and New Year's Eve with a little bit of partying here in the RV Park. Nothing too wild, mind you.

I posted photos of the Secret Santa gifts I received but have not yet shown what I sent my pal. I found a beautiful cabled bag pattern on Drops website http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=98&d_id=54&lang=us. Since I like to knit cables this was a perfect pattern. I added a couple of Christmas cloths I had test knit for a friend. The patterns are Sleigh Ride and Sleigh Ride Reindeer and can be found on Knitwits Alley site http://knitwitsalley.tripod.com/. A notebook (giftee is a prolific writer), some herb teas and a handy towel made up the rest of the gift.

Other Christmas knitting is a pair of Penguin Housesocks for my son. My friend, Elaine, from Down Cloverlaine blogspot wrote darling penguin bib and cloth patterns. She sent me the chart for the penguin cloth for me use on the socks. Ther cloth pattern is on her blog http://downcloverlaine.blogspot.com/2008/04/penguin-washcloth.html along with many other really cute bib & cloth patterns. Son specified short top socks and really soft. He checked my stash and requested Lion Brand Cotton Ease as the yarn.

Another Christmas project was a Wavy Feathers Wimple. I had some soft rosey mauve fingering weight yarn and I've been wanting to knit a wimple, smoke ring or cowl for a while so I thought I would knit is for my Mother. I wasn't really sure that she would like it or wear it but since she was spending Christmas at my sister's house, I guessed that if Mother didn't like it, my sis would. Sure 'nuf, it was passed on and sis is wearing it in the cold blasting winds of El Paso. I promised Mother I would knit her something else of her choice when she decided what she wanted. The wimple pattern is on this site http://www.carylldesigns.com/wavy_feathers_wimple.htm

Secret Santa Fun

2008-12-24T13:31:00.006-06:00

The Campground Crafters Yahoo Group had a Secret Santa Exchange this year for the first time. We knew there would be some tricks to sending & receiving mail for many who are and have been mobile. One member, Stephanie, agreed to organize the project and sent out names to participants in early October. The rules stated that we would mail at least one card before Christmas and mail a handcrafted gift for Christmas. It was also suggested that we set up an annonymous email account, if possible, to send messages to your recipient. My SS Pal sent me wonderful emails with upbeat messages that made me feel so good. I won't reveal her email name, she may want to use it again for someone else. Just let me say that it describes her to a T! On October 16th I received a big, fat envelope in the mail. This was way more than a card.

Lovely card, crocheted bookmarks and pin, beaded angel and tea. I received another big envelope from her later but forgot to take pictures. More goodies included in it.

The group decided to wait until Dec 24th to open our presents so when my package arrived with 2 wrapped gifts in it, I had a hard time waiting to open. When I opened at about noon, I found a treasure trove of croched and knit gifts. My family has a saying "useful gifts" and everyone of these is not only useful, but beautiful. There are crocheted and knit cloths, scrubbies for small spaces, potholders, a microwave potholder and 2 bags! Her enclosed note gave me more information about the gifts and shared some about herself. Included an invitation to go to Idaho to visit her and we just may take her up on that when the weather is warm. Thank you very much, Louise.

A Unique Shopping Experience!

2008-11-29T14:29:00.003-06:00

Black Friday malls and big box store shopping? Not for me! I headed for the ultimate bargain stores on the Texas border - the Ropa Usadas. These warehouses carry used clothing sales to the extreme by selling at 30-35 cents a pound any and all clothes. Coats sell at 75 cents a pound. The clothes were surprisingly clean and unsmelly but they were piled and jumbled in a mountain of clothes. Any and all sizes of clothes in all conditions, usually showing lots of wear.

Another shopper there said she dug out certain types of items and resold them on Ebay, others buy for their flea market shops. I had heard that you could discover designer labels and name brand clothes. I found a colorful sequined evening jacket in perfect condition, just 4 sizes too small for me! There was a little girl's skirt with store tags still on it.

