tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321057002024-03-07T07:59:55.527-08:00Itchy FingersJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.comBlogger231125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-14823792523252116582011-03-30T01:31:00.000-07:002011-03-30T01:35:43.834-07:00Time for something newAs you've probably noticed, I'm not blogging here much anymore. My life has moved to a different season and the knitting and spinning is playing a lesser role. <br /><br />In light of that I decided to start a new blog. This one will include the knitting and spinning but also the other things in my head and heart that I would like to share. There is no real aim, or theme, but I enjoy writing, and I enjoy sharing the things I learn and live. If you'd like to join me, please come on over!<br /><a href="http://ihaveitchyfingers.blogspot.com/"><br />http://ihaveitchyfingers.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />I've enjoyed meeting new people through this blog and am thankful that you indulged me all this time. Onward!Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-25804570638997158772010-07-29T11:23:00.000-07:002010-07-29T11:57:35.355-07:00Tour Wrap Up<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiAgEhKjR_0_Vqfl_BmI_YgpydT56ce-XdvIxoYaoAaFIVAy8PRN05ba9kM9MGk7-Vrr1ySV1sJjrnzFfkKX7Cv-doUJDdP_mFj32ckJhzfJWxOW7lPbnwApHGo-835YqMRFa/s1600/TDF2010.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiAgEhKjR_0_Vqfl_BmI_YgpydT56ce-XdvIxoYaoAaFIVAy8PRN05ba9kM9MGk7-Vrr1ySV1sJjrnzFfkKX7Cv-doUJDdP_mFj32ckJhzfJWxOW7lPbnwApHGo-835YqMRFa/s320/TDF2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499395640095580450" border="0" /></a><br />So, here is what I got done during the Tour de Fleece 2010. My goal was not speed or to spin massive amounts. I had two goals... to spin enough for the charity auction. Check. And to try some new fibers/techniques. Semi-check.<br /><br />I started out strong, teaching myself to navajo ply with some leftover singles. New technique, check.<br /><br />Then I spun like mad for the charity event. Check.<br /><br />Next I made an attempt to spin a sock yarn. It didn't end well. The drafting technique I tried was pretty much... daft. I completely over spun my singles. It was my first traditional 3-ply. Which was interesting. I found a couple mistakes in the plying. Who knew adding one more tiny strand would junk up the works so much? Anyhow, that poor BFL is bulletproof. It ended up with the thickness of a sport to dk weight but the yardage of worsted. Someone with small feet is going to get a nice pair of footies that will last forever. It's the center yarn, Bijou from the Zen String Fiber of the month club... a while ago.<br /><br />Then I got distracted. A couple of people from the team I was spinning with mentioned their opinions on drafting Targhee. It was not favorable. Now, I was shocked. I think drafting Targhee is a dream. But I've only done it once. So I thought... well maybe it was a fluke? So I pulled the only bump of Targhee I had out and spun it. It was even dreamier than the first time. To each their own! The finished product is a completely lovely 2 ply worsted weight... the blue/black/purple number up there. It's delicious. It's Midnight View from the Selah fiber of the month club.<br /><br />I have one item incomplete from the tour... Becoming Art, Gypsy Love, on Superwash Merino. This one I think will actually be a heavy fingering weight. Maybe a light sport. This is progress. I ditched the daft drafting and found some brain cells again so my singles are looking good. My plan is to navajo ply this so that the colors will pool. I've been dividing up the fiber in color chunks. Some are a little more mixed than the two showing on the bobbin there. I think it should be pretty neat. This will be my first whole skein navajo plied. So you see... I didn't quite complete this challenge. But I got close.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENWKi1m6EUfO84Vf4S6ZkuAZ8twHWY5cgJij_5gqHnT_8n3kC7juIyGBW_nCfX2xk9sKC008LscDcbYtWFa1S92MfjOLHTQMqR28SVAQL75SWiB8HRrOUWqiH9mBOpG7Hsh4L/s1600/TDF2010Unfinished.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENWKi1m6EUfO84Vf4S6ZkuAZ8twHWY5cgJij_5gqHnT_8n3kC7juIyGBW_nCfX2xk9sKC008LscDcbYtWFa1S92MfjOLHTQMqR28SVAQL75SWiB8HRrOUWqiH9mBOpG7Hsh4L/s320/TDF2010Unfinished.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499395631775523474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">By the way... who thought flesh colored tile would look good in front of a fireplace?</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Do you see it there? Ick.</span><br /><br />While we're talking about opinions on fiber... Merino, not my favorite. It's popular because of it's softness and availability. But it's not that fun to spin. I feel like my fingers have to inch their way along crawling on top of each other. No long drafting with this stuff. It's high maintenance. It makes a lovely finished product though so I'm not going to throw it out completely.<br /><br />While spinning thin I learned more about my wheel. It has a proclivity to grab at the fiber every now and then. When I was spinning thicker I really didn't notice that. But spinning thin... it jerks it out of my hand and often breaks off my work. Annoying. I've been told I can troubleshoot this by replacing the nylon tension string with some crochet cotton. We shall see.<br /><br />I also spent part of an afternoon giving a Lendrum DT a test drive. It was a learning experience. The thing I enjoyed about it was that the wheel had more inertia and therefore the spinning felt smoother. The biggest downside? My feet are so long they don't even remotely fit on the treadles. It was not comfortable. And I missed my delta orifice. Having to use a threading hook seemed tedious. I'm not used to it. My conclusions after this are that I may want to upgrade my wheel to one with more enertia, but I'll probably stick to a Majacraft... unless I fall in love with Bill's new wheel.<br /><br />Bill down at Paradise Fibers has his own wheel in the final stages. He took me all through the Lendrum and told me it's advantages and disadvantages. Then he took me through what their new wheel will be like and it's advantages. He didn't have one in the shop so I didn't see or spin on it. It sounds very interesting so I'm definitely going to keep stopping by there until I get to try one. I definitely think it's hard to choose a wheel when you're a beginner. You really don't know what you like or dislike or how you like to spin. Now that I have a couple years of spinning behind me I do. My initial instinct on what type of wheel I'd like was pretty right on. But I think I got lucky. For the price, my Pioneer is a dream.<br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-24060169213441443722010-07-20T13:08:00.000-07:002010-07-20T13:23:07.672-07:00Tour de Fleece<div style="text-align: center;">Yes, you read that correctly. We fiber enthusiasts will take any occasion for creating a knit or spin along. Oddly enough it's gotten me to actually watch some of the Tour <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">de</span> France for the first time. It's rather interesting. Of course the tom boy in me can become a fan of pretty much any sport. Four brothers will do that to any girl.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />So far I've spun up a few items for another charity auction, and one dud.<br /><br />Woodland in Spring by Mosaic Moon... is a gorgeous single ply merino. The colors told me that's what they wanted to be. When fiber speaks, it's best to listen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lxF_2gAIGt8K30NAJHq5Ril5Txntj9Rb4a8Gfmn7OW1MuLQxPaRZphQlzcU42ZylsL9Q5mZCGHU-kZoP7Rjj85NOL9OuAmFnq9oqMJNeFRYSy7DocjPuKVd9F5xIk517znQG/s1600/WoodlandInSpring2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lxF_2gAIGt8K30NAJHq5Ril5Txntj9Rb4a8Gfmn7OW1MuLQxPaRZphQlzcU42ZylsL9Q5mZCGHU-kZoP7Rjj85NOL9OuAmFnq9oqMJNeFRYSy7DocjPuKVd9F5xIk517znQG/s320/WoodlandInSpring2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496083483263698354" border="0" /></a><br />I also spun a 2 ply <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">BFL</span>, Blooming by Mosaic Moon. It has the loveliest sheen to it. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">BFL</span> is like that. So soft and fluffy too. Yum. The colors ended up pooling in the skeins... one is heavy on the green, the other heavy on the pink. Not sure why. It certainly wouldn't stop me from bidding on it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRrKMJPbbFwUTT-nUSKjExgyDo3xmrKs-MddI8zX7Y6S5W5-PS3l6n7GaZ0yodBc7YyuvYNFv8AnDEieEK7J3f_9U-TfvU0jkCCdF9ZHmv7znww0gvJkQPXnAqbE2f05WvP9m/s1600/Blooming3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRrKMJPbbFwUTT-nUSKjExgyDo3xmrKs-MddI8zX7Y6S5W5-PS3l6n7GaZ0yodBc7YyuvYNFv8AnDEieEK7J3f_9U-TfvU0jkCCdF9ZHmv7znww0gvJkQPXnAqbE2f05WvP9m/s320/Blooming3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496083508213571874" border="0" /></a><br />The third is a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">superwash</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">BFL</span>, Bijou by Zen String (now Wildflower Whimsy). For my birthday Hub got me a tensioned lazy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">kate</span>. Oh the luxury! I thought it was time to attempt a 3-ply. This is where the learning curve enters into play. I totally <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">overspun</span> this fiber. The yardage is worsted, but the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">WPI</span> make it more of a heavy sport weight. It also has some issues in the plying. Managing 3 singles apparently was also in the learning curve. Ah well... they can't all turn out right! It's still lovely and should make a nice pair of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">footies</span> for someone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJN2hJzyDXSoTGljrmL8OcJZVIMt0bUqnLxCP0GqtgINLvCGwdAxWIqeqb5R9y_MO0I0lXSMV2enCnXRSoMHMLjUltLMX21Q0fNqBhZCObHWmtrmPIjXlqTxCjORuYftjPwNUk/s1600/Bijou2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJN2hJzyDXSoTGljrmL8OcJZVIMt0bUqnLxCP0GqtgINLvCGwdAxWIqeqb5R9y_MO0I0lXSMV2enCnXRSoMHMLjUltLMX21Q0fNqBhZCObHWmtrmPIjXlqTxCjORuYftjPwNUk/s320/Bijou2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496084947824254770" border="0" /></a><br />And last, but certainly not least is this pair of mittens. I knit them from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Neverland</span> I spun up a few months ago. I have to say I think this may be one of my favorite things I've ever made. Lovely yarn, lovely product. They fit me perfectly. Which is generally the case when you're winging it and designing your own. However, I will be putting them in the charity auction. So people had better bid high on these! They are gorgeous! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1YG7zHm7Qo3xR8LrmwiUq88X7cigTkQkAnPEjSd1IAsl40rgXmiT2ew6QUeODkmniQhMf_KfIQCvp9CScp9kox5xrE4-56CKEdN7Nyf_kuuMMbgDSpl60PzVDLGVilKauSlw/s1600/NeverlandMittens3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1YG7zHm7Qo3xR8LrmwiUq88X7cigTkQkAnPEjSd1IAsl40rgXmiT2ew6QUeODkmniQhMf_KfIQCvp9CScp9kox5xrE4-56CKEdN7Nyf_kuuMMbgDSpl60PzVDLGVilKauSlw/s320/NeverlandMittens3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496085053278382722" border="0" /></a><br />The charity auction goes live on July 26<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">th</span>. It is to benefit Kim, of <a href="http://hyenacart.com/Sugarbubbie/">Green Strings by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">SugarBubbie</span></a>. After already enduring a difficult year financially her son was recently diagnosed with a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Wilms</span> Tumor. Items are being listed daily so keep checking back! Lovely yarns, fibers, and hand made items available.