News From The Nest

BRRRRR!

It's COLD!  It's about 10 degrees outside and 58 inside. Our furnace doesn't appear to be working!  Of course, it quits on a weekend.  Go figure!

Also, go figure that Virginia once again had a serious snowfall -- 6-8 inches at my parents' house in Danville. Figures I had to move out of the state for them to get good snows.  Here, in Ohio ----- only cold!

This morning, I headed to Panera's to knit with the girls. Fun! Got a few more rows of Multnomah done.  I'm almost finished unless I decide to enlarge it a repeat or so.  I haven't decided yet. On one hand, I would like it a little bigger but on the other, it's kind of weighty as is.  I'll show a picture soon.  It's this yarn -- I'm not sure the content is correct.  

After Panera's, I ran a few errands and stopped in at Wooly Bully. Then, I went to see Meg.  She wanted to learn how to use the drop spindle she purchased at A Wool Gathering in Yellow Springs, OH last September.  After a quick lesson, I can see a spinning wheel in her future!  

I think Meg is my sister from a different mother.  We seem to have a lot in common and share a huge love of color and all things fiber.  Meg is THE Meg behind Meggie Knits and does extraordinary felted pocketbooks.  She and her family live in a wonderful 1800's house only about seven miles from me.  Meg has four horses and also boards a fifth one  It was fun getting them into their stalls and feeding them before I left tonight.  I got lots of chuckles watching her two Jack Russells, Abby and Katie (pictured below), play.  Abby, the pup, thinks Katie is her chew toy --- that is, until Katie has had enough.  Dan, the kitty, also kept us company this afternoon.

But back to Meg ---- Her wonderful oasis of a studio is in back of her home. A cozy and inviting studio full of light and color.  I had a wonderful time looking / drooling.  There was COLOR everywhere!!!!!!  

Her felted bags are SO well made.  I just loved the shapes of her bags. Some were round, some rectangular, some angular, some poochy, etc.   Her felting is nice and firm, the bags are lined with great contrasting fabrics, and the handles are either felted, beaded, or made of leather.  And, don't get me started on the flowers for embellishment!!!!  Her table was like a felted flower garden with little felted flowers, leaves, and tendrils everywhere!

As I left, I fell in love with a black bag that she had placed a felted sunflower on.  I think a trade is in the works --- teach me how to make that bag, I'll teach Meg how to rug hook!!!!!!

You don't want to miss seeing more of Meg's felted purses so go pay her a visit here!  

Snowtime

It's snowing again!  We had a dusting late yesterday afternoon and it continued through the night.  If it wasn't snowing sideways, we'd probably have two feet by now!  I can still see grass so this has not turned into a serious snow ------ yet.  There's still hope as snow flurries are predicted everyday this week.

These guys perched on their bench at the top of the stairs look a little worried about the whole snowing sideways thing.  Don't know if you remember but I mentioned these snow guys in a post back in late November or early December.  Mom and Daddy bought them for me for my birthday when they were visiting for Thanksgiving.  They came from a shop in Waynesville.  I think this bench is the perfect place for them!  They look so cute at the top of the steps.   

The snow we had a couple of weeks ago was a serious snow.  We couldn't find our driveway and had to guess.  So, this time Andy made some eight little flags to mark the edge of the driveway.  Here is a sample and here we are posing as we walk back towards the house.  Andy is concentrating very hard on holding the camera.  I'm warm as toast in my Wrap Thingie (that pattern really needs a new name!).  

I think that balding head of Andy's needs a knitted hat!

After tinking (very painful) back to the garter stitch rows of Mulnomah, I worked on it last night.  I did the garter stitch rows until I reached 229 stitches again.  Then, I started on the Feather & Fan pattern stitch.  This time, with the pattern revision, it worked perfectly.  Actually, it wasn't a pattern revision - just a little tweaking the way in which the pattern was written.  Row 3 would be more easily understood if it was written as follows: *K2tog 3 times, (YO K1) 6 times, K2tog 3 times* Repeat from *. There's a lot to be said for parentheses.  Knitters who have done the Feather & Fan stitch before may not have any difficulty at all but it threw me for a loop!

House status - Andy hasn't quite finished painting the kitchen.  I can hardly wait to show you pictures of the finished project!

KNIT ON! and stay warm!!!!