I didn't find anything that I wanted to wear but began looking at it as a yarn, fabric and button shop. There were hundreds of pairs of jeans of all sizes and condition. If I were sewing denim patchwork it would be some of the cheapest fabric around.
My treasures were three sweaters.
One - Man's pullover-100% Shetland wool tweed in tans and gold, small hole in one cuff
Two - Red cardigan-52% Mohair, 48% acrylic, white mother of pearl buttons, no holes found
Three - Dark teal cardigan-70% Lambswool, 20 % Angora Rabbit hair, 10% Nylon, .5" buttons, small hole on back of one sleeve
Total cost - $1.40

It was such a fun experience that I want to do it again, maybe on a chilly day. It got very hot inside on the top of the pile. Pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/patjreece/2008_11_28RopaUsada##

One Last Word

2008-11-18T11:23:00.003-06:00

Here is the final post (I hope) on my famous knitting bag. The Craftstylish Gifts to Make Volume II came out with a page featuring the on-line Craftstylish.com site. It has photos of the four winning bags in the Tote-ally Crafty Bag Challenge. There are also some great gift patterns and ideas.

A Class Act

2008-10-04T20:24:00.003-05:00

Lately have you told someone how special they are? A family member? A friend? Someone you have never met? A few weeks ago someone I have never met, only corresponded with online, told me I was a class act. If only you could have seen the smile that brought to my face and the smiles the memory has generated since then. The subject was unrelated to knitting but when I am knitting seems to be a good time for that memory to come to the surface. When I read the words, my heart was lifted up on wings and it happens when I remember them.

One day I am going to meet that person and give her such a bear hug! Then we'll sit & knit and talk and enjoy being together.

The point being, you never know what little words can live in someone to encourage them and ease some pain. So, send a hug in an email, a comment on a blog or in person.

My Celebrity Knitting Bag

2008-09-29T19:42:00.002-05:00

I haven't been blogging because I've been kicking back enjoying life in some places we had not gone in a long time or have never been before. Along with that I've been knitting scarves for the Special Olympics and some test knitting for a designer friend. Now, about the bag....You remember the nice bag I had knit, the Knitting Needle Knitting Bag, that won those prizes? I got an email request that was completely unrelated to the contest & prizes. Here is what I got.

Sent at 8:03 AM September 2, 2008
Hi Pat, I’m a segment producer for Knitting Daily TV, a new 30-minute how-to television show on public television (PBS). During our second season of taping the week of Sept 15-18, we’re doing a segment called “You Made It” featuring versions of the Knitting Needle Knitting Bag made by people in the knitting community.
I noticed that you have recently completed the bag and I’d love to invite you to send us your version to appear on the show. This will be a fun segment – no criticism of knitting :-) – as we look at the different colors and yarns knitters used for the pattern, and any other interesting changes people made. I love that you changed the pattern.
Here’s a YouTube.com clip of this type of segment from Season 1, where Eunny Jang looks at different versions of the Modern Quilt Wrap:
Are you interested? I’d need to receive your bag no later than September 12. Interweave will pay all shipping expenses and once I know you can do it, I will reply with our FedEx shipping account number. And I will personally handle the return shipment immediately after our taping September 18. And of course, you’d get credit on the show. The host will mention your first name and city during the segment as we introduce your version. The show will air in our second season, beginning sometime in January 2009.Please let me know if you’re willing to participate. Thanks. Cheers, Jaime Guthals, Segment Producer, Knitting Daily TV

Of course I said yes! So, I shipped off my bag and had it returned today. I think now it has traveled more miles this year that I have. I do not yet know when the show it will be on will air but I am hoping their schedule will be online.

The Goodies!

