miss woolly knits...

3am...

2009-07-17T02:00:00.005-07:00

All the sneezing and coughing and nose-blowing must have cleared the cobwebs from my fuzzy brain because my first ‘feel better’ project was Smariek's 3AM Cable Hat…

A friend found some red yarn for me at the local thrift shop and I just knew it had to be a hat. It’s mostly wool with a bit of nylon and very light, almost a sock yarn weight, just right for showing off cables…

This is my second 3AM cable hat. I knit one last year and had some difficulty following the pattern but this time it clicked. Cables are so magical, don’t you think? You knit 7 identical rows, dumdeedum…and then on the 8th row you twist a few stitches in a different arrangement and suddenly you have a cable…pure magic….

I followed the instructions for the DK weight size, except I cast on 96 sts. for the ribbing (on 4mms) and knit 3 full inches, then I added 12 sts. evenly spaced for the main body of the hat – total 108 sts. I made the ribbing tighter so it would give a better fit and not stretch out. I knit 5 full repeats (total 40 rows) plus the 18 rows of decrease. It fits my ginormous 23” head just fine and would fit a smaller head even better (excuse my sleepy sick-face)…

I can’t get enough of my 3am hat. I’m still amazed I was able to finish it without any mistakes. I love the colour and the fit and the feel of the wool and I just know someone at the shelter is going to love this hat as much as I do. I hope it gives them a warm hug and brings a smile to their face…

More peanuts please…

Deep blue…

Now I'm exhausted, so I’ll wish you a peaceful week, dear reader, and hope to see you next Friday. Take care.

”Learn to... be what you are, and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not.”
~Henri Frederic Amiel

Out of focus

2009-07-10T02:00:00.006-07:00

Why does a summer cold seem to hit even harder than a winter version? I’m under the weather and under my comforter and my eyes are blurry from the sneezing and coughing and fever and there has been no knitting and no hot chocolate, but I can at least show you a few pictures of life in our garden this past week...

I felt a twinge of knitting fever yesterday even though I was too weak to play with yarn and needles, so I am slowly healing. I'll wish you a peaceful week, dear reader, and hope to see you next Friday. Stay well.

"The appearance of a disease is swift as an arrow; its disappearance slow, like a thread."
~ Chinese Proverb

Second Time Around...

2009-07-03T02:00:00.011-07:00

This colourful cloth is having a second life…

I received the original cloth in a swap several years ago and I had used it to bits. It was starting to look very ragged, but the colours are so cheery and the cloth had done such good work for me, I couldn’t throw it away.

I unravelled the cloth, stitch by stitch, then threw it on my 4.2mm needles (US6) and knit up a small Basket Rib Dishcloth with the remaining yarn (approx. 45 yards / 41 metres)…

If you decide to try this, you might discover your much-loved cotton is a tad stringy and not as soft and fluffy as the original, plus the stitches tend to stick together tightly, so it will take a bit of patience to pull them apart.

I knit another new-to-me pattern from the Knit Dishcloth Corner. This delightful design is No. 17 – Chandelles/Candles…

It’s in the intermediate range on the site but I found it very easy (and if I find it easy, anyone can make it). I had to stop my cloth a few rows before the finish as I ran out of yarn; I had approx. 54 yards / 50 metres, so plan for more if you want to complete the pattern...

The hosta buds are opening…

This is hydrangea row at the start of the blue season…

A contented visitor…

I was browsing through my kitchen cloth basket and I found a few more cloths that need a new life, so I have some recycling to keep me out of mischief for awhile. I’ll wish you a peaceful week, dear reader, and hope to see you next Friday.

"There is always music amongst the trees in the garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it."
~ Minnie Aumonier

Crochet Candy...

2009-06-26T02:00:00.002-07:00

I crocheted my third Tulip Stitch Cloth...

I'm still very much a novice crocheter and my gauge is loose and wobbly but I do enjoy every moment when I'm working on this design.

I also finished my Unscrunchable Scarf in Patons Canadiana, Light Wedgewood Blue…

I’ll admit I hesitated before putting this particular scarf in the box for the homeless shelter because I really really like the colour but decided it was the right thing to do. I’ll make one for me soon…

Our garden is complete when the hydrangea blossoms arrive...