Monday Mumblings

Saturday, I met the knitters at Panera and had to beg off when they left to go to Fiberworks in Beavercreek, OH.  I had to run home.

Why did I have to run - well actually, I drove - home???  to meet the fellow who was coming to install the kitchen window treatment.  

Took him all of about 3 minutes.  If that.

I can't believe how perfectly the fabric matches the paint colors in the kitchen and the sunroom.  They are an exact match.  I love the view where you can see the sunroom's Sierra Redwood, the kitchen's Relic Bronze, and the kitchen window all at the same time.  

Now, if I could only get rid of that heinous ultramarine blue counter-top!!  I think Andy is even not liking that counter-top now that everything is getting painted.  It just does NOT go with anything and sticks out like a very sore thumb.  I hope we can remedy it soon.  Just makes everything we've done look kind of funny - it's just so out of place.  

Here's a close-up of the fabric.  In real-life, the rust is more rust and not so pinkish and the gold leaves are more gold.  The lining is the EXACT shade of the paint with lighter gold and rust colored threads running through it.  

When I posted that I am knitting Multnomah, I had several of you email me to say that you are knitting it, also.  Well, am I the ONLY one who has had a HORRIBLE time with the directions??????  First, no where did it say DO NOT MOVE YOUR MARKERS after the first repeat.  Then, Row 3 --- well, I have rewritten Row 3 with parentheses, etc.  I tinked about 6 or 7 rows last night and will attempt to get this puppy back on track tonight.  Tinking this project wasn't easy as it involved over 200 stitches per row!  Thank goodness Timmie is a night owl like me and answers the phone up to midnight!!!!!  Her help kept me from resorting to some very destructive knitting behavior!

I'm approaching the end of skein two on my newest Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf.  I LOVE these colors!!! This one is Noro Silk Garden 241 G.  Seeing it here, maybe I could do without that ultramarine blue - reminds me of the much hated counter-top - but I do love the rest!  

This week, snow flurries are predicted every single day.  At present, it's snowing a little but it's going sideways so there might be some accumulation in the next county.  After last week's temperatures in the 40's and 50's, this weeks 20's and low 30's will let us know that winter isn't done with us yet.  That's fine with me!  I just wish the snow would quit going sideways!

KNIT ON! and thanks for reading!!!!

New Project

Here's the newest project on the needles. 

Multnomah.  

If you're on Ravelry, this is a free pattern.  Just click on the link above.

I had one skein of this fingering weight of 500+ yards and decided to give it a knit.  The yarn has my favorite colors in it.  It's supposed to be wool but feels like cotton.

I LOVE this pattern!  The shaping is so cool.  

I'm still early on in the pattern but am planning on making it one or two sizes larger than the basic pattern.  I'm also using a #4 needle where the basic pattern calls for a #3.  So, I'll see what I think re: making it bigger when the time comes.  I almost feel that I could use a #5 needle but not sure.  Might be too loose.

Seems that a lot of folks are knitting this now.  If you're knitting it, I'd love to see pictures!

* The yarn bowl in the above picture is by Jennie, The Potter. Jennie was at MD Sheep & Wool when I went in May 2009. She was also at Knitters Connection here in Ohio in June 2009. I LOVE her stuff and also have some of her cool mugs.  She's been a little busy lately producing a new addition to her family so check back on her web site for updates.

Head Topper

I finished the Sally Melville hat I told you about in the January 14th post.  I LOVED working with this yarn!!  So soft and the color is just beautiful. Jeweltones.  Teals and purples.  The pattern gives instructions for finishing the top of the hat with I-cord but I opted not to.  

I like this pattern but if I did it again, I would definitely make it longer.  Maybe even make it bigger around.  I think it's definitely a bit short. Maybe blocking it would help.

The yarn is so soft and yummy that the hat might need a scarf to go with it!  

Last night, I started another new project - Multnomah.  This link will take you to the free pattern on Ravelry.  I saw it on Jane's blog and just had to do it!  I got started right away and couldn't put it down.  I'll show you a picture when I get a little more of it knit up.

While you're on Jane's blog, check out her precious grandson in his snowman hat.  The hat is one of Jane's patterns and can be found here.  I think everyone needs a snowman hat!

I'm almost done with another Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf out of Noro Silk Garden and am getting ready to cast on for a slouch hat and a long scarf with KidSilk Haze.  Can't wait!!!!!!  