<br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-88621696613212093182010-05-06T10:50:00.000-07:002010-05-06T11:10:57.889-07:00You Spin Me Right Round Baby... Right Round...<div style="text-align: center;">Miss E recently had surgery to switch from an exterior port to an interior port. That's the best way I can describe it quickly. The "prize" she chose afterwords was the soundtrack to Alvin and the Chipmunks "The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Squeakquel</span>". That song has been running around in my head for two weeks... and coincidentally... I <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span> spinning! I'd like to introduce you to my new friends...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is Aquatic Dreams dyed (and donated) by Tina of Sugar <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bubbie</span>... my first spin with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">targhee</span>... it won't be my last. She was so well behaved I'd like to have her for tea everyday!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGormwCkWYjQ4AYcZ2pSoOHcA2WJVedme1YEbCDJ_KVurZfQFC5TanCCTt3R87-Z6t1aGdMVJfyMawW0Zd0kF4MCoAO1tRHEhnsetNDtqvZcbNVzAj5SM5ZThJ3dju20_b-Mcm/s1600/AquaticDreamsTarghee2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGormwCkWYjQ4AYcZ2pSoOHcA2WJVedme1YEbCDJ_KVurZfQFC5TanCCTt3R87-Z6t1aGdMVJfyMawW0Zd0kF4MCoAO1tRHEhnsetNDtqvZcbNVzAj5SM5ZThJ3dju20_b-Mcm/s320/AquaticDreamsTarghee2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468216105810557810" border="0" /></a><br />This is Jack... he was dyed by Three Irish Girls on Superfine Merino. He didn't behave quite as well as I'd have liked him to, but he was first on the wheel and it had been a long winter without spinning... so it's not all his fault. He had a rough upbringing. We're just going to call him "rustic".<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDY6z7Vt7lQ3c81cKizZ9F7m0qoqnjsTia2AD6q5YJBSYHgGQLGKKFhGvzc1vOg88wUInTVuFrZhAN52Uf71LySwRhJmtmB-DfLrVIsRHf0m7DXim59KeZZvYzKHpx2njcSV6W/s1600/JackSuperfineMerino2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDY6z7Vt7lQ3c81cKizZ9F7m0qoqnjsTia2AD6q5YJBSYHgGQLGKKFhGvzc1vOg88wUInTVuFrZhAN52Uf71LySwRhJmtmB-DfLrVIsRHf0m7DXim59KeZZvYzKHpx2njcSV6W/s320/JackSuperfineMerino2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468216119407448322" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">This here is my shiny friend... Lazy Day. She was dyed by Julie at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Selah</span>. She's a lovely 50/50 blend of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Superwash</span> Merino and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Tencel</span>. She's my first "I'm proud of it soft spun single". She's a little shy for the camera though... always trying to hide in the shadows.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxTxHM_pgqiUEYzsCYDQ7TFWeF14Ndp0B9cno9RuKz2UELBv2qGG9NZPQFh4AVbCkAjzTlmazw9sa_vs6-kuTGWs4K4MEoqHGPUkQ09VJzlll5xk8JcRIErNVGSY2hUdSBLEk/s1600/LazyDaySuperMerinoTencel3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxTxHM_pgqiUEYzsCYDQ7TFWeF14Ndp0B9cno9RuKz2UELBv2qGG9NZPQFh4AVbCkAjzTlmazw9sa_vs6-kuTGWs4K4MEoqHGPUkQ09VJzlll5xk8JcRIErNVGSY2hUdSBLEk/s320/LazyDaySuperMerinoTencel3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468216109367341954" border="0" /></a><br />And here is the showoff... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Neverland</span> dyed by Lisa at Becoming Art on Superfine Merino. She was a little high maintenance... the skeins didn't turn out very even. I think my stress level showed here with my inconsistency. Therefore, one skein must stay home with me... the "bad" one. Darn!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2agLldYMFG0ef-Hv3ECstDHBZ-XMatVi0sfM0KsZJ_2kWvSLl0uZpCu0xwJq2UnSOhP1-GYHOzk7-FbcMEcUyF51HwEwyQH2JIEF8OSgAi0aghF_h_rTpqRioZYRejxGxNBK/s1600/NeverlandSuperfineMerino1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2agLldYMFG0ef-Hv3ECstDHBZ-XMatVi0sfM0KsZJ_2kWvSLl0uZpCu0xwJq2UnSOhP1-GYHOzk7-FbcMEcUyF51HwEwyQH2JIEF8OSgAi0aghF_h_rTpqRioZYRejxGxNBK/s320/NeverlandSuperfineMerino1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468216122087608610" border="0" /></a><br />You know what the best part is? You, yes, YOU could take home any one of my friends for yourself! They are all going up for auction next week! A woman from a group I've been a part of since Miss N was born has fallen on tragic times. She needs our help. You can read part of her story and see the auction items that are being added every moment at <a href="http://hyenacart.com/WesternSkyKnits/">Western Sky Knits</a>. These lovely gals are the gracious hostesses for <a href="http://hyenacart.com/prod_details.php?id=77265&vid=1510">A Whole Latte Love</a>. Previews are going up every day and the auctions go live on May 14<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">th</span>! Don't miss out!<br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-64068574755493781542010-04-16T08:07:00.001-07:002010-04-16T08:30:15.515-07:00Completely non-depressing post!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepg1iax-v4qDi-CpxvFtPxO_6U8KKHdCBso7vf_mCSOAVv7kkqAfViKy5Gx4VeBOnSLXM5DmKkpspa97l_ASygAFvStcbkAQ68Bzx58iGCOnJj-TG2TbDY6jJgqZoa6SDLhne/s1600/LynchsEasterSweaters1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepg1iax-v4qDi-CpxvFtPxO_6U8KKHdCBso7vf_mCSOAVv7kkqAfViKy5Gx4VeBOnSLXM5DmKkpspa97l_ASygAFvStcbkAQ68Bzx58iGCOnJj-TG2TbDY6jJgqZoa6SDLhne/s320/LynchsEasterSweaters1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460753502657088834" border="0" /></a><br />I know, I've been a serious downer... meaningful, but downer posts! I'm going parade some pretty knits around and cheer you this time. I've been busy since I last blogged... meant to blog... but didn't. This seems to have turned into a chronic problem.<br /><br />First... there was the knitting <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Olympics</span>! I struggled a bit in the beginning because I had a project I wanted to finish, but it didn't count. So I was late to start. Both efforts are worth mentioning. Both knit with Hazel Knits Artisan Sock... the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Olympics</span> team I was on 'Hazel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Knuts</span>'. What can I say? Love her yarn! Gift socks in Sailors Delight. Hard to give away, but I had some more red waiting to be cast on so that helped. Akimbo for me. Oh Akimbo... I do love you. Your silky softness is so nice up against my neck... and your colors make me look alive on the dreariest of winter days when I am worn down and exhausted. Both things make you dear to me. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOjp2tM1nkNUeCqsxQrQe5ddNhpw2N7DjigxoPaukS9k8HZBSxgL11oL9vbMIIXx6VlrR92qqKRzwPc3J7T2Iq9EOCcsWRAegpU8_kPT0paK6s9E_I3Kip04K79eNNX5Ec1A_/s1600/PhoenixSocks2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOjp2tM1nkNUeCqsxQrQe5ddNhpw2N7DjigxoPaukS9k8HZBSxgL11oL9vbMIIXx6VlrR92qqKRzwPc3J7T2Iq9EOCcsWRAegpU8_kPT0paK6s9E_I3Kip04K79eNNX5Ec1A_/s320/PhoenixSocks2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460752792437331266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSuF8MbAeaVjXmHWaCau_N1HB_eyb8Re2sphKWPsqIfoR4YNnmXZ6mXc4t_GT4JOw-BQX_w148dyXOkQIPNooNoSaYxdyL9-Pdh4smys5OIQdBw-xeq1DuEEiGCZjsL-z6Xx7/s1600/AkimboModel2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSuF8MbAeaVjXmHWaCau_N1HB_eyb8Re2sphKWPsqIfoR4YNnmXZ6mXc4t_GT4JOw-BQX_w148dyXOkQIPNooNoSaYxdyL9-Pdh4smys5OIQdBw-xeq1DuEEiGCZjsL-z6Xx7/s320/AkimboModel2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460752799443980034" border="0" /></a><br />Next comes some adorableness so cute it might hurt your teeth. Easter sweaters for a family of our friends. I've never understood all the sundresses in the stores at Easter. I have never lived far enough south to even dare to hope to wear such a thing in early April! The yarn is Amy March by Yarn Love. A new yarn that I love...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJw_SPmfi0s8rwieKtpR61e9XR4R95eUXdgL9WiPB4Z7nyX3y1F60E0HkKdoLRFP9iXlfCYkhxOrOxVzYJkf5W6iOQIsWSVLl1jU6NZ6bWfutIzlXDWsxnbk2sJcBfLf2rJ1Q/s1600/LynchsEasterSweaters.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJw_SPmfi0s8rwieKtpR61e9XR4R95eUXdgL9WiPB4Z7nyX3y1F60E0HkKdoLRFP9iXlfCYkhxOrOxVzYJkf5W6iOQIsWSVLl1jU6NZ6bWfutIzlXDWsxnbk2sJcBfLf2rJ1Q/s320/LynchsEasterSweaters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460753503958954658" border="0" /></a><br />At this point I looked over at a whole stack of projects including cabling that I had started this winter but not gotten very far on. Cables... so gorgeous, but often they make my hands sore. I have resisted the plea "Mommy will you knit ME a sweater" (There is guilt involved here but I'm still holding strong.) and am working towards rectifying this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">UFCO</span> situation. (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">UnFinished</span> Cabled Objects) You may recall I tried this pattern before (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">BFF</span> Socks), and ran out of yarn for my big feet. So that pair turned into a gift for someone with significantly shorter feet. This time, enough yarn... barely. Yarn is Beckon Super Merino from Three Irish Girls. They were not the most fun to knit (sore hands), but they are lovely. And they enjoyed playing for the camera. Blues hardly ever play nice with the camera. They've earned more adoration from me for that.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITOjMvTbTBcnTLb7HmGiks_wlD0CYg_LHGId5O-lB2QpreCVWyP_Ztz-eb76aPiR9JBug-zbA0lIu2nrT6U9HTFj2iCxbgiz5htoLzbweSr4G42hp4Yy8s6dZ0dTlasWC1Wqu/s1600/MyCabledSocks1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITOjMvTbTBcnTLb7HmGiks_wlD0CYg_LHGId5O-lB2QpreCVWyP_Ztz-eb76aPiR9JBug-zbA0lIu2nrT6U9HTFj2iCxbgiz5htoLzbweSr4G42hp4Yy8s6dZ0dTlasWC1Wqu/s320/MyCabledSocks1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460754108140175122" border="0" /></a><br />And now I'm dutifully working away on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Koolhaas</span> Hat number two for Hub. A seriously SLOW knit. The first one I knit him with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">dk</span> weight yarn ended up too small. This time I'm knitting with worsted but am wondering if I should have gone up a needle size. We shall see! After that I think I'll allow myself to knit something without cables... or my fingers might fall off.