This is Alfred the avocado…

he’s nesting in a glass on my kitchen window, with a lovely view of the yard; hopefully this peaceful environment will encourage him to grow big and strong.

The hostas in our front garden are soaking up the raindrops…

You can see we don’t use our wheelbarrow very often…

and so, dear reader, I'm off to enjoy my morning cup of hot chocolate and play with yarn. I’ll wish you a peaceful week and hope to see you next Friday.

“A profusion of pink roses bending ragged in the rain speaks to me of all gentleness and its enduring.”
~ William Carlos Williams

Summer Treats...

2009-06-19T02:00:00.007-07:00

Don’t these colours remind you of fruit flavoured popsicles…blueberry, banana, orange, grape, lime…summertime colours....mmmmmm…

I recently completed another 50 feather & fan cloths for Canada Comforts, bringing my total to 550…

I can’t believe I’ve knit so many. Now when I pick up my needles, I automatically cast on for another one, even when my intent is to start a different project…

I did manage to break the habit and knit a new-to-me pattern called the Little Lace Kitchen Cloth (the link takes you to 4 free patterns from Carol Bristol Designs). The only change I made to my cloth was to knit the edging in seed stitch…

I’m also following the June KnitALong at Rachel’s Knitting Room (you can join the Yahoo group from a link on the site). Sometimes it’s fun not knowing what the final result will be. I'm using straight needles for the first time in years and finding it takes awhile to get used to them.

and I’ve started a blue Unscrunchable Scarf, but I keep getting interrupted by another feather & fan cloth...

Tibetan blue poppies at the botanical gardens...

Now I'm going to play with my numerous projects whilst enjoying a mug of hot chocolate (it's never too warm for a mug of hot chocolate). I'll wish you a peaceful week, dear reader, and hope to see you next Friday.

“Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.”
~Mark Twain

200 and 4...

2009-06-12T02:00:00.001-07:00

This will be my 200th post and 4th year of blogging, dear reader. If I wasn’t so slothful, I would have organized some woolly prizes to give away to my readers, but alas, all I have for you is a few words and some colourful pictures, like this one of pink peonies in Steveston..

and roses….

and more peonies…

Knitwise, I’ve been making the Ballband Dishcloth in various colours…

I also tried a pattern called the Waffle Knit Dishcloth and quite enjoyed it…

and I crocheted my second Tulip Stitch Cloth in soft yellow (I love this pattern)…

Bike Man getting ready for a ride…

and more peonies (I love pink peonies)…

Thank you so much, dear reader, for visiting my blog each week; it would be nothing without you. I’ll wish you a peaceful week and hope to see you next Friday.

“I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.”
~William Shakespeare

Tawashi...

2009-06-05T02:00:00.014-07:00

I crocheted a little Tawashi Flower...

You can see it’s not the most perfect flower as my crocheting skills are limited, but I think it’s too cute and I'm going to make more of them. They're just the right size for a coaster...

I’ve also been knitting my feather & fan cloths for Canada Comforts in summer colours…

and I used up the very last bits to make a Basket Rib Cloth…

Two crows have built a nest in the tree across the road from our house. They drop in every morning to feed in our backyard…

So does mama squirrel…

Two sunflowers from the seeds in the bird feeder…

Tigger, enjoying a nap in the garden…

and now I’m going to enjoy a nap too (although not in the garden). I’ll wish you a peaceful week, dear reader, and hope to see you next Friday.

"Anything simple always interests me."
~David Hockney

My Big Adventure...

2009-05-29T02:00:00.000-07:00

I went for a small walkabout at Iona Island one morning this week...

It was a bright sunny day, but there was a cold wind ablowin’, hence the wool cap and hoodie and sunglasses (I can't blame the funny face on the weather though)…

A beautiful view…

and some wild roses…

Then we came home and whilst I collapsed in bed, K proceeded to rip apart our downstairs bathroom. Do you recognize the era by the colours? How about 1976, when everything was brown…

and orange (that isn’t dirt on the lino, it’s all part of the lovely design)…

It’s a tiny room – no bath, just a toilet, basin, cabinet and mirror – so it shouldn’t take too long to complete. Did I just say that? Talk about putting a curse on a project. I’ll keep you posted.

