Lessons in Weaving

Finished, but most likely more of a lesson than a scarf I would wear or even gift as I had initially planned. Made from merino wool and alpaca, this fingering weight yarn, once woven, tends to be an itchy, irritant of a scarf. Not a good thing to be when it should be soft and warm once wrapped around one's neck. I also had tension issues, but it's good to use up the stash while learning these lessons. The scarf will stay, maybe in view of my craft loft, so I can remember how, why, what, and when for future projects.

Apple not falling far from this tree!

One son, two daughters. Son draws and makes the neatest figures from foil...tiny little creations. Oldest daughter, sews, knits, crochets, scrapbooks, and such, not from patterns, she is a free form crafter. Youngest daughter, has had lessons on how to sew, knit, draws well and such.

To my happy heart I heard this tonight:

Youngest Daughter: "Can I knit?"
Me: "Sure, go grab your knitting bag."
Youngest Daughter: "Will you show me how to knit with my left hand?"
Me: "You mean continental."
Youngest Daughter: "Yeah, sure."

With the woodstove blazing away and the Knitting Workshop DVD with Elizabeth Zimmerman playing, we sat together on the sofa, knitting away. She knit for two hours. Continental.

Happy Chinese New Year

It is now the Year of the Ox. According to the Chinese Horoscope for 2009, Lil K will have a great year! Top notch. She is a Rooster. So, in celebration with just the two of us, fresh steamed clams with butter and garlic to dip in. I even pulled out the Rooster Dipping Bowls to use.

May your New Year keep you healthy, happy, a full tummy, and lots of knitting.

Weaving on a Saturday afternoon.

The Cricket arrived midweek. I put it together that evening. I didn't start weaving as I wanted to not have much in way of distractions. Last night I played with it a bit, not really accomplishing much.

This morning I did my homework so that I could work on my loom the rest of the day.

With my portable dvd player running "My Family" BBC series and the loom warped, I set off to weave myself a cotton/wool scarf. Not perfect by no means, but I enjoyed the process, love the results and I can honestly say I am extremely glad I purchased this great little fabric maker.
I have already warped for another scarf...a gift it will be of alpaca and merino. Using up the stash is wonderful. Not much color play at this time, though I have my weaving books to refer to, I just placed a dozen or so weaving books on hold at the local library for me to peruse.

Treasures in the Post Box

First came my KnitPicks order yesterday.
Today, no bills or junk mail...
Just my new Denise Organizer
and
the Cricket Loom.

Happy Dance!

Sir Maxamo

He doesn't look like much here and he stinks to high heaven, but he is Sir Maxamo, our almost 10 1/2 year old boxer. Tonight, as he was curled up in a tight ball on the Mister's chair (the Mister wants a new one, so he gives in to Max on this), he was asleep, shaking and quivering like he was cold. I grabbed his blankie, one that I had made shortly after he was born when I found out we were going to get him, to cover him up. That blankie has held out through camping trips, weekends at the property when we were building the log home, and now, through his old-age stinky self.

It is hard to say how much more time we will have with Max. His body is giving out on him though his mind is as sharp as ever. Thinking that he could be replaced is lost on us.

He has protected the kids, been the Mister's pal around the Friday night firepit with the neighbor boys, and my buddy, hanging out with me while I worked in the garden, and has never been a barker. He has been the silent and strong type.

Stinky or not, we love you Max!

The beauty of it all

It was even a prettier picture this morning at 7 a.m. just as dawn was breaking.
This shot taken at 7:45 a.m.
My favorite moon.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

She did say I could use bits and pieces of her blog!

Hurry...time is running out...operators are not standing by.

I present...

Project Stats:
Pattern: Thermis by Kristen Patay
Started: January 6, 2009
Completed: January 14, 2009
Yarn: Yarns Northwest -The Diana Collection Silk and Merino, 1.5 skeins, Color 12
Needle Size: US 6

On a winter's day...

It was blah-zay outside today. There was a bit of a break in the clouds this morning as I took Greta to get her nails clipped (yeah, I suck at it, so I pay someone else to keep her looking fab!)

I did manage to get my first assignment typed and submitted, along with my first assessment done. I had many cups of coffee to keep me going.