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-48246182087319656602010-02-22T13:18:00.001-08:002010-02-22T13:51:09.295-08:00Sweet Samuel<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8ox0zgND4DOWSoVzTlrgMnq4vdRrAm-35LaHqn0xTuvo9AXjyEovfbdDYicZ37N_Gsrju81vWNomDcaPGA2jWlr9MolR1B-BR_mzIKgwEr1idPJpnezMT_VbqyxegWWDDste/s1600-h/SamuelsLogCabinBlanket3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8ox0zgND4DOWSoVzTlrgMnq4vdRrAm-35LaHqn0xTuvo9AXjyEovfbdDYicZ37N_Gsrju81vWNomDcaPGA2jWlr9MolR1B-BR_mzIKgwEr1idPJpnezMT_VbqyxegWWDDste/s320/SamuelsLogCabinBlanket3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441180600072648818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWicrgkNJQoN4PvYLIjrYQP5Aql8darUuBv66IjTzgq8sMKeNDT1nXFVU7pj0xckMEFgUvwBbQgUFYqhd0WeCrkqnOAAmKJ1TVZIJg9DzV4jbHywF3nCsa_jpDQaRIZumYG8MB/s1600-h/SamuelsLogCabinBlanket2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWicrgkNJQoN4PvYLIjrYQP5Aql8darUuBv66IjTzgq8sMKeNDT1nXFVU7pj0xckMEFgUvwBbQgUFYqhd0WeCrkqnOAAmKJ1TVZIJg9DzV4jbHywF3nCsa_jpDQaRIZumYG8MB/s320/SamuelsLogCabinBlanket2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441180591355940626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuQnTcgawfnUArAxXEJd9ZpbeuOEWb8CiAaeKKa-vW_GjA2GkaKOK2jcqB7xNh_sYgZwSpmALZC2Y6CdI4AypfpCvLasMdNECJizUQJZXJkE0CwOkrHLHW_4PObHBgQwCVlcy/s1600-h/SamuelsLogCabinBlanket1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuQnTcgawfnUArAxXEJd9ZpbeuOEWb8CiAaeKKa-vW_GjA2GkaKOK2jcqB7xNh_sYgZwSpmALZC2Y6CdI4AypfpCvLasMdNECJizUQJZXJkE0CwOkrHLHW_4PObHBgQwCVlcy/s320/SamuelsLogCabinBlanket1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441180581825370354" border="0" /></a><br />There seem to be phases of life that are just heavy. They are full of problems, belonging both to you and the ones you love. Obviously for us the past 15 months have been extremely heavy. And it has opened the door for others to walk into our lives who are also carrying heavy loads tagged 'childhood cancer'. But this particular burden came from both inside and outside of our cancer world. You see, one of the nurses in the pediatric oncology department also goes to our church. Before Miss E was diagnosed we only knew each other by name. Our husbands were quite familiar and friendly with one another, but somehow our paths had yet to intersect. Well, as you can imagine, living in the hospital, in her department, parked us at an intersection. She always did a really fantastic job at being professional. She avoided having direct care of us in order to maintain a good amount of professionalism. But she always found time on her break... or lunch... or at the end of her day to check on us. A slow sweet friendship was sprouting. Seven months ago we got out of the "living in the hospital" part of treatment and we have been able to form a much more normal friendship... time one on one and also time with our families together.<br /><br />I have always felt like she was a blessing to us. A special gift that God placed right in the hospital just for us! Little did I know he brought us together for our mutual benefit at hard places in both of our lives.<br /><br />Four weeks ago my friend, radiant and beautiful, 28 weeks pregnant with her second son... went from excitement and trepidation over having two rowdy boys in the house, to fear that her son would not live another day. Because of multiple serious health issues with the baby, the doctors decided it would be best for this sweet boy to be born at 28 weeks gestation. Most people know that is far too early for a baby to be born. Normal gestation is 40 weeks give or take a couple of weeks. But they knew if they did not get him out, he wouldn't have a chance. So out he came. His chance at life was slim. He fought hard and he made it past those first few fragile days. Life became upside down for his family. They had a baby... but he wasn't at home. Since it was a second boy they hadn't really bought anything new... he would get big brothers hand me downs. With Samuel remaining in the NICU, at home it was almost as if he didn't exist. It was a very strange reality.<br /><br />As I fervently prayed for this family, I also spent a week frantically knitting. Samuel needed something that was <span style="font-style: italic;">his</span>. Something made special just for him. The Bible says that children are a blessing. Samuel is a blessing. No matter what the circumstances are, he is beautiful, he is important, his life has meaning, and he is a blessing. I made him a "Sammy size <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">blankie</span>". A small, pretty, log cabin blanket. It was made with so much love. And as I knit it, it was a reminder to be continually in prayer for him. I was a little nervous in giving it... you never know how people are feeling in these situations. But I need not fear, it was perfect. It touched his mothers heart in just the right way.<br /><br />Yesterday, at precisely four weeks old, Sammy went home to the arms of his Heavenly Father. He only got to bless our lives for four short weeks. He will be greatly missed.<br /><br />If only there was a way that my hands could knit away the pain in his parents hearts now...<br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-21143586476010546312010-01-01T11:41:00.001-08:002010-01-01T11:57:08.955-08:002009 - The Year of Gifts<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0JVpeNqjUhx4ReuTTuxHfA8HrAJzZr9k9JKGJ9w-l19cDTZr8WQ98PdpXOgiAgipY0pDFEJZiQGyA9dhV38ruBg3YqkGXcnG-w-3VZCS-m44q3c67rglNUt9LcNAuYZSeYnf/s1600-h/Gifts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0JVpeNqjUhx4ReuTTuxHfA8HrAJzZr9k9JKGJ9w-l19cDTZr8WQ98PdpXOgiAgipY0pDFEJZiQGyA9dhV38ruBg3YqkGXcnG-w-3VZCS-m44q3c67rglNUt9LcNAuYZSeYnf/s320/Gifts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421859031595638562" border="0" /></a><br />For the first half of the year I spent endless hours, days, weeks in the hospital with Miss E. Just sitting. Much of the time she was in isolation and unable to even leave her room. Which meant I wasn't going anywhere either. Just sitting... unable to take care of Miss N... unable to take care of my home... my husband... etc... Just sitting. Knitting kept me company. Knitting kept me busy. Knitting kept me from jumping out the window from sheer boredom and uselessness. I found a mission.<br /><br />There were amazing people who stepped into our lives this year. The kind of people who come over to your house at 3am so that both Hub and I could take Miss E in to the ER when she was in severe pain and we were scared sick. The kind of people who come over and clean your house for you after wood floors have been refinished. That's a particularly nasty kind of messy there. The kind of people who care for your child as if she were there own. The kind of people who let you live in their home for three months while your house is being renovated to make it safe for your sick child. The kind of people who bring you Christmas dinner in the hospital and spend time with you in the place no one wants to be on a holiday. The kind of people who organize teams of people to bring you food and care for your healthy child. People who step into your everyday hospital life because it's their job... and then become your very dear friend. People who come and babysit and send you off on dates with your husband. Amazing people. Absolutely amazing.<br /><br />I felt so helpless. I FEEL so helpless still. There is so much I can't do. We continue to need other people everyday. There is absolutely nothing I could possibly do to thank these people who have come into our lives in such an amazing way. Nothing could equal what they have done for us and are continuing to do for us as we walk through this nightmare called childhood cancer. But what I could do... was knit. I knit love and thankfulness and prayers for blessing into every stitch I made. I hope that these very small tokens of my love and effort touched them in even just a small way. Because they have all touched our lives in a very big way. I couldn't possibly make something for every person who has helped us along the way. I don't even know every person who has! These gifts were for the people who have been involved with us every day. They haven't fizzled out. They haven't forgotten us. They're still here, always supporting, helping, encouraging and loving us. It is truly a priceless gift we have been given.<br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-59044175545080364562009-12-01T16:37:00.000-08:002009-12-01T16:50:29.964-08:00Moms Cabled Mitts Pattern<div style="text-align: center;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks to <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/sheri/">Sheri</a> at <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/">The Loopy Ewe</a>, this pattern is in hot demand. Many people not on Ravelry have been wanting to get their hands on it. This isn't the tidiest way to get it out there, but it is quick! Sheri has also created a <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/sheri/2009/11/piled-up-but-working-fast">row counting worksheet</a> to help everyone out. Enjoy! (And please excuse the bizarre text editing... apparently blogger does not enjoy text being copied and pasted!)</span><br /></div><!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- 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mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style="font-size:20pt;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style="font-size:20pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Mom’s Cabled Mitt’s</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style="font-size:20pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><a style="font-family: times new roman;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARovXxsI7rF6a93PqSa-kDP-y7gFH9Ro6iLRzP0jmhDIIDhaZYxgn5spr1Mm8cYf7WNtu4gajrGmGeN-5j7prX0vhw8s1qNbTO7vo_2YL4PvwZrBcCKhQAXbO8m9urPThotL-/s1600/NotMomsBlackMitts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARovXxsI7rF6a93PqSa-kDP-y7gFH9Ro6iLRzP0jmhDIIDhaZYxgn5spr1Mm8cYf7WNtu4gajrGmGeN-5j7prX0vhw8s1qNbTO7vo_2YL4PvwZrBcCKhQAXbO8m9urPThotL-/s320/NotMomsBlackMitts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410431984416654194" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Size Large modeled by me.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Materials</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">: 130ish yards of a heavy worsted weight.<span style=""> </span>Examples were knit in Karabella Aurora 8, Black & Lorna’s Laces Shepherds Worsted, Red Rover.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Needles</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">: US size 5 (3.75mm)<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Gauge: 11 stitches and 14 rows per 2 inches<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Size</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">: Womens S/M (M/L) – The M/L is longer, but no bigger around.<span style=""> </span>The pattern stretches plenty to cover both sizes.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Notes: </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">This pattern was knit in the round on double pointed needles.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">K1 – knit one<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">P1 – purl one<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">M1 – make one<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">PM – place marker<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">SM – slip marker<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Ribbing Row<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">P1, (K3, P2 - 3x), K8, (P2, K3 - 3x), P1<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Cable Row<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">P1, (K3, P2 3x), Cable Twist, (P2, K3 3x), P1<o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > </span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Cable Twist<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Slip 4 stitches to cable needle, hold to front or back, knit 4 stitches from needle, knit 4 stitches from cable needle, continue in pattern around.