Speaking of orange, I used up all of mine in another leftover towel…

The gray and black squirrels sharing a meal...

I hope you enjoyed today’s wee post, dear reader. I’ll wish you a peaceful week and hope to see you next Friday, when I may have more photos of the renovation project. We’ll see how that goes.

“Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny.”
~Kathryn Carpenter

Green, Green...

2009-05-22T02:00:00.002-07:00

We had a late growing season this year, but green is now everywhere in our garden. The black currant bushes smell so sweet…

There are no buds on the hydrangeas yet but the leaves are healthy…

This is a photo I took last year of my honeysuckle vine (upper right corner)…

We planted the vine about 15 years ago. One day recently I went to give it the usual watering and all the leaves and flowers were dead. I’m not sure what happened, if it was just old age or some other reason, but I do miss my honeysuckle blossoms.

I knit another leftover towel and used up all my greens…

Fir buds aplenty...

This week we bought a small batch of green grapes and they were so incredibly sour, I could think of nothing else to do with them except see if one of our visitors might enjoy a taste. Sure enough, this little mom-to-be started eating one right away, and she didn't scrunch up her face once...

And now for something non-green – a white pigeon amongst all the grays…

I hope this little one stays tucked in amongst the flock because it sure stands out in the crowd, and there is a resident hawk who frequently dines on pigeons in our backyard. You would think they would be wary of returning to the same spot where one of their friends was chomped on earlier, but no, they jump right back in about an hour later and start pecking at the seed spilled from the bird feeders. I don't think pigeons worry too much about the future.

And so dear reader, I’m going to enjoy a big mug of hot chocolate and not worry about the future either. I’ll wish you a peaceful week and hope to see you next Friday.

“Drag your thoughts away from your troubles... by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it.”
~Mark Twain

Rose Garden...

2009-05-15T02:00:00.003-07:00

I took a break from knitting for Towel Day to make this Unscrunchable Scarf for the homeless shelter…

with one skein of Caron Simply Soft Paints in Rose Garden…

It’s warm and cozy…

and oh so pretty...

Soon as I finished, I went back to my Leftover Towels and used up all my pink and white cotton bits…

A thirsty friend…

Knitpicks added new knitting wallpapers to their site. I'm looking at the marshmallow wallpaper right now and it's making me hungry...I do believe it's time for a big mug of hot chocolate, so I'll wish you a peaceful week, dear reader, and hope to see you next Friday.

"Happiness is life served up with a scoop of acceptance, a topping of tolerance and sprinkles of hope, although chocolate sprinkles also work."
~Robert Brault

Towel Day...

2009-05-08T02:00:00.060-07:00

May 25th is Towel Day but I thought I would celebrate early, seeing as I've been busy using up the last of my cotton bits to make these Leftover Towels (without the button tab)...

***(You can also use the Kitchen Cotton Dishcloth pattern at Dishcloth Boutique)***

I have a cunning plan for knitting up my towels. First I sort by colours until I have somewhere around 110 m / 120 yd of yarn (this batch consists of Sugar ‘n Cream leftovers in Violet Veil, Lavender Ice and Summer Prints…

My finished towels are approx. 270cm x 420cm (10-1/2” x 16-1/2”) but they vary up or down in size depending on how much yarn I use...

The yarn pieces range in length from 12” / 30 cm to the longest which is 30 yd / 27 m, with varying lengths in between. I’m casting on anywhere from 50 to 56 sts. to my 4mm (US6) needles and knitting until I run out of the designated yarn (and yes, there are lots of little ends to weave in at the finish line, but I quite enjoy the process..there is no rush, after all)...

(***Edited to Add: Since I first started knitting these towels, I've discovered that if I double knot the yarn bits together and then cut them close to the end, the join is invisible when using this particular pattern. The knots seem to burrow right into the knitting and become part of the design. I've washed these towels several times and so far the knots have held together just fine, so no need to spend countless minutes weaving in ends, unless of course you enjoy doing that).***

We had a staring contest and gray squirrel won...