2008-08-25T11:58:00.005-05:00

Friday, 8/15, we arrived at Mother's in mid-afternoon. After visiting a little bit, I wanted to start the piles of laundry we had accumulated. I raised the garage door to go out to the rv parked in the driveway and saw a Fedex truck parked across the end of the drive. I went dancing & skipping down the drive and met the drived as he started around his truck. I said, "It's for me! It's for me!" He made a production of reading the label. Then I snatched the box from his hands as he laughed and headed back to his truck. The laundry was forgotton as I dashed back in the house and ripped open the box. There was a note inside that said,

"Congratulations, Pat!
We are so happy to award you this prize and want to thank you for making our first challenge a success. We are looking forward to see what you will craft in the future!
The CraftStylish Team"
Now on to the goodies: Lantern Moon Ebony 10" needles size 6; Lantern Moon Destiny 26" circulars size 8; Lantern Moon silk needle case in Jade & Chocolate with 9 sleeves for straight needles, eight pockets for circulars and a zipper pocket for 'stuff''; 6 nifty-doodle Taunton Press crafting books and a magazine: $50 gift certificate from Fabric.com; Craftstylish.com canvas type fabric tote bag about 15"x15"x3.5" deep.

I Won!!!

2008-08-07T21:45:00.005-05:00

Last evening, Thurs 8/7, I received the following email:

You won the Craftstylish Tote Bag Challenge!!!
Hi Pat,
My name is Michaela Murphy and I am the managing editor of CraftStylish.com. Congratulations! I am thrilled to inform you that you won our Tote Bag Challenge in the Play Ball category! The competion was pretty intense so you should feel very proud. Your bag is fabulous and we are all so happy that you took the time and energy to participate in the challenge--you really helped to make it great! Please shoot me an email so that I'll know that you know:) There is an annoucement post scheduled to publish at 12:00am tonight, but I
wanted to let the winners know first. I also need for you to please send me your address so that we may ship your prizes to you. Thanks again and a very warm congratulations to you! I am looking forward to seeing more of your work via CraftStylish! Best Regards,
Michaela

This is a new crafting site for many different crafts and there were several catagories of the Tote Bag Challenge with four winners in all. The website is: http://www.craftstylish.com/ and sign up is free. You can explore & read without signing up.

I entered the handy knitting bag I had made earlier this year and lined it with drapery fabric sample fabric, sewing in pockets closed with hook and loop tape. I used some wooden dowel handles that had been in Mother's supply stash for many years. It was a fun knit and assembly and an extremely useful knitting bag. Holds a lot without being heavy. These are the photos I submitted for the competition.

The write-up had really nice things to say about the bag and I am so thrilled, words cannot express my feelings.

The Grand Prize Packages consist of a fabulous and official CraftStylish tote bag filled to the brim with crafty delights worth over $250 including:
$50 Gift Card from Fabric.com
Lantern Moon Jade/Chocolate Silk Needle Case
Lantern Moon Knitting needles - 1 pair size 6, 10" straight needles in ebony AND 1 pair Destiny circulars, size 8 26"length, in rich rosewood.
Rotary Cutter from Martelli Enterprises
Library of crafty books including:
The Prairie Girl's Guide to Life
When Bad Things Happen to Good Knitters
Get Your Crochet On! Hip Hats and Cool Caps
Sew Subversive
Bead Simple
I Heart Felt
CraftStylish Quick Stuff to Make

Curl Up With A Good Book

2008-08-04T11:49:00.004-05:00

I love to read, especially mysteries. Since I have been knitting more I haven't read as much or been as interested in involved, complicated plots. The easy to follow, entertaining "cosy" books are more my speed right now. I have been reading some of the knitting mysteries and enjoying them. The plots are just convuluted enough to be entertaining but they aren't dark and depressing.

There is a new book to be released tomorrow that sounds interesting. Here is the press release:

KC-area author launches knitting mystery series

Sally Goldenbaum of Prairie Village, who has written three Kansas-set Queen Bees quilting mysteries, has moved into knitting as a theme for her latest book.
"Death by Cashmere," which comes out Tuesday, is the first of the "Seaside Knitters" mystery series.
As the name implies, it has a coastal setting and a group of knitters who work to solve a murder. The book also includes a knitting pattern.

I've listed a few books on the sidebar. Let me know your favorite needlework novels.

A Little Eye Candy

2008-07-28T10:07:00.000-05:00

A friend in Abilene knit the Pretty As A Peacock Shawl this spring to wear to her grandparents wedding anniversary. She used Jojoland Harmony and beautiful beads. I think it is fantastic and was a delight to feel this beautiful cobweb lace. As a sidelight, this was her first lace project!