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">**I made these with mirrored cables.<span style=""> </span>You can do this easily by holding the cable stitches to the back on one mitten and the front on the other.<span style=""> </span>Or if you just want them the same hold to the same (front or back) on both.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Directions: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Cast on 40 stitches.<span style=""> </span>(I use long tail cast on – you want it to be stretchy)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Join to begin knitting in the round.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Knit 5(6) rows of Ribbing Row</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Knit Cable Row</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">**Knit Ribbing Row 8x(9x)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">**Knit Cable Row</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">**Repeat these 9(10) rows for 18(20) rows, it’s time to start the thumb shaping.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Thumb Shaping</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">For this pattern you will have an “assigned” mitt for each hand because you want the cable on top of each hand.<span style=""> </span>So you will be putting a thumb on opposite sides of the cable for each mitt.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Right Mitten</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Prep Round: P1, (K3, P2 - 3x), K8, P2, K3, P2, K1, PM, K1, PM, continue in pattern to end.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">**Rnd 1: Knit in pattern to marker, SM, M1, Knit to marker, M1, SM, knit in pattern to end.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">**Rnd 2 & 3: Knit in pattern<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Left Mitten</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">PrepRound: P1, K3, P2, K1, PM, K1, PM, Continue in pattern around.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">**Rnd 1: Knit in pattern to marker, SM, M1, Knit to marker, M1, SM, knit in pattern to end.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">**Rnd 2 & 3: Knit in pattern<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">**Repeat these three rows until you have 13 stitches between your markers for the thumb.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Knit 2 more rows in pattern.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Knit around in pattern, when you get to the thumb stitches, place them on some waste yarn and cast on one stitch in it’s place.<span style=""> </span>(I used backwards loop method, do as you choose!)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Knit 7(11) more rows in pattern.<span style=""> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(There should be 5(6) rows of ribbing at beg & end of mitts bef/after the cable at either end of the mitt – in other<span style=""> </span>words they should mirror one another)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Cast off loosely in pattern!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Now you need to go back and pick up the thumb stitches that you have on waste yarn.<span style=""> </span>You will also want to pick up 3 stitches in the gap at the top of the thumb.<span style=""> </span>(This could be more or less… just make sure there are no gaps.)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Knit 4(5) rows.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Cast off loosely!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Viola, gorgeous mitt’s!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This pattern is copyright protected<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">© 2008 Jessica Jensen<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://artistjess.blogspot.com/<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This pattern is for your personal, non-commercial use only.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">You are not allowed to make garments from this pattern for sale anywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >You are not allowed to mass produce this pattern or garments made from it.</span><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p></o:p></span></p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-66178564231197003662009-11-18T14:34:00.001-08:002009-11-18T15:05:45.400-08:00A Link<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4e2NDNweIwyXFAFsx5Y8yhAiyd3PVvOvIpHJua-VuOB_OmW2w9qTUhfcKCZAf3RxA7GD-oCPAFqaG4DPVaqD5fnf5cbYNBrPSzND_jfSqBbG3W_8Qy0huyFPtYeCezoh8w3B/s1600/MissNBlankie1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4e2NDNweIwyXFAFsx5Y8yhAiyd3PVvOvIpHJua-VuOB_OmW2w9qTUhfcKCZAf3RxA7GD-oCPAFqaG4DPVaqD5fnf5cbYNBrPSzND_jfSqBbG3W_8Qy0huyFPtYeCezoh8w3B/s320/MissNBlankie1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405575852846756226" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">For me, there has always been a link between my hands and my heart. And in this difficult year the connection has been deep and apparent to me. For most of the year I was literally locked up in the hospital with Miss E. Away from Hub, away from Miss N. We were a family split in half.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdsjEvO3I4jS4ot_bFijq3qPeVB0sU9PiyeBHlZ93-o8_HB3RtkbsdPFPp67P9MehcFWecMvUZ8SC6klaawxPQWkbARiq949B0MJa1ZMNLqx-8K0tPP1UsFkyy5jvAY3z4mUL/s1600/MissNBlankie5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdsjEvO3I4jS4ot_bFijq3qPeVB0sU9PiyeBHlZ93-o8_HB3RtkbsdPFPp67P9MehcFWecMvUZ8SC6klaawxPQWkbARiq949B0MJa1ZMNLqx-8K0tPP1UsFkyy5jvAY3z4mUL/s320/MissNBlankie5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405575875423337218" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">During this time I tried to find ways to connect with Miss N. I tried to keep a connection between us. I tried to let her know I was still here... still thinking about her and loving her. It was hard. It was bitterly hard. She hurt. I hurt. We all hurt. We have been free of hospital stays for four months now. But the scars are there. After our initial stay (34 days/nights) I would leave a card, a note, a drawing... a little present for Miss N at home in my dresser. If we ended up in the hospital more than a few days Hub would sneak it out onto her pillow while she was brushing her teeth. It was a way for me to be at home with her. For the first eight months Miss E was inpatient over 50% of the time. That is a lot of time to live apart. Miss N now carries every single one of these notes and drawings with her every time she parts from me even if only for a few hours. On one hand, I love that she does this. I totally get it. The small gifts are forgotten, but the things made with my hands, the words written from my heart, are treasured by her. On the other hand... it is heart wrenching. I know the scars she has. I know the fears she has. And the fact that she clings to these things so dearly exposes them. <br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vEZG88jMkjWJwbfnaeqDQ0UNTvw-5N9H1ecfm6_MOD6EqmupsCfMvVwua09Zc0hAf5jMkhsNYKDIZ2likeKpaBzFbpDe04TGssQAmJ7f3S-K-t7wy_uHF-qAOg3Cde5aVwyl/s1600/MissNBlankie4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vEZG88jMkjWJwbfnaeqDQ0UNTvw-5N9H1ecfm6_MOD6EqmupsCfMvVwua09Zc0hAf5jMkhsNYKDIZ2likeKpaBzFbpDe04TGssQAmJ7f3S-K-t7wy_uHF-qAOg3Cde5aVwyl/s320/MissNBlankie4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405575873682324418" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">During much of this time I would have her blanket with me. <a href="http://artistjess.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-100th-project.html">I started it</a> before Miss E was diagnosed... but it proved to be the perfect timing. Most nights after work Hub would pick up Miss N and they would come up to visit at the hospital. If I had been working on the blanket, she noticed. She would light up. She would go home for the night with a smile on her face and say "Now don't forget to work more on my blanket!". It was a connection between the two of us even when we were apart.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41TUdNWbLW8bNc9hukf3VVaep8UNX92sskZXaSUxDikqVrekjgrQyAgLP7YC73HaVyDtLvrfbp9ridRj_XMpHgPrkoibkjmc5eyLRGvoByzeSEilvL9B13MRx3Ib8cwo-gjUs/s1600/MissNBlankie3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41TUdNWbLW8bNc9hukf3VVaep8UNX92sskZXaSUxDikqVrekjgrQyAgLP7YC73HaVyDtLvrfbp9ridRj_XMpHgPrkoibkjmc5eyLRGvoByzeSEilvL9B13MRx3Ib8cwo-gjUs/s320/MissNBlankie3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405575867342858770" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Now, it's certainly not as flashy as the new Nintendo DS she got spoiled with today. But I know that she will treasure it. I know that it spoke love into her heart far more than any other gift can.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fh0HRO_OVSE9fieQXeKMqK6Sigo5jZkGdHEI-9eEiVlZtBLlluXpxGdaqnAvrtaO3Td1cW3YGugAPDCPD8sMr8ub6khkoEhbP_JVrsGOOHZfPjt-LRerI3eSEh6QlSbs4MNk/s1600/MissNBlankie2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fh0HRO_OVSE9fieQXeKMqK6Sigo5jZkGdHEI-9eEiVlZtBLlluXpxGdaqnAvrtaO3Td1cW3YGugAPDCPD8sMr8ub6khkoEhbP_JVrsGOOHZfPjt-LRerI3eSEh6QlSbs4MNk/s320/MissNBlankie2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405575859981349890" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">She has had quite a fifth year our Miss N. Just ten days in she became a sibling survivor. In her 5th year she faced issues most adults have yet to face. She grew an astounding 4-1/4 inches! (and is in the midst of another fierce growth spurt) She ate a ton... there were many comedic moments when we'd be offering ANYTHING to Miss E... begging her to eat... and in the background you could hear Miss N "I'll eat it! Can I have some?! Please?!". She learned to read. And she made us so very proud. Life handed her a lot. But she handled most of it with more grace and understanding than most adults do. On this her sixth birthday... my hope and prayer is for a year entirely different from the last. For her to have a year of just being a kid! I love you Miss N!<br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-9789196579526274262009-11-16T09:50:00.001-08:002009-11-16T10:10:51.127-08:00What I CAN do<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbIrwKgKJ645nE4LDBIKCNiNYnE9t3ye5uNC7tIM_IsgG33Kvn6DyrW6qZoNnXaimpytE4gLlo6nGTJJhGhwPVvCjeFG9AIU7Uj9WTYOTt-N_fSCLiA1HWqQDlVOcVf3Z7jD_/s1600/HKProcedureSocks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbIrwKgKJ645nE4LDBIKCNiNYnE9t3ye5uNC7tIM_IsgG33Kvn6DyrW6qZoNnXaimpytE4gLlo6nGTJJhGhwPVvCjeFG9AIU7Uj9WTYOTt-N_fSCLiA1HWqQDlVOcVf3Z7jD_/s320/HKProcedureSocks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404763993329714066" border="0" /></a><br />We are fast approaching the year mark from the date of Miss E's diagnosis. From the first moment I knew her life was entirely out of my hands. I've done my best to walk along side her, to comfort her, to assess her constantly and get her help when she needs it. But there is always that desire to do more. And yet, most of the time it feels like my hands are tied. I can't simply eliminate bad foods from her diet or from something she is allergic to. She needs help that is so big and complicated I don't even understand most of it. That's a hard place for a parent. You want to be the one to fix everything, to make everything ok, to protect and shelter your child from any and everything that could harm them. And in this circumstance I really can not. I must place her firmly in Gods hands and pray that he would let us keep her just a little longer. I know in my head that that is really the case with both of my children. They are His, not mine. They are only mine to care for for a little while. Living with a child with cancer really makes you face the reality of that.