Needles Take 3

Ok, where to begin. Wanting a break from crocheting edges and joining squares to make afghans for Bridge and Beyond, thought I'd start a knitting ghan. Started this Feather and Fan Design on a pair of Addy Turbo's, and even though we all know those to be excellent needles I was having trouble with the k2tog (knit 2 together), with tightness. I never thought I knitted tight and thought perhaps it was the combination of the Caron Wintuk (grey section), and the very blunt needle (the turbo's). And it was curling so badly I was having a hard time getting the yarn to move properly. Switched to my Denise Interchangeable s (a better point to pick up the k2tog'ers, and by connecting 2 nice long cords was able to get it to be less curly..easier to work with). It wasn't good, but it was better. I still have trouble getting the yarn to move, as the acrylic in Caron Wintuk and the Denise seemed to grab at each other........then after multiple long rows (250+ cast on stitches), the Denise's came apart...and naturally the yarn moved nicely off then!

Switched to new needles, got the length I need (60 inches) to spread things out and do less tugging and pushing the stitches along, and low and behold the knitting tension seemed to improve, as did the movement of the yarn/stitches. And using lace needles with a better point, was the combination I needed. The k2tog are a huge improvement.

While not totally stretched out, as it would go off the needles, it's enough you can actually see the pattern, the yarn, and the colors better then previously posted pictures. Solving the color of what comes next as I go. Posted about that problem, see previous post for YOP post on Sunday.
Here's a close up of the 3 colors thus far with the 4th skein at the ready. I'm probably going to have each section a different width, as I have only 6 of the multi-tweedy skeins and you can see it doesn't go far based on what's already showing, which was 1 skein. Probably going to start looking through the blue stash and hope to find something that works. If not, will move onto the brown stash (though the blue is larger).

AND, the new needles. Chiao Goo, notice how much lower in price they are then the Addy Turbo's!

My plan is to finish the current tan-ish section, add the next tweedy section, find something in my stash to make the next section; then move back to crocheting edges and joining some donated squares for Bridge and Beyond. Plan to go back and forth between this ghan and the crocheted ones.

Still contemplating a name for this afghan, sing out if you have thoughts. All I've come up with so far is Earthy Feathers, which I'm not really sold on...not knowing all the colors that will be involved yet.

Work in Progress Wed badges and links in side bar. Have fun and join us.

Moving on to Plan B

Plan A, was to use the 6 donated skeins of tweeds with the medium grey yarn I had in my stash in stripes. Apparently my memory failed me here. I thought I had 5 or 6 skeins of this grey...I don't. I only had 2. Must have used them previously and forgot. Had this yarn a really long time, plus don't believe the Caron Wintuk is even made any longer. Soooooooooo, I have plenty of the light grey, but....it's not really the right shade to pull it off solo...is it? I could use it with stripes and end, as I began with the darker grey? Or I could really go strippy (leaning this direction currently); with other colors that pick up on some of the colors in the tweeds. 2nd problem is.....the Caron Wintuk felt a bit heavier to me then regular WW, even though that's how it's labeled, and the 6 skeins of tweedy yarn is labeled chunky. Soooooooooo, now the yarn I'm thinking of pulling in will be a variety of types/weights and welllllllllllllll, hope it all comes together.

I think I need to go hunting through my 2 large bags of blue stash to see if I have a shade or two that works, lots of blue in the tweeds-- and blue and grey always go together in my book. So this afghan in the works has just gone from a planned out ghan to a let's see what happens as it progresses. I will be adjusting as I go. Each time I knit a section of the feather and fan afghan, I'll decide what comes next based on how it looks. With all the colors in the tweedy yarn I think I'm going to need to see it to decide.

AND, I have officially changed my year of projects list in the tab to take off learn to knit socks, and removed Candy Corn Ghan. I've added 2 afghans to assemble for Bridge and Beyond, and this Feather and Fan...which needs a name. Unsure at this point if this one will be donated to Bridge and Beyond or be an item to be auctioned off where the money would then be donated to a shelter. Will decide when I see how it turns out.

On Friday, I finished another cotton washcloth, that wasn't on the list. You can see it if you scroll back to previous post.

YOP badge and link in sidebar, list above in tab, and am contemplating next years list.

Enjoy your long weekend all, but do take time to give thanks to those brave men and women who serve in our military, past and present.