100 Years of Women's Fashions

2008-07-27T14:23:00.009-05:00

In Nov and Dec of 2007 The Ellen Noel Art Museum, Odessa TX presented a display of 100 Year of Women's Fashions with clothes and accessories from the collection of Steven Porterfield, owner of The Cat's Meow, an antique store in Midland TX. Steven is an excellent repair artist who maintains all the articles in supurb condition. The display was organized with several outfits from each decade beginning in the 1860's. There was one handknitted item that caught my eye, a child's sock was pinned to the hem of a girl's dress.

Photos of this exhibit can be seen here: http://picasaweb.google.com/patjreece/100YearsOfWomenSFashions

Steven has been asked to be an appraiser on a PBS Antiques Roadshow this summer. If the items he appraises are interesting enough his segment will show sometime in the fall.

After viewing the exhibit of old clothing, Mother and I pulled some of Grandmother's clothes out of the cedar chest. Two of her party dresses from the 1915-1930 times are shown below. Yes there are two tiny fox heads (fake) on the brown dress.

The real jewel of our keepsakes was Grandmother's wedding dress from Oct 1914.

Has It Been THAT Long?

2008-07-16T15:01:00.007-05:00

I truly didn't mean to ignore my blog, just had more commitments and involvements than I had intended. Here are a few finished objects that I have completed since blogging last. The Two Measures of Joy purse is finally out of my hand's and into Mother's.

I am waiting for cooler weather to give my wool and nylon socks a test walk. They fit well and feel comfortable.

The Kindness of a Stranger Sunhat is an easy knit out of Sugar'n Creme cotton worsted. I made it for protection at the Clyde City Picnic.

I have been steadily knitting kids hats with the acrylic yarn given to me and also knitting a couple of shopping bags with it. Think of the ecology; saving trees from being cut down and saving plastic and acrylic from the landfill. I do believe acrylic will be in landfills for the next million or so years.

Hats Off To My Friend

2008-06-22T15:27:00.006-05:00

A friend in Abilene gave me the above yarn. It is mostly acrylic, some is vintage, with many great colors. There are also some crocheted pieces that she didn't want any more. The yarn is in the process of being made into kids hats for charity. In Texas the winters are so mild that a wool hat is not usually necessary, just something to cover the head & ears from the wind is fine. The hats below are knit from the yarn stash.

The blue hat is Basic Cabled Cap pattern by Judy Gibson and the green with stripes is Bev's "Josh" Beanie Cap by Beverly A. Qualheim. Quick & easy knits.

Sock Progress

2008-05-29T11:57:00.004-05:00

I decided to enter the summer contest the Ravelry - For Me - group has. The challenge is to knit a pair of socks or leggings between May 1 and Aug 31. They request some photos of the progress with a newspaper showing the date during that time frame. Yesterday while I waited at the dentist for R to get his teeth cleaned I grabbed the Abilene newspaper and took a picture of the first sock progress. The yarn is 75% wool, 25 % nylon but with the small size of the object I am not suffering from knitting in the heat! I can't imagine knitting on any afghan right now. Or even on a large sweater.

Here I Go Again

2008-05-26T15:44:00.003-05:00

After frogging the unloved sock, I cast on a new one yesterday. I am calling it Mom's Birthday Socks since even though they are for me, I cast on the first one on Mother's birthday. I am using two circular needles and knitting them toe-up. There is a great on-line tutorial called Silver's Sock Class with step-by-step instructions and photos. The website is here: http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/2circsocks_start.htm

Once I am comfortable knitting on two circulars I think I will try the two-at-once version so I'll never have the dreaded Second Sock Syndrone. I like the 2-circs knitting but think that for hats I will probably stick with doublepoints.

To Sock or Not To Sock

2008-05-18T11:37:00.002-05:00

This sock looks sorta ok with the stripes & dots, you can see there is some sort of lace pattern to the leg & top of the foot. Then I put it on. Hubby took this picture that exagerates my long foot & toes, and shows the disappearing pattern of lace. Even up close, it is hard to see the lace.
So the final verdict is, off to the frog pond, rip-it, rip-it, rip-it. I am using it as a learning experience for this sock and plan to further my education with the next sock by knitting a toe-up on two circulars stockinette with plain ribbing sock.