K took this photo of the Malaspina Galleries on Gabriola Island…

I might have more towels to show you next week, unless of course I change my mind and start a scarf or a hat or a cloth or…

Either way, I’ll wish you a peaceful week, dear reader, and hope to see you next Friday.

“A peacefulness follows any decision, even the wrong one.”
~Rita Mae Brown

Edward...

2009-05-01T02:00:00.009-07:00

Edward was one of my attempts at bear making. The fur I used feels like a cheap carpet sample, his eyebrows are tilting off centre and his nose is taking over his face, but he's a much loved teddy...

Edward was going on a holiday so I knit him this pullover from the free Beanie Baby Sweater pattern with lots of changes for a bigger bear...

I had help with the measuring and fitting….

The sweater used almost one full skein of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton in Sage Green (80 yards / 73 metres). I added a roll collar to cover the messy cast on/cast off neckline…

Edward Sweater Details (for a 10" teddy with an 8" tummy and 5" arms:

Cast on 28 sts. to a 4mm (US6) needle.
Knit 4 rows, purl 1 row.
Stockinette stitch for 12 rows (knit 1 row, purl 1 row).
Cast on 10 sts. at the beginning of next two rows (total 48 sts.).
Garter stitch 14 rows.

Neck Opening:
Next Row: Knit 16 sts. Cast off 16 sts. Knit 16 sts.
Next Row: Knit 16 sts. Cast on 16 sts. Knit 16 sts.

Garter stitch 14 rows.
Cast off 10 sts. at the beginning of next two rows (total 28 sts.).
Stockinette stitch for 12 rows (knit 1 row, purl 1 row). Knit 4 rows and cast off.

Roll Collar: (I used dpns and knit in the round but you could also knit half the number of stitches each side and then sew the side seams of the collar together).

Pick up 42 sts. on 3 dpns (14 sts. each needle) and Knit 3, Purl 3 for 14 rows. Bind off in ribbing. Sew the under sleeve seams and side seams. Give to your favourite teddy.

***************************************************

Once the sweater was finished, Edward was ready to join K on a trip to Gabriola Island and had a grand time exploring the island…

hanging out in the trailer…

and admiring the view…

My little bear is resting up for his next big adventure…

and I’m going to rest now too so I’ll wish you a peaceful week, dear reader, and hope to see you next Friday.

“Sing Ho! For the life of a Bear!”
~Winnie the Pooh

Rolling Meadows...

2009-04-24T02:00:00.007-07:00

Rolling Meadows is the name of this Bernat Super Value colourway. I love this yarn; it’s soft, easy to work with and doesn’t pill when washed…

I used my favouritey Unscrunchable Scarf pattern…

This time I started with 28 sts. on my 5mm (US8) needles and used one full skein (275yd / 251m) to make this 6” x 65” (15cm x 165cm) warm and squishy scarf…

Speaking of rolling, K had the opportunity to try out an electric bike recently….

it was so cool I had to try it too…

I didn’t actually ride it though; my balance is too precarious for cycling, but it did feel good to be holding a bike in my hands again. I’m glad I have the memories of all the wonderful rides we had together before illness hit. I’ll have to share more of our cycling adventures with you one day, dear reader.

In the meantime, I'll wish you a peaceful week and hope to see you next Friday.

"After your first day of cycling, one dream is inevitable. A memory of motion lingers in the muscles of your legs, and round and round they seem to go. You ride through Dreamland on wonderful dream bicycles that change and grow."
~H.G. Wells, The Wheels of Chance

Soap...

2009-04-17T02:00:00.021-07:00

Hello, dear reader. I’ve been making these little soap holders for someone who likes them...

I used Melissa’s Soap Bag pattern from the Dishcloth Boutique. I added another stitch to the count (21) so I could make a row of lacy openings to thread the cord through. Of course once I did that, I couldn’t figure out how to work the chevron pattern with that extra stitch in there, so I gave up and went with garter stitch…

Here’s what I did:
Knit 4 rows then make the lace row:
K2, *yo, k2tog, k1*, repeat between **s until one stitch left, K1.