Moving On

Today was a day to clean up.  I dusted, cleaned bathrooms, vacuumed, washed clothes, and put away more Christmas stuff. I still need to do the upstairs but that won't take long.    

Andy got started painting the kitchen.  The color is Relic Bronze - Duration paint by Sherwin-Williams.  The window treatment is ready and we want to finish painting around the kitchen window so they can come install it.  The fellow is coming next Saturday so Andy should be well finished by then.

I don't know if you can tell much by this picture.  He's painted underneath the cabinets, around the window, and above the cabinets - just to the left of the window.  It's going to take three coats so we might need to get more paint.  I love the color!!!!  Would like it even more with a new counter-top --- one that isn't BLUE!

Today was a rainy dreary kind of day.  However, it ended with a bang!  Look at this sunset!  So pretty!  

Hope you have a speedy work-week!

A Little Cheese With My Whine

Let me just pour myself a glass of whine for this post.  

Today is the first day for KNITTIN' at the LAKE in Clarksville, Virginia - the knitting retreat I started in January 2007.  I'm not there.  Bummer!  I wanted to go.  I started to go. Then, I got a new work file with an appointment scheduled for 3:00 PM today. Next, I figured that I could probably do a room of window treatments for what it would cost me in gas to drive to and from Virginia and Ohio (about an 18 hour round trip drive) plus a hotel room and meals.    

So, I'm here in Ohio.  Wondering what they're all doing in Clarksville, VA.  Wondering what kind of pajamas Emmy and Pam are wearing this year (last year it was sheep and another year sock monkey). Wondering what goodies the Knitting Sisters brought to sell from their terrific shop in Williamsburg, VA.

Ahem, another slice of cheese with my whine!  

I left the retreat in the capable hands of Issy and Linda - two of the Richmond knitters.  I spoke with Linda Thursday night and a small group of them were already there, had set everything up in the conference room, and were sitting in the breakfast room knitting.  She said they were expecting 45 people - almost as many as last year.  She thought this number included many people who have attended before and a few new ones, too.  

Another slice, please.  And, while you're at it --- you can refill my glass.

Mom and Daddy will be at the retreat tomorrow.  Daddy is taking his beautiful baskets for sale during the vendor time.  (The pictures above are of the goodie bags Mom painted for the 2008 and 2009 retreats.)

All is not lost, though.  My appointment today was in Eaton, OH. As I was coming back through Germantown, just driving down the street minding my P's and Q's, I spotted a bunch of knitting needles in a window of a house.  WAIT!  There were balls of yarn stacked up, too!!!!!!!  I quickly threw on my right turn signal and swung the car around the corner.  I drove around the block and pulled into a parking place right in front of the building.  

Yes, I wasn't hallucinating.  Those were needles and yarn in that window.  I grabbed my pocketbook and camera and headed for the door.  

Ball and Skein.  Right there in Germantown, Ohio!

What a treasure tucked inside this corner building.  Lots of books, different yarns, beautiful roving.  Just YUM!  Susan, the owner, said they have a spinning group that meets once monthly and a group that meets and knits weekly.  Cookie A. recently taught a workshop there for the shop and AND A-N-D Anne Hanson will be teaching classes in February!!!!!!!!!!!!  OMG!  I LOVE Anne's patterns - all of them!  She is an Ohio native and will teach one 6-hour   class at Ball and Skein on February 13th and two 3-hour classes on the 14th.

You can check out Susan's blog, misknits, and / or visit the Ball and Skein group on Ravelry.

As an antidepressant, I purchased the following -- 2 skeins of worsted weight Classy in Deep Seaflower (#VM230) by Dream in Color to do I don't know what with - just loved the color!, four skeins of Noro Silk Garden to make a Noro Striped Scarf by Jared Flood (free pattern found here on brooklyntweed), and one skein of Buffalo Gold #12 "Lux" Laceweight in color Flat Lake DL2.  I don't have plans for the Buffalo Gold.  I think I'll just fondle it for a bit.  The yarn content -- ready for this?????  45% bison, 20% cashmere, 20% silk, and   15% tencel.  WOW!  I think this yarn has to grow up to be something around my neck!  What else do you do with a yarn made from these   delicious fibers?!!!  Just look at the colors of these yarns in that picture on the left.  Aren't they gorgeous!????!!