On to other knitting, I am playing with different versions of my K1P1 Preemie hat. It is something to do while taking breaks and cooling off from laboring on our property.

Mother's Day Fun

2008-05-15T15:23:00.008-05:00

I had a great Mother's Day with a phone call the evening before from my daughter, a phone call early Sunday morning from my son, email cards from each of them and a visit with my mother. I gave Mother a package containing two knitted items. The first one was Bubbles the Fish dishcloth with a message of a little fish to help wash the dish. The pattern is found at http://http//knitalittlemore.blogspot.com/2008/03/introducing-bubbles_11.html

The second item was the Two Meausres of Joy bag which we then felted. It is an Elann.com pattern http://www.elann.com/ShowFreePattern.asp?Id=187024 . We made it smaller than a tote so it can be used as a purse. Now I have to embroider the notes of the first two measures of Ode to Joy on it.

Bag Lady in Progress

2008-05-01T20:53:00.004-05:00

I really like to knit bags. Even more fun is felting bags. But this time I have two new knit bags for myself in process. One is a Joann's pattern with the wonderful name "Knit Purse with Shoulder Straps". Wonder how long it took someone to come up with that name?

http://http//www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat13856&PRODID=xprd130235

I have knit one side of the bag using Black Wool-ease yarn. Overall I would rate it as a fast but boring knit. I intend to slightly change the assembly and maybe knit a flap to close the top. I do intend to make some black suedecloth straps, no vinyl for this purse. Of course I will put in lots of pockets in the lining.

The other bag I've started is called Percy. http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATTpercy.html

I am using all cotton Sinfonia from Hobby Lobby in a chocolatey brown color. It is tight knit on US 3 needles so it will take me a while to finish.

Knit Market Bag

2008-04-25T08:35:00.011-05:00

My poor neglected blog has been nagging me to post, yet somehow other things seem to get bumped up to more important status. In order to calm the blog nags I will share a design I created for a design contest last year. The design got 4th place so it made a decent showing.

Knit Market Bag
Inspired by a crocheted bag at http://www.modadea.com/patterns/LM0224.htm

Size – 13 ½” wide x 14” long

Moda Dea Ticker Tape Suede – 4 Skeins
Bag is knit with 2 strands held together throughout
Size 17 Needles
Pair (2) bamboo D handles – 6” wide
Size H or I crochet hook

Gauge is not important.

Mesh Stitch
Row 1: *K1, yo, rep from * to last st, K1
Row 2: K the knit sts, dropping yo’s

CO 27 stitches

Knit 8 rows (garter stitch)

Knit 10 repeats of Mesh Stitch Rows 1 & 2 (20 rows)

Knit 8 rows

Knit 10 repeats of Mesh Stitch Rows 1 & 2 (20 rows)

Knit 8 rows

Bind off

Fold CO end to BO end and sew side seams. I used 2 strands of yarn and laced it through like shoelaces. That keeps the more open mesh look and gives plenty of stretch & flexibility to the bag.

Center handle on one side top edge. Using 2 strands of yarn, wrap yarn around handle base & top row of stitches, using a crochet hook to pull through. Repeat for second side/handle.

Weave in ends.

Copyright April 2007 by Patricia J Reece. You are welcome to knit this pattern for personal use and for items to sell but please do not sell the pattern.

Blanket Squares

2008-03-28T10:03:00.006-05:00

Greetings from Quitman, TX. This is a cloudy, 65 deg morning with birds singing, waiting for the rains. Altogether a beautiful spring morning in East Texas.

I have been knitting dishcloth patterns as blanket squares for baby blankets. I use Bernat CottonTots yarn and knit the squares about 8.5 - 9" square. These are gifted to mothers, grandmothers and aunts of new babies for them to assemble into a blanket. It is a fun way to knit different patterns. These square all have a baby theme or a Texas theme.