Continue following Melissa’s pattern until you almost reach the desired length, then repeat the lace row and a few rows of garter stitch and bind off. This one took a bit more cotton than the original because I added an extra loopy thing and garter stitch seems to eat up more yarn – approx. 41m (44 yd) …

Here’s one in the original chevron design without the lace row or the extra tie. Either way works, it’s just easier for me to thread the cord through lace holes than through the stitches. This one used just under 37 m (40 yd)….

Remember when I was so impressed with my ability to use my knitting bee? Well, it turns out – I was doing it ALL WRONG. It would take too long to explain what I was doing but trust me, it was wrong. My next attempt didn’t go well either. I kept flipping all the stitches off the pegs and had to pry them back on, one at a time, so I ended up with lumps and bumps in my cord…

Then the reality of spool knitting a hot pad hit me…the next step would involve sewing this long cord together…in a circle. I quickly discovered a new use for my cord and my knitting bee…

(*Note: no knitting bee was injured in the making of this photo).

I haven’t given up on my spool knitting; I’m just waiting until I have more patience.

The squirrels are frisky and bouncing all over our yard…

I was going to tell you I missed last week because the dog ate my blog post, but I don’t have a dog, so it must have been the virus that attacked me. Nevermind though, I’m on the mend and able to eat chocolate again, so life is good.

Thanks for dropping by, dear reader; I’ll wish you a peaceful week and hope to see you next Friday.

“Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough.”
~Emily Dickinson

Busy As A Bee...

2009-04-03T09:20:00.001-07:00

K bought me my very own French Knitting Bee (that was the name on the package); it didn’t take me long to remember how to use this little fellow….

I had several of these when I was a kid and I created enough knitted cord to cover our house (inside and out); then life got busy and I forgot about my knitting bee…or spool knitting….or corking…so many different names for a simple and fun pasttime.

Now I am enjoying it all over again. Even though I'm at my wobbliest with another ear infection, I can still manage to make a bit of cord; soon I should have enough to sew together a little pad for my tea maker to rest on…

I did manage to stop long enough to knit another set of cloths from Sugar ‘n Cream in Over the Rainbow colours…

This very cute Douglas squirrel hangs out at the Richmond Nature Park…

We have some pretty white flowers in the garden and they attract the bees with their sweet smell…

Now you will have to excuse me, dear reader, as I hear my little knitting bee calling…must make more knitted cord…I’ll wish you a peaceful week and hope to see you next Friday.

“A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.”
~H. Albright

Feathers...

2009-03-27T07:00:00.002-07:00

I made myself another Feathery Cowl, because you can never have too many cowls…

same size as the first one, except I used 1-1/2 skeins of Bernat Handicrafter in Burgundy…

It’s a warm snuggle around my neck…

K took these photos of a purple finch…

and a downy woodpecker at the Richmond Nature Park…

This porch has nothing to do with feathers; I just like the setting and the colours…

So dear reader, a little knitting and a lot of nature = a good balance. I’ll wish you a peaceful week and hope to see you next Friday, when it will be April (the months are flying by so quickly).

“Nature is my medicine.”
~Sara Moss-Wolfe

Snow Ghost...

2009-03-20T07:00:00.001-07:00

You know how much I love snow, dear reader, so it isn’t too surprising I would jump at the chance to knit with a yarn named Snow Ghost…

This is my Unscrunchable Scarf pattern…

The scarves I’m knitting through the year will be donated to a Vancouver emergency shelter in October…and I will wash them again after wearing for the photo shoot…

I also knit another Feather & Fan and Basket Rib cloth in Natural Ombre…

Anita of eat.sleep.knit...the life of a knitting junkie has chosen my blog for two lovely awards. Thank you Anita! I am honoured to be on your list. (I know I'm supposed to post the awards here and also pass them along to 10 other blogs, but my brain seems to be incapable of following through. I'm amazed to actually see photos on my blog today).

An early March morning at Garry Point…

It’s the first day of Spring here in the northern hemisphere (and the first day of Autumn in the south). I am going to celebrate the morning with a cup of hot chocolate, so I'll wish you a peaceful week, dear reader, and hope to see you next Friday.

“Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment.”
~Ellis Peters

Tulips In The Snow...