Okay, I'm feeling a little bit better now. 

I do have one thing that's going to be at the retreat.  A Knit Sack by Issy. Issy is one of the Richmond knitters and knits like the wind.  Well, turns out she also sews like the wind, too.  Look at my sack!  She's made up a bunch of these to sell at the retreat this  weekend.  I'm sure she won't be taking any home with her.  

I LOVE my Issy Sack!  LOVE the colors!!!! And, the fabric design.  It is the perfect size - not too small, not too big, it's JUST right!  It's so well-made and she even has her own little tag inside.  Super job, Issy!!!!  

Well, I hope they're all having a blast at KNITTIN' at the LAKE in Clarksville, VA this weekend.  I'm going downstairs to sit with my Issy Sack, surrounded by my new purchases, and KNIT!

I might even pour myself a glass of wine ----- without the H!

  

A Busy Day

Yesterday was a VERY busy day!  Seemed everyone plus his brother and sister had an appointment with the doctor.  I was able to attend four of my five scheduled appointments and had to have a coworker cover a 10:30 AM one for me due to the time conflict.  

I started my day in Cincinnati for a 9:20 AM appointment, then made my way north to Beavercreek for an 11:00 AM, then on to Troy for a 2:45 PM, and finally finished up in Celina at a 5:45 PM appointment. This view in Celina of Grand Lake St. Marys took the edge off of knowing I wouldn't make it home until at least 8:00 PM.  

Having a lay-over in Beavercreek is never a bad thing since that's where Fiberworks is located.  I grabbed lunch and headed to the store.  Arlene has a great selection of yarn, roving, books, supplies --- just everything!

Yesterday was also a very busy knitting day!  As soon as I got home last night - after a quick bowl of soup - I got to work.  I finished a hat and started a new hat.  I also started yet another Multi-directional Diagonal Scarf using Noro Silk Garden.  I was motivated!  I think it was all those knitting podcasts I listened to on the two-hour drive home.

The hat I finished is this one.  I used Ann Norling's Spiral Hat pattern.  (This pattern can be found at MANY sources - local yarn shops and online sites.)  I like this pattern - very easy, applicable to many different gauges and yarn types, very stretchy which gives it a great fit and makes it very comfortable. The yarn is Fusion and it is made in Italy.  The yarn content is 44% PC-Dralon, 36% Wool, and 20% Mohair. The yarn was a pleasure to knit - super soft and lofty. It is a single ply and I did have to be careful not to split the fiber.  

This hat is being mailed off today to my friend back in Virginia who is undergoing chemotherapy. Hopefully, it will warm her head and cheer her heart.     

I'm still knitting on my second Wrap Thingie. I'm thinking this pattern needs a new name. Again, I'm using Taos but this time in a beautiful blue colorway.  This has shots of orange, yellow, fuchsia, and olive green in it.  LOVE it!  

The hat I started is from Sally Melville's Book 2: The Purl Stitch.  The pattern can be found on pages 124 and 125.  It's featured on a man but makes a   great woman's hat, too.  I'm using a luscious yarn by Plymouth Yarns - Trabajos Del Peru in the 008 color.  I love the turquoise / teal / purple shades of this yarn and it feels wonderful!  

Last, but certainly not least, is my newest Multi-directional Diagonal Scarf.  I'm telling you what --- this pattern is my absolute favorite and if you haven't tried it, you really should.  Did I mention that it's FREE??! ! I always use Noro Silk Garden for this pattern and after knitting more than a half dozen of them have never been disappointed.  I get three skeins as I do go into the third one.  I plan to make one of these scarves out of all my leftover Silk Garden some day.  I want to just tie the leftover skeins together and, leaving the tails hanging, knit the scarf.   

For this scarf, I'm using Noro Silk Garden 241 G.  It's a mix of olive green, purple, fuchsia, and tan.  Part of my love of knitting this pattern is using the Noro Silk Garden and watching as the different colors present themselves.  

Stay tuned as I progress on all these new projects!  

KNIT ON!!!

A Good Day For The Birds

When I went to bed last night (actually this morning as it was after midnight), it was -4 degrees below zero.  This morning, when I looked out the kitchen window it was -5 degrees. Later, I caught it exactly on 0 degrees.  I don't think I've ever experienced 0 degrees.  Now, it's about 20 degrees.  