<br /><br />A little over a week ago I became obsessed with knitting her a pair of socks for her to wear to her procedures last week. Procedure day isn't fun. Miss E hates being sedated and I hate to watch. There is something so utterly unnatural about it... it just goes against the grain of my being. Unfortunately it's a regular part of her treatment. So much so that I have lost count of the number of times we've been in that room. At a certain point I realized I'd sort of crossed the lines of sanity with the sock obsession. It doesn't take long to knit her a pair of socks, she has tiny feet. But my desire to have them done <span style="font-style: italic;">before</span> procedure day was a little too fiery. I then realized that something inside of me felt like if I could do this, it would make us both feel better. That somehow having these socks on her feet would make me feel like I was able to do <span style="font-style: italic;">something</span> to make her feel more at ease. And she adores her 'mommy socks'. She's always gotten cold but now is much more likely to do so. I think she loves her 'mommy socks' because they're all made of wool and keep her chilly feet warm. (Miss N on the other hand... strips off all her clothes any chance she gets. She is seriously hot blooded!) So knit away I did... and when I mentioned my crazy thinking that somehow these socks would make procedure day better for both of us my husband said "It will.". God bless him. He gets it.<br /><br />I've finished up several other knits... much more interesting knitting-wise, but less attached to my heart... <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70741122@N00/4078375783/">lace ribbon scarf</a> for me, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70741122@N00/4061793402/">handspun baby sweater</a> with some of my very earliest yarn, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70741122@N00/4109097895/">more socks for E</a>, and another Nancy Bush pattern - this time <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70741122@N00/4109097803/">for Hub</a>. Miss N's blanket is also done... just two more days until I can give it to her! That project and it's recipient deserve their own post.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-57778112774558273852009-10-25T10:16:00.001-07:002009-10-25T10:32:54.612-07:00Knit Candy<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfDnH4q249m935wAyOldB3Ej6Z5zbRV78T22TQHtvmzHosVi-GHVba7-ovOWOkM9bHDEpMtIBTiwGjz1SsiYmlGASjk6e2OpQ53IcltBWf1XQEHKN1qs1Za1evEQPwnStwWXO/s1600-h/SproutPixieHat1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfDnH4q249m935wAyOldB3Ej6Z5zbRV78T22TQHtvmzHosVi-GHVba7-ovOWOkM9bHDEpMtIBTiwGjz1SsiYmlGASjk6e2OpQ53IcltBWf1XQEHKN1qs1Za1evEQPwnStwWXO/s320/SproutPixieHat1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396588016042814146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Miss E in her new Handspun Pixie Hat!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes, you just need some quick projects to come off the needles. Lately it seems like I've been slogging away on some bigger projects and I needed a break. Enter three really adorable kid knits!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwwzlOy2H5YCive0Rl0UjO-ir3w18VIGMVY6tiQOH3QnjLgGnxaLmCUVb56gL-M-9c7ECRYH4KTkp6GYzKARLpR9622dnQkj5QEf2PngBdukSViGWQIG7kEqwdaMquZu1SAx9/s1600-h/FlamingoScarf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwwzlOy2H5YCive0Rl0UjO-ir3w18VIGMVY6tiQOH3QnjLgGnxaLmCUVb56gL-M-9c7ECRYH4KTkp6GYzKARLpR9622dnQkj5QEf2PngBdukSViGWQIG7kEqwdaMquZu1SAx9/s320/FlamingoScarf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396588011197399602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Miss E in her new Flamingo Ruffle Scarf. <br />If you ask me it looks like it belongs to Cindy Lou Hou!</span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And look at how long and thick her hair is getting!</span></span><br /><br />This yarn was leftover from the girls <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70741122@N00/3229343265/in/set-72157612869410643/">Flamingo Hats</a> that I knit last year. I don't think I ever blogged about them. A friend sent the yarn with solids dyed to fit my girls personalities... matching, but not quite matching. It was in my cabinet with my patterns and it kept falling out. Finally I'd had it with the yarn falling out on me and decided to just knit the darn scarf I'd been thinking of! I don't know why I waited so long!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_95PD4JgW7j8_FJ1oq47WLm6YZGqdP2IQRn7XJZRTbvqGSv2VmHr0JC19Y7frYQjc4M1QIZnIaYlYWCZCy0dcE7oXUHHBeYrDSEKD3OQEhD9F1cw6B57Um50ldEdYMgkWw8cl/s1600-h/IssacsHat1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_95PD4JgW7j8_FJ1oq47WLm6YZGqdP2IQRn7XJZRTbvqGSv2VmHr0JC19Y7frYQjc4M1QIZnIaYlYWCZCy0dcE7oXUHHBeYrDSEKD3OQEhD9F1cw6B57Um50ldEdYMgkWw8cl/s320/IssacsHat1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396588007402593266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >And last but not least, Miss E modeling Issac's Hat knit with Handspun.</span><br /><br />Issac is the son of a good friend. Not only does this friend go to our church, she is also a nurse in the peds oncology unit where we have literally lived for almost a year. Her son turned two this week and he has a nice big round head... this kind of hat looks completely adorable on such a boy!<br /><br />I knit Miss E her new Pixie hat after Issac's hat. I used her head to base the sizing on and she really liked the hat. She wanted one with "piggy tails" too!<br /><br />Two of these projects are knit with my own handspun. I learned that it's important to do that because you really don't know the quality of yarn you are getting until you actually knit some. Lately I've been thinking I was getting great yarn... it turns out I've actually been over spinning my singles a bit. There are rough spots in the yarn where it's got too much twist in it. Lesson learned: Knit your yarn!<br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-52740482355334450432009-10-08T14:29:00.000-07:002009-10-08T14:51:40.390-07:00Fresh off the wheel...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh284thkMzaSy4mUxaCP9I5ajqhXIqQ0SqKBYGUwdWIqyPzWU1hce6IDHiG_Or6uXkzNvpvTOqNrhONRkhKj_WK6erTh_oZxMdoy250Et2q__lAEXaujAPjk3IrsRqUNEHp2YRS/s1600-h/OverCoffee4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh284thkMzaSy4mUxaCP9I5ajqhXIqQ0SqKBYGUwdWIqyPzWU1hce6IDHiG_Or6uXkzNvpvTOqNrhONRkhKj_WK6erTh_oZxMdoy250Et2q__lAEXaujAPjk3IrsRqUNEHp2YRS/s320/OverCoffee4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390344815167465330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfh2IUqFQVx4nHiSS4L-RFnFfVfUx3pwXnywkBM4s_cp1WVt4HAf_wAxtBCKc1XlyfWX0Xh47AUQkxBJZrEbABmmX4CnoSKg_aMEVpUFnQ-L-SL3vwSYnGtrUdHBc5qYGBdmYo/s1600-h/OverCoffee3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfh2IUqFQVx4nHiSS4L-RFnFfVfUx3pwXnywkBM4s_cp1WVt4HAf_wAxtBCKc1XlyfWX0Xh47AUQkxBJZrEbABmmX4CnoSKg_aMEVpUFnQ-L-SL3vwSYnGtrUdHBc5qYGBdmYo/s320/OverCoffee3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390344805907156258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7BCooRbRjwcjNxxaIAIgRbKvOfBjxGRmTojZST7I4nnlxubi7rmlElq_72sGtPPzWAlUMYsg9nCgGyMfsL2Bg-kZGz4M3kQo5QfLZHBphYwPvW02tcVhQUZIlwKUN_resuj7/s1600-h/OverCoffee1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7BCooRbRjwcjNxxaIAIgRbKvOfBjxGRmTojZST7I4nnlxubi7rmlElq_72sGtPPzWAlUMYsg9nCgGyMfsL2Bg-kZGz4M3kQo5QfLZHBphYwPvW02tcVhQUZIlwKUN_resuj7/s320/OverCoffee1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390344785912107378" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is Selah, Over Coffee on Superwash Merino. She's very beautiful. I wound her into this crazy unruly hank though so she isn't shown to her full beauty.<br /><br />There are things good and bad about this spin. Good... I got the yardage I wanted - 7.5oz, 438yds. After many tries I CAN get something near a 2 ply worsted weight! Bad... this fiber was just plain weird. It wasn't combed smoothly... or something. Drafting was tricky and I really had to pay attention. As a result it's not nearly as even as the last yarn I spun. I'm not sure yet if I'll try to use it for the project I had intended. I think the uneven qualities might make it more suitable for something else. That's always the gamble with spinning your own yarn. And quite honestly, isn't the unknown part of the fun?!<br /><br />Psst... I FINISHED Miss N's blanket! And yes... over a month before her birthday! I have to weave in ends and then sneak it out for some pictures. And... I bought a zipper for my sweater. I just have to get up the guts to sew it in. Nothing like a nip in the air to motivate you to finish long languishing projects!<br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-52408775374337785192009-09-20T11:23:00.001-07:002009-09-20T11:27:31.066-07:00The Way to Miss N's Heart<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOe7KUHQYrNzqxfU8g6ZG-mEhjtztF88IIA_JKLqOnL7_g9Gu_3KVL-E3B8-ybyio_p_q1OWd_-UlJtdyFbRq10B-XdYQP_SBGl12dEohTbhS8mmzRmEEseM7WiCQWdFX7sfgR/s1600-h/NoahsLaceScarf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOe7KUHQYrNzqxfU8g6ZG-mEhjtztF88IIA_JKLqOnL7_g9Gu_3KVL-E3B8-ybyio_p_q1OWd_-UlJtdyFbRq10B-XdYQP_SBGl12dEohTbhS8mmzRmEEseM7WiCQWdFX7sfgR/s320/NoahsLaceScarf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383617086219906866" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Make it pink.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Si6T5b3sz1cX6_OEm96Bs0HCB_LL_YImjajE3nL_nS_QW-YDJgSpXAUKiu_0QSaV09BvqNTVKCwO5aQu0JMi5VpTqfDpQStjttJPGjdguI95eqLl2_-5nGndHTVDXwCRp9-9/s1600-h/NoahsLaceScarf1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Si6T5b3sz1cX6_OEm96Bs0HCB_LL_YImjajE3nL_nS_QW-YDJgSpXAUKiu_0QSaV09BvqNTVKCwO5aQu0JMi5VpTqfDpQStjttJPGjdguI95eqLl2_-5nGndHTVDXwCRp9-9/s320/NoahsLaceScarf1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383617078169130546" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Make it girly.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkgs6oewPvQYNJK2xjR9Vawz2tBd1PZ1NBd_ZjfQo5iGaLFp53TV1rMtEeagGODxJBhKF-w1oL43C-rY7sSqqk1ru5-QKGHyuZpTbabkNSACmjdFEaO6qp3pZcbtW4w5UygzO/s1600-h/NoahsLaceScarf3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkgs6oewPvQYNJK2xjR9Vawz2tBd1PZ1NBd_ZjfQo5iGaLFp53TV1rMtEeagGODxJBhKF-w1oL43C-rY7sSqqk1ru5-QKGHyuZpTbabkNSACmjdFEaO6qp3pZcbtW4w5UygzO/s320/NoahsLaceScarf3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383617097050320306" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Make it by hand.<br /><br />Put these three together and you get a very happy, giddy, silly little girl who feels loved.<br /><br />I forced her to wear the blue pants today. She wanted to wear hot pink. Pink, from head to toe... everyday...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: Old Shale Scarf<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: PlumKnit 80/20 Merino Cashmere<br />I only used about 40g of yarn, gave it a serious blocking and it ended up just the right length.