2009-03-13T07:00:00.004-07:00

This is the beautiful Tulip Stitch Cloth from Tea’s blog. My foundation row was a bit tight and I had to wrestle with the crochet hook to get those first stitches done but after that it was smooth sailing. I want to make many more cloths from this lovely pattern.

Oh yes, we had snow this week. It came in a flurry of flakes early Monday morning (poor commuters)...

I sat by the living room window and watched the magic unfold…

K took this photo of a flicker at Terra Nova park…

Two days later we had sunshine and green grass…

and buds on the trees…

I came across two new-to-me charity links and thought I would share with those of you who enjoy knitting for the greater good…

Beanies for Babies Campaign: (I think this ends December 2009 but you can contact them for more information).

Women4Women, Knitting4Peace: This group is asking for peace shawls (similar to prayer shawls) to be given to women in areas of conflict around the world.

On the subject of community knitting, I accomplished my personal goal of knitting 500 feather & fan cloths for the Canada Comforts project. I’m happy to have reached my goal earlier than expected, especially during some turbulent times with my health. It gives me a feeling of great joy to knit for others.

I haven't decided whether I will continue to knit for this project or focus on another area of community knitting, but while I pondered this question I managed to complete my 501st cloth…

So, I’m going to stop talking now and carry on knitting, dear reader. I’ll wish you a peaceful week and hope to see you next Friday.

"You will find, as you look back on your life, that the moments that stand out are the moments when you have done things for others."
~Henry Drummond

Cheap, Cheap

2009-03-06T07:00:00.002-08:00

With one skein of Sugar ‘n Cream variegated cotton (95 yards/87 metres), I managed to squeeze out a Feather & Fan Cloth plus a Basket Rib Cloth …

and a tiny amount left over …

My Feather & Fan cloth takes approx. 54-55 yards (49-50 metres) and the Basket Rib cloth uses 38-39 yards (35-36 metres). For the Basket Rib cloth, I added a few rows of garter stitch at the top and bottom and knit only 10 repeats, otherwise everything else is the same as the pattern…

I collect the little leftover bits in a basket and one day they’ll become another Whiskers Cloth - like this one, only in blue…

I’m happy when I can use up every speck of yarn from the skein; I like to think I’m being thrifty and creatively crafty (and maybe a little cheap).

It’s March and our daffodils are sprouting…

and the squirrels are frisky …

and the boats are busy in the harbour...

Dear reader, it was touch & go whether I'd have any photos to share this week. I was putting my post together and suddenly I couldn't remember how to upload the photos. My mind went completely blank and I have to say, I freaked a little. No worries though, eventually the light came on and all's well (at least for today).

So, I’ll wish you a peaceful week and hope to see you next Friday, if I can remember how to do this again.

“Thrift was never more necessary in the world's history than it is today.”
~Francis H. Sisson

XOXO...

2009-02-27T12:40:00.019-08:00

I knit this yummy cloth as part of Rachel’s KAL (Knit Along). You can join the fun at Rachel’s Knitting Room Yahoo group. Mine turned out prettier than I imagined but not as detailed and beautiful as the one Rachel made…

Bestest of all, we had SNOW yesterday! I love SNOW! (sorry for the caps & exclamations, I get a bit excited talking about SNOW!)…

most of it’s gone today but I did enjoy every moment of its presence…

Sorry I don’t have a lot to show you this week. I’ve been a bit more wobbly than usual and to make life more interesting, I had my eyes examined early this morning. My lovely eye doctor used those drops, you know, the ones that make your pupils as large as saucers and so very sensitive to light. Of course today the sun is shining the brightest it has in days and days. I am typing this post on the spot with wonky vision, so forgive the smallness and the lateness (and the poor grammar).

Anyhoo, I have been knitting some of my favouritey feather & fans (I love this bright yellow, yum, yum)…

Gotta go now and rest, dear reader, so I’ll wish you a peaceful week and hope to see you next Friday, when it will be March, which means very little chance of any more SNOW! in our yard, which means I have next winter to look forward to. Life is fun.

“I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders.”
~Jewish Proverb

Hanging By A Thread...