Just Casted Off

Wow, almost wasn't going to make it today for Finished Object Friday. Late in the day to get this post up, but I literally just cast off this cotton washcloth. Been busy outside mowing, and watering and running errands. Nothing special just basic ribbing 3 x 3 with 4 rows at the start and finish with garter stitch and 4 garter stitches at the beginning and end of each row. It's still pulls in though. Though this was a big enough rib that wouldn't be a problem. Going to wet it down and see if cotton blocks? Love this color.

This is the 2nd cotton cloth from this colorway, and now it's gone. Posted last Friday about the first one. It makes it seem I've not been doing much knitting and crocheting; but I have been...just not getting anything done. Partially because other items are large items, and there's been some dreaded negative knitting going on.

FOF Badges and links in sidebar.

Gray and Tweed Feather and Fan

Not much of a work in progress, I grant you....but a start. Actually there's more on the needles then it appears since it's all curling up. I may need to purchase a longer needle. Think this is a 34? Oophs, just looked it says it's a 40, but I don't think it measured that when I was checking it the other day. Expected things not to be so gathered on the needles. It's a ChiaoGoo lace needle size 9. Knitted worsted weight on the needles with sorta almost a chunky in the various variegated you see. The variegated is Sirdar tweed effect chunky. It's not as chunky as some, and the gray is a Caron Wintuk...heavier then most worsted weight...so they seem almost the same. The Sirdar is a blend, but is machine washable like the gray. These skein only have just over 80 yards, and each one is a different tweed; but they all blend nicely with this shade of gray. The Sirdar Tweeds were donated, so am hopeful this with my gray will make a nice afghan.
Making a Feather and Fan Afghan to donate to ,my charity blog, Bridge and Beyond for The Homeless Families Foundation. The families are given an afghan in their welcome pack when they move from the various shelters to permanent housing. Wanted to show you a close up of my cute little lambs...gifted stitch markers. Aren't they cute!

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Today is Sunday

Today is Sunday, you know what that means?
We're gonna have a quest today,
Sweep out the cobwebs
So the welcome can be seen.

Actually believe it was Tuesday, quest star day I'm thinking about, and am remembering bits of pieces of the song The Mouseketeers used to sing. The "real" Mouseketters that is. And give out a hip ho ray, and wiggle your ears, like good mouseketeers cause Tuesday is Quest Star Day. Anyone else as old as dirt, like me and remember it? The did a dance with brooms in hand and some part of it was opening and closing doors...I hear the music and see it happening on the old black and white bubble t.v....in my mind saying...sing songy Today is Sunday and this silly old thing popped into my head. lol

It's Sunday and what that really means is, time to update the Year of Projects listing and do some blog visiting. It's been a very hectic week, so very little knitting has been done. I did manage to finish another cotton washcloth (posted it on FOF, scroll back 1 post to view it). I started a 2nd one with the left over cotton (forgot I wanted to weigh what I had left to determine if I had enough), eye balling the cloth and what I have left, I think I need to add another color in the middle and maybe have enough of the cotton to end with. Gonna play through. This isn't on my list, in fact the last several projects haven't been.

So, I'm making a change to my list...I'm deleting learning to make socks from my goals list. Truth is...I'm simply not going to do it, others things need my attention. I do think I'll slid it on to next years list though. AND, the longest work in project ever......Candy Corn Ghan, might meet the same fate. I'm just feeling the love. However, for the time being am leaving it in limbo, in that I'm not yet removing it from the list. Officially that would be the last specific item on my list; but...the afghans I assemble for Bridge and Beyond is continuous so that really never gets done.

I'm having some indecision, jump in please and thanks with your opinions. I have lots of yarn, there is no good reason to buy more, so try always to use the yarn on hand when I assemble. In the thinking stage is on above ghans. First one I'm calling Sand Box, the 2nd one Retro. I have lots of this yarn.
I have a bit less then in the picture, as some was given away in the last contest on Bridge and Beyond; but certainly enough to edge and join either, perhaps even both. Does it work? I don't want to purchase dark brown or turquoise and don't have enough to do retro...and can't quite decide if it would work better on Sand Box?

Happy Sunday, Year of Projects tab has full list. Badge and url in right sidebar. Am beginning to formulate next years, as this year officially ends June 30th.