<br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-16033068604629906962009-09-16T14:39:00.000-07:002009-09-16T14:52:03.213-07:00Bad Blogger hearts Nancy Bush<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__Ce_Ss8eTQx0a1zyiEjvAYeCNwbg0WCQSF_1PPtwLI9VP0yaI1rJT_Pt13VSqTeSNgKqd1KUtUdJpy3bpVyB6of9nUFpMxdK7t8h5o8hXXMto7v2moIZj9OLroDBYrgskxny/s1600-h/RavenFirstShell4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__Ce_Ss8eTQx0a1zyiEjvAYeCNwbg0WCQSF_1PPtwLI9VP0yaI1rJT_Pt13VSqTeSNgKqd1KUtUdJpy3bpVyB6of9nUFpMxdK7t8h5o8hXXMto7v2moIZj9OLroDBYrgskxny/s320/RavenFirstShell4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382183712437166562" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not really getting back into the groove of blogging yet. Caring for the special needs and getting to all the appointments of a child fighting cancer plus tackling the new project of homeschooling a kindergartner (and surprise a preschooler wants in on the fun too!)... plus just regular life stuff... equals a very busy and overwhelmed me.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwDW8tb8TZA6WEBJc6ZkpClsKWFcT5KF2sIwdnfPp8YvL2oQOYS48zhe5sMtW6LiMGxEF2elTcMshl5SNhujGStVzWeQ05Ac1EILwHTdAgyPNSLVU3cTdjlbqSIWoMEgFCSJQ/s1600-h/RavenFirstShell2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwDW8tb8TZA6WEBJc6ZkpClsKWFcT5KF2sIwdnfPp8YvL2oQOYS48zhe5sMtW6LiMGxEF2elTcMshl5SNhujGStVzWeQ05Ac1EILwHTdAgyPNSLVU3cTdjlbqSIWoMEgFCSJQ/s320/RavenFirstShell2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382183703197204418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErHUmhbvH5VLmVgUY-E8QF7CAURYp_KeR7DMu54TdKqCft3-yFoIbqUodmdakhITu0befuRm96CGCN4ZYpBJ3DAcEYWOxT8U9UYu7w1aznrzEbSZSEzYDuEu9Wwv5zzy8SlSg/s1600-h/RavenFirstShell1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErHUmhbvH5VLmVgUY-E8QF7CAURYp_KeR7DMu54TdKqCft3-yFoIbqUodmdakhITu0befuRm96CGCN4ZYpBJ3DAcEYWOxT8U9UYu7w1aznrzEbSZSEzYDuEu9Wwv5zzy8SlSg/s320/RavenFirstShell1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382183692114363810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />However... I just finished a project I want to share. I started out trying a simple sock, a popular new pattern, but it just wasn't doing it for me. RIP! So then... I searched my patterns for one that matched the cast on stitches and ribbing so I didn't have to fully rip out because that 1x1 twisted rib was looking sharp! What came from all this was a challenging project that I am very proud of! I love Nancy Bush. I think I need to own all of her books. While Knitting Vintage Socks is not the flashiest of books, of the sock books I own it gets used the most. Nancy knows how to put together both beautiful and practical patterns. This was a very enjoyable knit that turned out fantastic! And now... I actually own a pair of socks that won't be the brightest pair in the room. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: Childs First Sock in Shell Pattern by Nancy Bush<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: The Woolen Rabbit, Sock, Ebony or Raven... can't remember... but it's gorgeous!<br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9Lsn2Y6nTE3AO9pM1X1B5AUunUSiJeN6pj5v_1EIkPAWYr6RGb_9FZuvlV5IWcrX5_InOk30Ymf25MHWVdTd4amT_99eJQiBR-EI64-A3u6n5NDz8hkirDzQVNWsdXou3QSI/s1600-h/RavenFirstShell3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9Lsn2Y6nTE3AO9pM1X1B5AUunUSiJeN6pj5v_1EIkPAWYr6RGb_9FZuvlV5IWcrX5_InOk30Ymf25MHWVdTd4amT_99eJQiBR-EI64-A3u6n5NDz8hkirDzQVNWsdXou3QSI/s320/RavenFirstShell3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382183708873481490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4LSe3vBYrkXjqOO5O1KenXa9azaf1VHXMa1UophvwDblZSp6VDbSy2cr4bVGJS3vWD-8yX7Kk8cR_D8_LY2EAVsE2r9mIg_3r2xkfSbBbzausAzBee2JZEtzdd68XsddZad7/s1600-h/RavenFirstShell5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4LSe3vBYrkXjqOO5O1KenXa9azaf1VHXMa1UophvwDblZSp6VDbSy2cr4bVGJS3vWD-8yX7Kk8cR_D8_LY2EAVsE2r9mIg_3r2xkfSbBbzausAzBee2JZEtzdd68XsddZad7/s320/RavenFirstShell5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382183723837862594" border="0" /></a>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-60189163406501661342009-08-31T21:01:00.000-07:002009-08-31T21:16:22.068-07:00It's been said...... that knitters are some of the best people around. And I have to agree. While I have met the occasional non-friendly one, the good seeds FAR outweigh the bad! <br /><br />So there's this knitter, Sarah, who's <a href="http://paknitwit.blogspot.com/">blog</a> I've read for the past few years. We've exchanged a few messages back and forth now and then... nothing big really. Recently she started working on a blanket made from sock yarn scraps. She was in need of more purple. Well, if there is something I have an abundance of... it's sock yarn scraps! And I really have a thing for the purple socks. Last winter I realized I had I think four pair of purple socks... and one purple shirt. A little out of balance. Anyway... I knew I had a bunch and no plans for them so I offered them to her. No biggie. While I was at it I threw in a skein of purple yarn because... well... do I really need another pair of purple socks? Not for a while. Plus, she's an avid sock knitter and this is one of my favorite sock yarns and I don't believe she'd tried it yet. Must get her addicted too right? <br /><br />First off, she heartily thanked me several times on her blog. For scraps! No big deal, really! And then... over the weekend something very special arrived in my mailbox. An absolutely gorgeous Swallowtail Shawl in none other than the Hazel Knits yarn I had sent her! And it has beads. Hematite even. (The shiny gray ones that remind you of gray purls, one of my favorites.) It's perfect! It's as if she knew me intimately. I never thought I'd fall for such a thing but I'm in love. It's gorgeous. I keep petting it... especially the beaded part. I can't wait to find an occasion to show it off! <a href="http://www.candlelightersinlandnw.org/">Candlelighters</a> Christmas Party perhaps? Go take a look on her <a href="http://paknitwit.blogspot.com/2009/08/under-radar-knitting.html">blog</a>!<br /><br />But mostly, I'm blown away by her kindness to a stranger. I mean really, that is what we are. It was extremely thoughtful and kind and it really touched me. Unbeknown to me until just yesterday, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. (I've been too busy fighting childhood cancer to know what month to bring awareness!) What a fitting time to receive such a kind gift from someone I hardly know. Sarah, thank you so much.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-28426455886178842562009-07-29T14:36:00.000-07:002009-07-29T14:43:49.960-07:00Knit Parade<div style="text-align: center;">Getting back into the habit of blogging... how about a knit parade? The past couple of months I've had lots of time to knit, but none to block or take pictures. (ie I've been locked in the hospital) Here's a few knits I managed to block and wash this week besides the troublesome sweater. More are awaiting their turn later this week.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLdaf8uh9M7jxeKOUPugqyLFPU2R57CbG5tRe6uKRHyQLyNfP2YitpfyA9JnqDABmt-Eabs-WftpeBkk6C-EPVW_PEKFDsZTp8lENzVW6vEOlAkxlgXfu4lEORkaCXPhAsMp6/s1600-h/CrushedBerrySocks1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLdaf8uh9M7jxeKOUPugqyLFPU2R57CbG5tRe6uKRHyQLyNfP2YitpfyA9JnqDABmt-Eabs-WftpeBkk6C-EPVW_PEKFDsZTp8lENzVW6vEOlAkxlgXfu4lEORkaCXPhAsMp6/s320/CrushedBerrySocks1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363999575565938050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Basic Socks - But I dyed the yarn! Thrilled with the outcome!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUPDKzJfZ1AZuWfsKRJqdgxSWbgGrenL8tJKfpf0YCMC8yviV2b2gepHTHDmPwzx-Nq07xc5P8m8eSbTCdpv-bQ1TR8pRBvSNsITvWXauRSiBnXfLZXrJpOzmJGJXuoZEJbXM/s1600-h/LimeHelena2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUPDKzJfZ1AZuWfsKRJqdgxSWbgGrenL8tJKfpf0YCMC8yviV2b2gepHTHDmPwzx-Nq07xc5P8m8eSbTCdpv-bQ1TR8pRBvSNsITvWXauRSiBnXfLZXrJpOzmJGJXuoZEJbXM/s320/LimeHelena2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363999576066109986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Helena in Hazel Knits Artisan Lively, Lime Granita </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXV8l3P3zv0XpTXi4D7dKrc2puUJdHrXtj79kA40IM2GDQqLo84Zc0_5Q4KuzJ4zIy9psVeoVD7G5y-PMDroelByKEGg3vWrA1pW5m-m8888J-uIliDAMUckAwcUnthP0a22qc/s1600-h/BodieKimono1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXV8l3P3zv0XpTXi4D7dKrc2puUJdHrXtj79kA40IM2GDQqLo84Zc0_5Q4KuzJ4zIy9psVeoVD7G5y-PMDroelByKEGg3vWrA1pW5m-m8888J-uIliDAMUckAwcUnthP0a22qc/s320/BodieKimono1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363999561775203346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Sweet Mama Small Sugar Seamless Infant Kimono, Sugar Bubbie Gaia Worsted in Bodie<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">SO... grosgrain ribbon may help my puckering sweater you say? How does that work on the button hole side? Maybe I can find my info if I google...</span><br /></span></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-88311788461053909472009-07-28T15:03:00.000-07:002009-07-28T16:50:46.911-07:00Help!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-c5qlw7pSVA-FuEhogNap9f1UE_LUvJHsJlJZscGHYkHN9J3SAVIPrlY27blbH8wxPeYFuCoSVMRUdXHpykCIkxse7kk1mJvpRQatGUHCOzXjd93vZrKtn8TRkM7Xu4IJ277r/s1600-h/PuckeredWicked.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-c5qlw7pSVA-FuEhogNap9f1UE_LUvJHsJlJZscGHYkHN9J3SAVIPrlY27blbH8wxPeYFuCoSVMRUdXHpykCIkxse7kk1mJvpRQatGUHCOzXjd93vZrKtn8TRkM7Xu4IJ277r/s320/PuckeredWicked.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363635131201347650" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I finally completed a sweater that fits me and it's cute too! Problem... the button pucker. As you can see it's even puckering when laying flat. I tried to straighten it out before I took the picture but I couldn't! You can imagine how the problem compounds when I put it on. What's up with this?! Do I need the buttons that stand up off the fabric? I tried sewing them on somewhat loosely but that doesn't seem to have helped these buttons. Also, they pop out regularly when it's on.<br /><br />I haven't seen this happen except on sweaters that were just too tight. And although I have put no 10 pounds since I started knitting it (Darn that sleep deprivation, hospital food and all that sitting around on my arse!) it's still loose enough that it should be behaving this way.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So this is for those of you with experience here... HELP PLEASE! :)<br /><br />ETA: I have already washed and blocked the sweater. Nice thought though Hattie! I already tried getting bigger buttons. Maybe I need even bigger. The button holes seem really stretchy though. Maybe the problem is in the stretch of the yarn?<br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-37069046648591734312009-07-05T16:40:00.001-07:002009-07-05T16:55:41.020-07:00Charlotte May<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R9JvIDrqvnMvX3SuHAiyKa_Mt3SYTcfcDn1K5EdQseAplwJZtZr6qXzwokdYl82hPbwN_o7XhfY4oo1nE1r-snPG9raaWWjB6pqQIibkzSopg_D2MemxHjIuHcZFCWcUDalI/s1600-h/Brambler3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R9JvIDrqvnMvX3SuHAiyKa_Mt3SYTcfcDn1K5EdQseAplwJZtZr6qXzwokdYl82hPbwN_o7XhfY4oo1nE1r-snPG9raaWWjB6pqQIibkzSopg_D2MemxHjIuHcZFCWcUDalI/s320/Brambler3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355125351945967362" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="postbody">For the past seven or so months I've mostly been knitting socks... plain old stockinette. Boring things not worth blogging about. My brain is too exhausted to deal with much outside of my daughters treatment and care. The plain knitting is soothing. However, my grandmother, Charlotte May, has her 80th birthday tomorrow. This is an occasion to commemorate.