These two are the Baby Feet Cloth & the Star Cloth from KnittingKnonsense.

http://www.knittingknonsense.com/index2.html

These are the Cowboy Boot Cloth & the Cowboy Hat Cloth from Vicki's Designs.

http://www.vickimeldrum.com/FreePatterns.html

Pillow WOW Factor

2008-03-27T12:33:00.002-05:00

Aren't these intarsia pillows gorgeous? Sweaterscapes has beautiful sweaters with all sorts of scenes on them. They offer the chart for the left one free and suggest that any of their sweater charts can be made into pillows. Since I like to knit pillows, this is going on my ever-expanding to-do list. Check out all the patterns at Sweaterscapes. http://www.sweaterscapes.com/pillow1.htm

Pat Myself On The Back!

2008-03-25T15:19:00.004-05:00

I have been imortalized!

First by listing my pattern for the K1P1 Preemie Hat on Ravelry, I am now listed as a "designer". Whoo hoo. I am all set up to list more patterns I have designed. Better get busy doing some of that designing.

Second, I submitted a tip to KnitNet's weekly e-newsletter "Tips, Tricks and Trade Secrets". It was published today. The tip is: "When lining a knit bag, especially a knitting bag used to take projects on the road, sew pockets into the lining and add a piece of hook-and-eye tape at the top of the pocket to hold the contents. Stitch markers, measuring tape and crochet hooks will be handy and not tangled in your project."

You can sign up for the free newsletter at: http://www.knitnet.com/

Fair Isle Preemie Hat

2008-03-24T17:22:00.005-05:00

Another fun knit was based on a design by my friend Jennifer. She is Charity Coordinator of Lone Star From the Heart. Since our group has been knitting for preemies, she has mailed more than 70 preemie hats and other preemie items to Stitches From the Heart organization to be distributed to hospital nurseries as they need them. This hat was knit from Caron Simply Soft yarn on size US 5 doublepoint needles. Jennifer's pattern can be found at

http://jensknitsandknonsense.blogspot.com/2008/02/free-fair-isle-preemie-hat-pattern.html

Preemie Knitting

2008-03-22T09:25:00.006-05:00

For the last few months I have been having fun knitting preemie hats for the Lone Star From the Heart charity project. I experimented with several yarns and decided that Caron Simply Soft is one of the best to use and it is easily available. The hats need to be washable and don't have to last forever since they are out grown quickly. I tried several patterns and played with adapting others but for a quick, easy no-thought one I used my own K1P1 hat pattern.

K1P1 Baby Hats

Yarn: Sport weight baby yarn or lightweight worsted

Needles: US 4-6 double points Whatever feels right for the yarn-not too stiff a fabric

Size: 1-3 lbs (3-5 lbs, 6-8 lbs)

Cast on 48 (56, 64) stitches

Divide stitches on three needles. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.

Knit 1, Purl 1 until hat measures 3 1/2" (4", 4 1/2") from the cast on edge.

Knit 2 together for one round.
Knit around.
Knit 2 together for one round.
Knit around.
Knit 2 together for one round.
Knit.

Cut yarn 6" long and pull through remaining stitches. Pull tail to the inside and weave in all ends.
Copyright – Patricia J Reece March 17, 2008 You are welcome to use this pattern for personal use, charity and for sale. It would be fun to see some of your creations using this pattern.

Intro To Me & My Blog

2008-03-21T13:17:00.002-05:00

I have a passion for knitting and talking about knitting so blogging should come naturally to me. Combine that with my love of traveling in our motorhome so I get to knit in many different places, meet other knitters all over the US and visit interesting yarn shops, it is a totally win-win situation. I have explored the internet and saved so many patterns that I could knit for the rest of my life without duplicating anything. The really hard thing is to decide just which one to knit next. I spent most of 2007 knitting family gifts for Christmas presents so I am dedicating 2008 to knitting anything I want, especially for ME.

This pillow cover is an adaptation of a knitting chart from http://www.vickimeldrum.com/FreePatterns.html . The back of the pillow is in two pieces to make removal for laundry easy.