A bit of baking this afternoon. Fresh, warm, homemade scones with butter and homemade raspberry/strawberry jam, oh so good. Just finishing up the last batch of Oatmeal/Peanut Butter/Choc Chip/M&M cookies too.

Now to finish up Thermis. How can something so small take me so long? I am actually done for the year after this piece with winter scarves, hats, and cowls. I am ready for spring. The tomatoes that I planted seeds for last week are springing up, which gives me the feeling that spring is just around the bend. I need to stay ahead of the upcoming season, so time to start thinking of something good to knit.

Rain, Rain, Go A Way...

That is just five miles down the road/hill from me. Flat-bottom boat was used to get around parts of Orting to rescue those stranded. Orting was asked to evacuate the area. Though it is just minutes away, Orting is at about zero sea-level, where as I sit at a 600 foot elevation. Quite the difference.

Our duck pond is now a lake, the back of the property is now an ocean and the rain hasn't stopped yet.

What did we do to piss off Mother Nature?

In knitting news, I sat in my vehicle at lunch, as I usually do, to listen to NPR and knit on Thermis. The ping-ping of the rain on the roof was quite interesting, maybe I should have taken a nap.

Thermis and Croutons

Another little project started, Thermis in Yarns Northwest Silk and Merino. Ellen is just about finished with one, so I had to jump on that wagon.

What do you get with a large tv screen, Food Network and me....homemade croutons from a day old baguette, deep fried till golden brown, then sprinkled with onion powder and a garlic/cheese mix from Garlic Gourmey.

I love the Every Italian cooking show. I don't know if this was something she made, but hey, it was fun and tasty.

Porom Pictures..

Get your mind out of the gutter...I said P-O-R-O-M, not PORN!

A photo to prove it is done. Blocking over the bowl...not a good idea. Need to reblock the rib!

A big thank-you to Michelle for letting me have all this yarn-goodness. This yarn is on my to-buy-list. See project stats here.

Porom is done!

No final pictures of the finished beret as I have it blocking at the moment.
Will post a pic once I can get it modeled.

Project Stats:
Pattern: Porom by Jared Flood
Started: December 24, 2008
Completed: January 4, 2009
Yarn: O-Wool Balance, natural. 1.5 skeins
Needle size: US 7 - 16" circ and dpns

Ravelry project page.

The first Saturday of the year.....

held a great day. I met with the local knitters (we are pretty much a nameless group) for our bi-weekly meetup. Headed out with little K to do a bit of shopping. She scored a pair of boots and a pair of shoes. I found a few things at Target for the kitchen, perused microwaves, stopped at AT&T and Verizon, but left both without dropping a dime for a new cellphone for her, hit Fred Meyer's for a fresh bagel and spinach dip for a light dinner before then going to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
The movie was wonderful, even if we were both wedged between other people for over three hours. The movie was 2hr48min long. Did I drop a few tears, you betcha. Though I did have my knitting with me in my messanger bag, I did not pull it out as the mass of movie goers that appeared out of no where left me a bit dazed.

Check out the Librivox recording of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

"The curious Case of Benjamin Button, a 1921 short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, now a major motion picture, features Benjamin Button, who, born as an old man much to the dismay and chagrin of his father and family Doctor, ages backwards until he leaves this world as a newborn." (Summary by Mike Vendetti)

Tomorrow will be a day of getting ready to head back to work on Monday after a six day break, hopefully get the podcast done for the week, finish my Porom hat, work on my January socks, make Vietnamese eggrolls, and watch lots of chick-flicks. Sounds like a good Sunday to me!

Dear Mother Nature...

You didn't really believe me when I was begging for snow, did you? Should I remove the sign from the front yard that screams that message? At least you brought out the sun and beautiful clear, blue sky for a lovely day to knit by the fire.

Sincerely,
Sherrill

p.s. got spring?

1. View from the front porch, 2. Chickens 1-2-09, 3. Let it Snow, 4. Property 1-2-09, 5. Back property 1-2-09, 6. First egg of 2009

On the first day of 2009....

1. Jan 2009 CAL 6" Block 2, 2. Jan 2009 CAL 6" Block 1, 3. Jan 2009 CAL 12" block

I was busy...sitting in the great room, crocheting away.