2009-02-20T07:00:00.010-08:00

I’m adding a crocheted loop to the corner of my Basket Rib Hand Towel…

so I can hang them on the thingie in the bathroom (the name of that thingie escapes me at the moment)…

You could do an i-cord loop instead of crochet if you prefer…

Both towels were knit on 4mm (US6) needles with leftover cotton yarn from other projects and cobbled together. They each used approx. 100 yards (92 metres) and measure 24cm x 33cm (9-1/2” x 13”) after a light swoosh with the steam iron...

A Steveston sunrise…

and the fleet at rest…

and now it's time for another rest period, so I'll wish you a peaceful week, dear reader, and hope to see you next Friday.

“I'll tell you how the sun rose a ribbon at a time.”
~Emily Dickinson

I Am A Fan...

2009-02-13T07:00:00.006-08:00

of feather & fan…and cowls…so one day I continued knitting a Feather & Fan cloth until I'd made a cowl....

My neck cozy measures 20“ x 8“ (50cm x 20cm), is knit with size 4mm (US6) needles and uses one skein of Sugar ‘n Cream (120 yd/109 m)…

and is cottony soft. I know it won’t give much protection in the depth of winter, but most days it’s a warm hug around the neck…

You could add a button and not have to make a buttonhole, just slip the button through one of the eyelets…

The photographer at work…

Happy Valentine's Day! Happy Chocolate Day! I'll wish you a peaceful week, dear reader, and hope to see you next Friday.

“There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved.”
~Charles Morgan

Sideways...

2009-02-06T07:00:00.002-08:00

A long time ago I knit this Sideways Scarf in a yummy array of pinks and reds…

One of the strands carried a thread of gold alongside…

This is still my favouritey scarf…

I need to make another one soon…

but first I’m knitting another Unscrunchable Scarf for charity…

Breaking ground…our first daffodil sighting in the back garden...

A winter sunset from our upstairs window...

It's difficult to write much these days, dear reader, but I do hope you enjoy the photos I share. I'll wish you a peaceful week and hope to see you next Friday.

“It's me who is my enemy
me who beats me up
me who makes the monsters
me who strips my confidence.”

~Paula Cole, Singer/Songwriter

Beach Ball Blues...

2009-01-30T13:10:00.001-08:00

It’s fun to play with summer colours in the midst of winter. I used Sugar ‘n Cream Beach Ball Blue to knit my Feather & Fan cloth...

Same yarn but a different result using the Basket Rib Hand Towel pattern…

We had snow this week, just one day, but what a glorious day it was…

The buds on the trees were surprised…

One minute the squirrels were zooming around the garden, chasing each other and having a jolly time in the sun, then suddenly it was winter again…

The snow tastes good though…

Roses for 38 years...

I will wish you a peaceful week, dear reader, and hope to see you next Friday. Take care.

“Our wedding was many years ago. The celebration continues to this day."
~Gene Perret

Unscrunchable Scarf...

2009-01-23T07:00:00.011-08:00

I started with the intention of knitting the Scrunchable Scarf…

Due to my inability to read a very simple pattern, I managed to make a mess several times before I finally gave up and decided to do it my way…

Here’s what I did to make my Unscrunchable Scarf:

Cast on 24 sts. with 5mms (US8) using one skein (182 metres/200 yards) of Caron Simply Soft Paints - Harlequin colourway. This yarn has beautiful colours with a hand painted look…

I proceeded to K3, P1 across the row and repeated that one row over and over until I had just enough yarn to cast off. I washed the scarf in the sink with a little bit of shampoo, gave a rinse and squeezed as much water out as I could, then draped it over the drying rack for a good air dry. It came out yummy soft…

Final measurements after blocking: 4.25” x 60” (llcm x 152cm) – a perfect size for keeping the neck warm and toasty on a cold winter’s day without too much bulk (and a perfect recipe for one skein of yarn). If you want to widen this scarf, cast on extra sts. in multiples of 4...

I'm not sure what happened to this photo...do you like my mauve chin?

Now we will take a sip of water before finishing our stretching exercises…

Well dear reader, I’m off to start another Unscrunchable Scarf (you knew I couldn't make just one),so I’ll wish you a peaceful week and hope to see you next Friday.

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities.” ~Theodore Geisel