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJZ3lK_o0A1jK75LP0qwtcKVci4_VXo3thsJ_qTMCK2Ep41tb4k50adhj53hLLACHXhn38OUChYuYHT5Jjv7M7qcJq7prxVZTBqJGXP3Xc6xXGtLiOV0USAkdrab6B_O5T411/s1600-h/Brambler1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJZ3lK_o0A1jK75LP0qwtcKVci4_VXo3thsJ_qTMCK2Ep41tb4k50adhj53hLLACHXhn38OUChYuYHT5Jjv7M7qcJq7prxVZTBqJGXP3Xc6xXGtLiOV0USAkdrab6B_O5T411/s320/Brambler1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355125346469056914" border="0" /></a><span class="postbody"><br />This grandmother can sew, paint, knit, crochet, embroider... she can do anything. And it's always perfect. She's the little voice in my head when I'm working on a project and am tempted to leave a mistake. 'Grandma wouldn't do that... she'd start tisking me if she saw that.' And when I was a kid my mom left us at her house a lot... until the wee hours of the morning many times. My brothers would be put to bed in her bed while I was put on the couch behind her cutting board for sewing. She'd sit there in her rocking chair sewing, crocheting or knitting... watching late night news and then Johnny Carson... "patiently" waiting for my mom to come get us after whatever unsavory late night activities kept her out. What my mom was doing was not lovely and those were hard times. But I have been thinking about them a lot lately. I've been thinking about my Grandmother and how she sat there working with her hands while enduring hard times for much of her life. And that's what I've been doing... sitting and watching over my daughter who is named in part for her. Watching, waiting, enduring... working simple projects with my hands to soothe away the anxiety and fears... giving me SOMETHING I could do while I watch and wait. It is a gift I feel she passed down to me. Another thing that makes me think of her... my hands. I have her hands. So as I watch my own hands I can see hers.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-Yc3t39skNHLsoNOmk7kZm-Yf_fTrhYqE50j9xoqxfZDr1xaG_0MLbuYcUENWkjr-IHwGRnOGVycOigozm-M_hZk5P2YqKqy31b1GgTKgAQGKmGHmYXS6q7FLYTZQYhMOIii/s1600-h/Brambler2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-Yc3t39skNHLsoNOmk7kZm-Yf_fTrhYqE50j9xoqxfZDr1xaG_0MLbuYcUENWkjr-IHwGRnOGVycOigozm-M_hZk5P2YqKqy31b1GgTKgAQGKmGHmYXS6q7FLYTZQYhMOIii/s320/Brambler2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355125352649429410" border="0" /></a><span class="postbody"><br />I wanted to make her something special. Something that would stretch my skills. I decided upon a lace scarf. This was a definite challenge given that I am exhausted in every way possible and I've never knit lace! But I wanted to make that effort for her. Given the circumstances I am amazed I was able to accomplish this. As far as my exhausted self can tell... there are no mistakes. And that is exactly what I was striving for. She would not leave a mistake... and I wanted to make something flawless for her.<br /><br />So as life takes it's up's, down's and turns... I have this gift from her. And I hope this small gift will show her what a special gift she's given to me. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv625Kh9p3RXTDVpUEX1CM-WUJqxzKA7r0CbF5uqAHhC0-lJ4IYYSYVOjwYjGO-HOwmz8u-PMrPONwyuzW4QbBvUjNf4qdjIs87mzjXVPmTlGk82Mr9i0FGKFg_K1iGcaxCFez/s1600-h/VictorySocksModel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv625Kh9p3RXTDVpUEX1CM-WUJqxzKA7r0CbF5uqAHhC0-lJ4IYYSYVOjwYjGO-HOwmz8u-PMrPONwyuzW4QbBvUjNf4qdjIs87mzjXVPmTlGk82Mr9i0FGKFg_K1iGcaxCFez/s320/VictorySocksModel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355125356797010578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Miss E today wearing a new pair of those boring socks I mentioned... she loves them. </span></span><br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-43534607038263881872009-03-09T22:03:00.000-07:002009-03-09T22:07:04.013-07:00There is knitting in Leukemia Land<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6deCfY0HCa-AFnXjLJio0MF6biMba3U6tJrxmX4qcOBdRhakU03ANXe6b4JTR9c5BYf1PC5HukFncUnIYX3xqx3lebqXjdvxtII_bV96nmE_ZFqEfiCOKC5Ovl4OYaj-lCCs5/s1600-h/2009+CarolinaSocksEllieHelping.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6deCfY0HCa-AFnXjLJio0MF6biMba3U6tJrxmX4qcOBdRhakU03ANXe6b4JTR9c5BYf1PC5HukFncUnIYX3xqx3lebqXjdvxtII_bV96nmE_ZFqEfiCOKC5Ovl4OYaj-lCCs5/s320/2009+CarolinaSocksEllieHelping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311420368141173186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">My sweet girl helping me knit Grammy some birthday socks during yet another week in the hospital.</span> Knitting... goes everywhere!<br /><br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-7652360590114497292008-12-01T08:04:00.000-08:002008-12-08T22:23:55.859-08:00My Sweet Girl<div style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZM7_VLBEwTNek04_ykaca-k4js04fSmD1tBkzVK8CGGhx8PaCekA_H3cy6TXl-Jg52pfyn43qNqAa_KY-ABIsWpYHfcF5QAQXy1KCKxismeAg_u1pWuTEpmjGdHgPrVfldt6e/s1600-h/SillyGirl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274855233317110738" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZM7_VLBEwTNek04_ykaca-k4js04fSmD1tBkzVK8CGGhx8PaCekA_H3cy6TXl-Jg52pfyn43qNqAa_KY-ABIsWpYHfcF5QAQXy1KCKxismeAg_u1pWuTEpmjGdHgPrVfldt6e/s320/SillyGirl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I am very sad to to let you all know that there won't be much knitting here for a while. On Friday November 28 my 2 year old daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia. There are no words to express how we are feeling. If you would like to follow our journey we have set up a website for her at <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/elliemayjensen">Caringbridge</a>.<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /> </span><br /></div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span></span></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-22529508759522434372008-11-17T14:07:00.000-08:002008-11-17T14:18:02.174-08:00More Spinning!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_ued_OJD4DWq1GDEPKbmmWejDtd3o_9pqczFDiSOfzlUUpOmbpEePz7h4SgkqZ1BRbiPhtyCxSzL0pVZtjq6xzq0eXbwFlitFBmV6X0znakQbdbVFWvYuAl5irbieEq1MiD4/s1600-h/HydrangeaOnWheel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_ued_OJD4DWq1GDEPKbmmWejDtd3o_9pqczFDiSOfzlUUpOmbpEePz7h4SgkqZ1BRbiPhtyCxSzL0pVZtjq6xzq0eXbwFlitFBmV6X0znakQbdbVFWvYuAl5irbieEq1MiD4/s320/HydrangeaOnWheel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269751840972376530" border="0" /></a><br />I started up this fun fiber last night. I could not stop. It was so fun playing with the colors in the fiber! It's Pigeonroof Studios South African Fine in Hydrangea. It was a getting started gift from <a href="http://yarnophilia.com/blog/">Hattie</a>! Thanks Hattie! I sure wish you were here to play with me!<br /><br />This fiber was really squished into it's braid. So I've been playing with it, trying to figure out the best way to fluff it back out and pre-draft it a bit. Any tips? I'm really just making this all up as I go along. lol!<br /><br />And... here is the second 4oz of my "practice fiber". This one turned out really well. 328 yards/3.5oz, half an ounce was left on the second bobbin... guess I got a little more fine on that second bobbin. Oops! I am thrilled with my consistency for it being only my second skein!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8B_38BqU62HoxrgU3Xa7YsW2phB6PnV2hOk4_mSOnf2l6WfHhBkP-teqc5Va8ygPV8nqtRPi7ZZRRNzf5KY-9kmRDBT_cs3SZQGgFAO6ZaNA7GCUpfyOD4cdxN5cvkvS9DDN/s1600-h/SecondHandspun.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8B_38BqU62HoxrgU3Xa7YsW2phB6PnV2hOk4_mSOnf2l6WfHhBkP-teqc5Va8ygPV8nqtRPi7ZZRRNzf5KY-9kmRDBT_cs3SZQGgFAO6ZaNA7GCUpfyOD4cdxN5cvkvS9DDN/s320/SecondHandspun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269751846906960322" border="0" /></a><br />We've got a busy week ahead... Miss N is turning FIVE tomorrow! FIVE?! How did that happen?!<br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-68102564145366826652008-11-14T14:56:00.001-08:002008-11-14T15:10:16.182-08:00Enchanted<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUL4HMLeIVwz3o9eAea371z3DG2di75bDbCZ7wdjXRGXXan6oCLqv37I66RPzyW37ArPuImWqlrDi6WweTyRUTQgw9jQi-El82irg1EU63aoF8uYAKfl0td1joBkZr-7jOxOu/s1600-h/EnchantedLongies1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUL4HMLeIVwz3o9eAea371z3DG2di75bDbCZ7wdjXRGXXan6oCLqv37I66RPzyW37ArPuImWqlrDi6WweTyRUTQgw9jQi-El82irg1EU63aoF8uYAKfl0td1joBkZr-7jOxOu/s320/EnchantedLongies1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268651160613392754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd57U8SQFU45Th3ExbdFKSxoXi-MVNDquNhV2_UBc132_cT-yQL0VksOrrY9NHSH5R3CLRReExAzeCq5omc1eYgLrQu5Ijc8zCwD7FxFaIRU0cfVSAXsBislRFI_tr8i5_fCZm/s1600-h/EnchantedLongies5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd57U8SQFU45Th3ExbdFKSxoXi-MVNDquNhV2_UBc132_cT-yQL0VksOrrY9NHSH5R3CLRReExAzeCq5omc1eYgLrQu5Ijc8zCwD7FxFaIRU0cfVSAXsBislRFI_tr8i5_fCZm/s320/EnchantedLongies5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268651171988342082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjee0LtHs35DU8pJ13ne605YaVKxoT3K56riSpSPsQW1PcaWAaCVFbdwqLp5lPtHSY7unmWO7KuEIBkePDWr-Ln534n1seHkBpozDOziFAjZ5-eIgoYvPDoQJpHunva3JFM4iWm/s1600-h/EnchantedLongies3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjee0LtHs35DU8pJ13ne605YaVKxoT3K56riSpSPsQW1PcaWAaCVFbdwqLp5lPtHSY7unmWO7KuEIBkePDWr-Ln534n1seHkBpozDOziFAjZ5-eIgoYvPDoQJpHunva3JFM4iWm/s320/EnchantedLongies3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268651165938961810" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJT8FeNPG5Ubyv9LCSXzwjmZlMpumSOcyb4UVTZUDzU3pdVZS8nA9mc-xTjfRJwhlAs8hNDKcLieCkBBxBXiFMbpaSRDhbnuuRg_e3zMMBgOJIAwhhXK_xRAUdL9iCNJdYEZS/s1600-h/EnchantedLongies2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJT8FeNPG5Ubyv9LCSXzwjmZlMpumSOcyb4UVTZUDzU3pdVZS8nA9mc-xTjfRJwhlAs8hNDKcLieCkBBxBXiFMbpaSRDhbnuuRg_e3zMMBgOJIAwhhXK_xRAUdL9iCNJdYEZS/s320/EnchantedLongies2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268651162208891714" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=107412">Radiant Twist</a>, Fluff, Enchanted<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: Itchy Fingers Longies<br /><br />I think it's safe to say I've been "enchanted" of late. First off... these lovely longies knit up cooperating with me every step of the way. No worries about strange color streaks or pooling. Nope, they just knit up lovely. And... they are a perfect fit.<br /><br />And then...<span style="font-style: italic;"> the wheel! </span><br /><br />I am in LOVE with my new Pioneer. It's just lovely. It's the perfect size to fit into my little corner of the living room. It spins like a dream. I love the engineering of it. That probably sounds weird, but I am an architect... if things aren't designed well it bugs the snot out of me!<br /><br />Here are my first 4oz of fiber... it was on clearance so I got it for something like $5 a pound. The perfect price for your first few spins! I ended up with 110 yards of bulky weight. It's got some serious over spinning issues on at least one of the singles. But I've quickly gotten past that issue... I think.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZbp2oElavgIWlJB_4uhQOOH0-9Si5D7LvD6VkrKMs9OnfJ8LurceYoGsp3dM1gKxWYvtrE6TJGwJGDaofMrJfxvWQvk0LlDugkterVcnuB1nNK7NK_JxGbmrSappESSjZyld/s1600-h/FirstHandspun.