Ever had problems with your identity being stolen? This could be for you

Thank Goodness it's Friday

A true TGIF! LONG day yesterday at work 10.0 hours, hot and very tiring day. Walked 17,768 steps at work yesterday. Was on my feet that whole time..with the exception of maybe two 10 minute breaks. 6.737 miles. Once I made it home, elevated my legs, iced my swollen knee and poured a substantial glass of wine-and had dinner of frozen pizza...I was able to finish the sea shore cotton washcloth. I'm pleased with how well the self stripping shows up with the simple stitch. Straight stockinette stitch, with 3 garter stitches at the beginning and ending of the rows. Did 8 rows of straight garter at the beginning and end for the border. Measures almost 8 inches. I've always loved blues and greens together and might need to find more of this particular color blend.

I've never made a cotton throw, as wool or acrylic is needed during the cold months here; but was thinking a cotton throw for summer might be nice...maybe that's because right now we're having cool temperatures again..who knows. My list of things to make is really to large to think about making a cotton throw, I just really like the look.

Happy Friday one and all. I'm off to work for another day like yesterday. Sure not looking forward to it, though it will be a bit shorter then yesterday so that's a help.

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The Sea Shore

When I was young I had a book that had been my Dad's favorite as a child, Robert Louis Stevenson's A Child's Garden of Verses. I loved the rhythm of that poetry; though many today feel poetry that rhythms isn't as "cool" or as "brainy" as say a Haiku....but I confess I still enjoy the rhythm of his poems. It was an old book, and I memorizes several of his poems. Then because I liked it, bought a newer book when my Darling Daughter was young. She too seemed to like the rhythm created when I read aloud to her over and over and over. She memorized some of those poems also.

I've started this simple cotton washcloth multiple times, not liking the first pattern, royally having issues with the 2nd pattern...apparently I can't count well, when talking, watching tv, and sipping wine..........go figure.

So, switched gears...and I'm loving how much more I see the colors in this cotton with this simplier pattern.

This isn't the only thing I'm working on, but the only thing I managed to take a photo of.

What are you all working on for this Wednesday's Work in Progress? Badges and links in side bars, please join us.

It reminds me of the ocean; the sea. And that got me remembering
At The Sea Side by Robert Louis Stevenson

When I was down beside the sea
A wooden spade they gave to me
To dig the sandy shore.
My holes were empty like a cup.
In every hole the sea came up,
Till it could come no more.

Mothers Day

Thank You Darling Daughter! This Mothers Day Edible Fruit Arrangement came early yesterday morning. Had some yummy fruit with my morning coffee. Likewise again this morning. Miss you and wish we weren't so far away; but am looking forward to our upcoming vacation in Park City so we can spend some time enjoying each others company. My Blue Lace is finished! Finished it last night, and it's almost cool enough to want to wear it today on my day, Mother's Day. This is my first true lace, in that it's not worsted weight yarn and it involved more then some of my attempts leading up to this. I had some trouble with the K2tog, until someone on Ravelry suggested pulling down a bit or up with the needle before inserting the needle. Nice tip! I changed needles a couple of times previously trying to make the K2tog's work easier. This was knit on size 8, using 1 skein of 215 yards of Berroco Ultra Alpaca (50% and 50% Laine Wool) from Peru. Fabulous yarn. It's 3 ply, hand washable. I usually don't bother with blocking a scarf, but perhaps I should to see the design a bit more? It's a Feather and Fan pattern, which I think would make a wonderful afghan.

This photo is my attempt at being a bit more artsy...didn't work too well, in that the blue looks a bit washed out to me. As I was finishing this up last night, was thinking about My Mother who's been gone now for 3 Mother's Day's. She's the one who taught me to know, back in the day. I made a little scarf, head scarf that she crocheted an edge and ties on. It was very rudimentary, but I was so proud of it. All these years later, the gift she gave me is still making me happy. It's an awesome gift and memory Mom, I Love and Miss you. (memories of MOM)

***This blue feather and fan is one more completed item on my year of projects list, badge and link in sidebar. For full list, please see YOP Tab

Flipping out, It's Friday

Flipping out realizing I've missed a few Friday's and some WIPW, where does the time go. Just finished this scarf last night. Nothing fancy, but warm, soft, and large enough to keep someone warm. This Lion Brand Homespun garter stitch scarf is a one skein scarf, courtesy of donated yarn on Bridge and Beyond. I love this blue it looks like the ocean to me...changing slightly as you go. This is the 2nd scarf I've knitted and donated from this donated yarn.

