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.

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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.

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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