Earl Gray and Gracie are very content to stay in the garage.  They do venture out when I fill the bird feeders or sweep a path in the snow.  I caught Earl hiding behind one of the trashcans at the corner of the house yesterday peeping at the birds.  When I start walking back to the house, they run in front of me and climb up their tower.  They love that thing.  I'm glad I bought it for them.  The topmost level is just the right height for them to see out the garage door window.  

Speaking of birds, they have been plentiful today ..... again.  Free food -- need I say more?  

We had three starlings visit today.  I have never seen these birds before.  They look so grumpy.  Just plain PO'd at the world.  They also have a bad disposition to go with their expression.  Two of them sat up on the feeder pole and snapped their beaks at any   bird that flew close enough.  Even though they have bad attitudes, they are such beautiful birds.  Their feathers are simply amazing.  They remind me of those optic trees with the little tiny light at the end of each branch.  Kelly, of Red and the Peanut blog, just did a wonderful post on these feathered bad-asses.  Go take a look!

I usually take my pictures with my little Fuji FinePix F45 but today, I used my Fuji S5000.  The pictures are so much better.  I can get so much closer with the S5000.  I bought that camera back in 2005 when we went to Maine with Taylor to get him set up for his internship at the Cliff House Resort and Spa in Ogunquit. What a gorgeous place!  He worked his buns off and learned tons in that 3-month period.  And, I took beautiful pictures of Maine with my new camera during our visit with   our friends in Portland after dropping him off.  Anyway, I should use this camera more for my blog pictures.

Here are some bird shots I took today.

The cardinals look so pretty with their red against the white snowy background.

The red-bellied woodpecker LOVES his suet!  

The blue jay loves that suet bell.  This one is a little different from   the one I got before.  This one has whole almonds in it.  You can see him trying to dig them out.  They must be his favorite!

The little downy woodpecker loves the suet, too.  So small compared to the red-bellied.  Cute! 

I love to sit and watch the birds.  We have a line of trees that serves to mark the property line.  The birds perch in those trees and then zoom out and towards the feeders.  It's a curiosity to watch their roller coaster-like flight to the feeders.  They fly up and down, up and down until they reach their new perch at the feeders.  

Here, it looks like they're playing the game How Many Birds Can You Fit On A Feeder.  Kind of like how many people in a telephone booth.

Mrs. Towhee was back again today without the mister.  See her on the right?  Their so many sunflower seed shells on the ground that it looks like they're standing in chocolate chip ice cream!

I saved the best for last.  This, I think, is my favorite photo from today.  Jackie, this one is for you!  Isn't he beautiful?!!??!

On the knitting front - I'm working on my second Wrap Thingie, an unfinished Mystery Shawl, and a hat for a friend who is undergoing chemotherapy and needs something to warm her head and cheer her up.

Stay warm and thanks for reading!

Relaxing Saturday

I opened my eyes this morning to ......MORE SNOW!  It was just coming down!  So pretty.    

I fixed breakfast and watched the birds as I ate.  Great view of them from the breakfast room / sunroom. 

Then, I went to finish the Wrap Thingie.  I added a couple more inches and then bound off.  I sewed the end to the side and TADA -- all done!  I made mine about 30 inches long instead of the 28 suggested by the pattern.  I've had a problem with other cowls that I've knit -- they're always too loose -- don't fit tight around my neck like I want which lets too much air in.  I don't care much for wearing hats and with my short hair, I really like something I can use to protect my ears from the cold.  

I like this.  This yarn stands up and doesn't droop. It helps that it's knit in a Moss Stitch - gives it more body.  This f its close to my neck and will stand up and cover my ears if needed.  I knit this on #11 needles using Taos yarn by Tahki.

I've already cast on for another one!

I headed to knitting at Panera's around lunchtime and the group was there!  Everyone was busily knitting away.  I worked on my new Warp Thingie.  I also figured out where I was on one of my unfinished Mystery Shawls and actually worked half of a row.  Big change to the finger senses going from chunky yarn to laceweight silk.  

Caesar Creek Gorge looked beautiful with its snowy coat.  Thursday, when I drove past, there was a family with two children sledding down the grassy slope of the dam.  

On the way home from Panera's, I stopped in at Yarn & Needle in Centerville and Wooly Bully in Springboro. Am so lucky to have TWO yarn shops so close by!

Stay Warm and KNIT ON!