I blogged about the first scarf during the week long challenge when it was finished, molded to look like a dog talking....HERE. It too was donated, in fact this one was already delivered.

And I had fun finishing my Martini Cotton Washcloth. That's right I said Martini, and I said mine. I staged it, also for the week long blog challenge. Take a look HERE, please and thanks.

Looking forward to getting back in the swing of things as I start visiting you all to see what you've been working on. Need to mow today, then I think it's time to perhaps start working on another afghan. You all probably wondered about that. Figured a few scarves and cotton cloths would be a nice break from the larger more tedious work of putting together afghans.

Anyone use bloglovin? I just joined it yesterday. I've not yet added this blog; but think I will...added Traveling Suitcase just yesterday. With summer travel's coming up, you might want to have a look, I've been blogging up a storm over there. Even added a series that's called Menu Monday with reviews and recommendations for places to eat when you travel.

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Pay it Forward - Surprise!

Spotted this post yesterday while making my blog rounds for (WIPW) work in progress Wednesday, and liked the idea. So, left my comment on Clean Cup, Move Down, indicating I would be posting and continuing the Pay it Forward, Random Act of Kindness....whatever we want to call this.

The rules are as follows:

• I will send a surprise gift to the first three commenters on this post. The gift will be handmade by me. It will be sent sometime in the next 365 days. It will be a surprise. We all love getting surprises in the mail, right?
• To sign up and receive a gift, you must play along, too. Pay it Forward on your blog, by promising to make a surprise for the first three people who comment on the post.
• You must have a blog (that is updated, as I will blog stalk you to find the right gift for you).
• After commenting here, you must repost this or something similar to your blog in 48 hours. If not, I will choose the next person who comments.

It's a beautiful day here today in Central Ohio, the sun's out, the windows are open (what a change), and the birds are chirping. On tap this weekend is mowing, girls night out and watching a cooking demonstration, drinking wine, a mini class reunion. Should be lots of laughs involved. Hoping to throw some knitting time in there, and maybe a bike ride.
Enjoy, the rose is from my Dad's yard. A Rosa Rugosa, old time rose that smells heavenly. Mom always loved it and when it blooms, it makes Daddy smile.

Projects Projects

Been working on these lovely feather and fan blue lace scarf. As you can see it's grown about 8 inches since last I showed it to you. I love this color of blue and DK weight yarn is awesome. I don't have much left as you can see. So, stopped working on it since I was away from home. Wanted to measure it and see how far this might take me, then decide whether or not I'm going to need a 2nd skein. Looks like I will.
And, since my last WIPW post (2 wks ago), I've started this scarf...the 2nd one actually. Will show you the completed one on Friday. Straight garter stitch with Homespun, always a hit. This is for Bridge and Beyond and is being from yarn donated to me. Worked on while out of town, and the flight...perfect no count type of project.

My other work in progress is an additional Blog, Flat Stanley and Friends. Takes some time, as you probably know to select a theme, move things around, write some posts and begin getting visitors, followers, people to comment etc. Inviting you all to please have a look, leave a comment let me know you were there. This blog is to help parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, baby sitters and Kids look at their spare time differently. To see learning possibilities, even if small in life around them or far away. I'm posting Flat Stanley Adventures with ideas of things to do with the kids with a similar experience in your area. I'm inviting everyone, KIDS included to get involved. On Saturdays each week, I'ld like to post your adventures. I know almost everyone has been involved helping a neighbor, a student, a family member with a Flat Stanley project of some sort. Sometimes they're writing assignments, sometimes history can play a part, sometimes art, geography and well...really there is no limited. Kids can color their Flat Stanley or use one of mine and get involved in something. Send me your Flat Stanley adventures--be they old ones or news ones that you create and I'll post them every Sat. Saturday will be Flat Stanley Sharing Saturdays. Naturally kids complete names will left out for protection., unless you don't see a problem with it. Kids I'm sure would love to see their story, their picture, their adventure posted on the internet.

**Badges and links for WIPW in left side-bar, join us. AND Flat Stanley's Badge and link in upper right sidebar....please join us.**