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZbp2oElavgIWlJB_4uhQOOH0-9Si5D7LvD6VkrKMs9OnfJ8LurceYoGsp3dM1gKxWYvtrE6TJGwJGDaofMrJfxvWQvk0LlDugkterVcnuB1nNK7NK_JxGbmrSappESSjZyld/s320/FirstHandspun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268651283212227890" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And here are the singles for the second 4oz. They are much more even and thinner. We'll see how they ply up. I have a feeling some parts may be under spun. And I really need to be better about moving my guide to get the yarn on the bobbin evenly. On the standing up bobbin I was really forgetful and it shows!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqERnvetCnVggjc_g7n_tEfiyNJsoFxohuJea5cjwowbShM7z48yHU85P6yGQyD8VmBo6HDNmsa2uGmCFV1AvCkD7eu2FtYmdigUwENJ710lXIEX3NcV05njrtSTWRcNpdwyEQ/s1600-h/SecondHandspunSingles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqERnvetCnVggjc_g7n_tEfiyNJsoFxohuJea5cjwowbShM7z48yHU85P6yGQyD8VmBo6HDNmsa2uGmCFV1AvCkD7eu2FtYmdigUwENJ710lXIEX3NcV05njrtSTWRcNpdwyEQ/s320/SecondHandspunSingles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268651288005559970" border="0" /></a><br />I've also been battling a nasty cold. Isn't it a little early in the year for such nastiness to be going around?! Yuck. So there hasn't been much progress on anything around here for the last week. A little knitting, a little spinning, a little reading and lots of lying about. Hopefully I can get well so that I can really get going with the new wheel!<br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-28779681226006571432008-11-03T08:58:00.001-08:002008-11-03T09:06:46.051-08:00I just bought my first wheel!<span class="postbody">I've been shopping... and saving up... but really I didn't mean to go so fast! For a while I've been reading up... getting to know them and their reputations etc... All weekend I was engrossed (driving my Hub crazy), on Saturday I tried out several at <a href="http://www.paradisefibers.net/">Paradise Fibers</a> and got a feel for what I like...<br /><br />Then yesterday I was reading the thread on the new Pioneer in the Majacraft group on Ravelry... well someone linked to a store in Oregon that had a USED Pioneer for only $375!!! I called just now and I guess the "owner" won it in a contest, gave it a test and then decided "Nah... I've got 5 other wheels, I don't want it." How lucky is that?! I can't believe it! The wheel was only released in September... finding a used one is just SO lucky! <br />I'm a little nervous since I haven't tried the Majacrafts but... I haven't read one person not liking them, so I went for it. I should have tried <a href="http://yarnophilia.com/blog/">Hattie's</a> Little Gem before she left us! It's just such a great deal. I'm sure if I totally hate it I could sell it in a heartbeat. She said if she can sweet talk them it'll ship today, if not tomorrow. YAY! It's coming from <a href="http://www.woolworks.com/pages/about.php" target="_blank" class="postlink">Woodland Woolworks</a> in the Portland, OR area so it should be here pretty fast!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.muntustitches.com/2008/10/12/majacraft-pioneer-wheel-review/" target="_blank" class="postlink">HERE</a> is a nice thorough review of the wheel with pic's in case you're interested. </span><br /><br />EEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />I'm a little excited. I guess I need some fiber now...Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-28222410974013648492008-10-31T14:36:00.001-07:002008-10-31T14:56:16.659-07:00Fall Knits<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjau4GxUpJV9DVO5b5IhgS1Gn6vXwUBO0A1aIj9ABFmqv-i7yD9-sThoOmdhTcmhSufeuIs4tIinDQEWkTexfQavjrdzbRiMpLtSTGMMxdc2yPre3UxfQtVdLJ07AUBGymqJ5Jxzg/s1600-h/MochaVesper1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjau4GxUpJV9DVO5b5IhgS1Gn6vXwUBO0A1aIj9ABFmqv-i7yD9-sThoOmdhTcmhSufeuIs4tIinDQEWkTexfQavjrdzbRiMpLtSTGMMxdc2yPre3UxfQtVdLJ07AUBGymqJ5Jxzg/s320/MochaVesper1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263435867555332898" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know about you, but I've got myself a backyard FULL of leaves. My kids are loving it... they jump into the leaf pile as if it were a swimming pool!<br /><br />Since finishing the set for the auction I've finished off a couple things for myself. First up... the socks I've been toting about for the last month. My official 'Socktoberfest' socks.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY7MnjVd0TtwNfQuxDbCJFN7-5BJhLlzqYa-PwiwraeZxMaOc4wbtOolg4ahl4OxA8qln9IYrRmAt0Y3pA869OhBZacXzdu7gYB_JcpTB5_cRMRjx7yxA-N1iNa_FkkAimxLU/s1600-h/MochaVesper3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY7MnjVd0TtwNfQuxDbCJFN7-5BJhLlzqYa-PwiwraeZxMaOc4wbtOolg4ahl4OxA8qln9IYrRmAt0Y3pA869OhBZacXzdu7gYB_JcpTB5_cRMRjx7yxA-N1iNa_FkkAimxLU/s320/MochaVesper3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263435883952705474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7R4_X5Yeplinu9L5cUNG12G3YV3rzF4jWRqUe7DHuot4jto3vwRSQnsd7_FKA9dQ-AfdjKoYX7Hp9Sxj-0TGeEdjm6qZfP1boVsuhyphenhyphenx36s3tnuaXT_rsWq9VaghIO-HxNYbMww/s1600-h/MochaVesper2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7R4_X5Yeplinu9L5cUNG12G3YV3rzF4jWRqUe7DHuot4jto3vwRSQnsd7_FKA9dQ-AfdjKoYX7Hp9Sxj-0TGeEdjm6qZfP1boVsuhyphenhyphenx36s3tnuaXT_rsWq9VaghIO-HxNYbMww/s320/MochaVesper2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263435875820411154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ltF9PtCzJXMu7l1-13NRsuFftkoAG0ws3vQRzOwsIn6Om2JDF-NQk5fhFj3Egba-5XqfLqy-ET45ISB9mIvo0vBFpJ8eYZSX7P12Y9cf4IllABCp0-jZho6DEd6tyMsd3FWE/s1600-h/MochaVesper4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ltF9PtCzJXMu7l1-13NRsuFftkoAG0ws3vQRzOwsIn6Om2JDF-NQk5fhFj3Egba-5XqfLqy-ET45ISB9mIvo0vBFpJ8eYZSX7P12Y9cf4IllABCp0-jZho6DEd6tyMsd3FWE/s320/MochaVesper4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263435892835735538" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Vesper 100% Merino, Mocha<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: Plain Janes<br /><br />Now, if you have a good memory you might remember me <a href="http://artistjess.blogspot.com/2007/08/stripey-socks.html">not loving this yarn once before</a>. Since then she's started dying on a new base yarn and it is quite lovely. The nylon blend base I will still avoid, but this lovely 100% merino. Yum. I couldn't quite get the stripes to end the same. I have a feeling it's because I knit most of the second foot while we were at the hospital for Miss N's eye surgery earlier this week. I just <span style="font-style: italic;">may</span> have been feeling a little extra tension. However, the patient and the socks both came out looking great. And, now Miss N and I both have<a href="http://artistjess.blogspot.com/2008/09/miss-ns-stripey-socks.html"> stripey frizzle socks</a>.<br /><br />With fall being all around me, this yarn called me from the stash. It's the yarn <a href="http://artistjess.blogspot.com/2008/02/one-more-reason-to-love-my-hub.html">Hub picked up</a> for me at Knitty Gritty Yarn down in the Tri-Cities. I was not sure what I was going to do with it as it was only 50g, but fall inspired me to knit up a thin scarf. More of a pretty acessory than something to keep warm. But really perfect for fall.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7h5PIqJhUVJW188neKJvDiQ_qxKmgXmuwUZh-FnoSUigKKtNasPYPv5OzmKx13pMqYsbRabAcsH1Q0hQZlcIxL73ajHHq6yjEWStZlE8aelXVmJ8MsVEAyuAZm51VcSocp5oI/s1600-h/ManosSilkDropStitchScarf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7h5PIqJhUVJW188neKJvDiQ_qxKmgXmuwUZh-FnoSUigKKtNasPYPv5OzmKx13pMqYsbRabAcsH1Q0hQZlcIxL73ajHHq6yjEWStZlE8aelXVmJ8MsVEAyuAZm51VcSocp5oI/s320/ManosSilkDropStitchScarf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263435901408805154" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Manos del Uruguay, Manos Silk Blend, only 50g!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/drop-stitch-scarf-2">Drop Stitch Scarf</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Don't forget to check out the fundraiser, <a href="http://hyenacart.com/tinyladycooperative/">Celebrating Colleen</a> goes until Tuesday!<br /></div></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32105700.post-48489480983097289412008-10-25T12:57:00.000-07:002008-10-25T13:07:34.085-07:00Choclate and Cream Set for Colleen<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudIHeFujbykgF9KMoSM6do9hsMCPRn8UODITW0Z6gMp4AI-8MqsM9bRZo-FaeBkaNH4QuoT9CPUNOPZir6vE8Z00rUCr2TQpFScF9_lsdZjb2eTWOMkLOfERpSgBYDN7SqMRx/s1600-h/ChocolateAndCreamSet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudIHeFujbykgF9KMoSM6do9hsMCPRn8UODITW0Z6gMp4AI-8MqsM9bRZo-FaeBkaNH4QuoT9CPUNOPZir6vE8Z00rUCr2TQpFScF9_lsdZjb2eTWOMkLOfERpSgBYDN7SqMRx/s320/ChocolateAndCreamSet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261183401116462258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aICLILlFsMQY-1NOgI8Yz6wdbKXQCAEYxfgobHXxLgzAh8xqa8GvnY3qM4kl1LWtcgq2Dhg3UhtTve-3_ed4VHXrCigiHsc71EUKy3wdPcWXciyU9PBfdhfvBlT_m1lAMrlU/s1600-h/ChocolateAndCreamKimonoSweater.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aICLILlFsMQY-1NOgI8Yz6wdbKXQCAEYxfgobHXxLgzAh8xqa8GvnY3qM4kl1LWtcgq2Dhg3UhtTve-3_ed4VHXrCigiHsc71EUKy3wdPcWXciyU9PBfdhfvBlT_m1lAMrlU/s320/ChocolateAndCreamKimonoSweater.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261183405322414338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiendwDVdDFR1H91OrPqPoBzh6zpbyeNqCdk6y839BTWUQcQp5b9I5yJl45hWJmalQUY9vDC2p-tnCZKStl8IAIpVfcjggRm0yPJVoWBzTpX9XNt8JWAKP9Aho_WIdxsgTCGcdV/s1600-h/ChocolateAndCreamKimonoSweaterDetail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiendwDVdDFR1H91OrPqPoBzh6zpbyeNqCdk6y839BTWUQcQp5b9I5yJl45hWJmalQUY9vDC2p-tnCZKStl8IAIpVfcjggRm0yPJVoWBzTpX9XNt8JWAKP9Aho_WIdxsgTCGcdV/s320/ChocolateAndCreamKimonoSweaterDetail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261183410768846690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZe8oSTCsqVe957KGjdu0nM-iBIwvsT-OUH9bcnUSIQnJcKg8gqPzlWyFl2gNv5vbjyjOgsGT8pgcNEA0tW5qT6DnDeiYkFMWeLqq2dT6w6GpLJNRDusfZZCli2W_JQ6mi-30x/s1600-h/ChocolateAndCreamLongies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZe8oSTCsqVe957KGjdu0nM-iBIwvsT-OUH9bcnUSIQnJcKg8gqPzlWyFl2gNv5vbjyjOgsGT8pgcNEA0tW5qT6DnDeiYkFMWeLqq2dT6w6GpLJNRDusfZZCli2W_JQ6mi-30x/s320/ChocolateAndCreamLongies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261183407747898450" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Patterns:</span> <a href="http://www.sweetmamasmallsugar.com/">Seamless Infant Kimono</a>, Itchy Fingers Longies<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: <a href="http://www.100purewool.com/servlet/StoreFront">100purewool</a>, 3 ply merino, chocolate & creama<br /><br />I'm having trouble doing the usual oohing and ahhing over these items. They are lovely. They are <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> soft and yummy. But for me, they signify that something tragic has happened. A wife was lost, a mother was lost, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, and a friend... lost. It seems so insufficient to show how much she was worth on this earth. She was such a unique fun and caring friend. She posessed such a lightness of spirit. She was so <span style="font-style: italic;">silly</span> and fun. I miss her. And I know her family misses her more than I can even imagine. <br /><br />So go, visit the fundriaser at <a href="http://hyenacart.com/tinyladycooperative/">Tiny Lady Cooperative</a>. All funds will go towards her childrens college fund. She wanted us to look out for their future for her. Go, buy, bid and bid often! It all oficially starts on <span style="font-style: italic;">Tuesday October 28th</span> and will run until <span style="font-style: italic;">November 4th</span>. There is something for everyone!<br /><br /></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585716587480322446noreply@blogger.com1