Blog neglect....

Writing entries in this blog are fun, that's why I do it but..... it is time consuming! I have decided to write on my blog once a week on Fridays. Until further changing of my mind here it is a Friday and I am blogging about how my knitting week went.

I have started several projects and surprise surprise not one got finished. I've been knitting socks for "Big Foot" aka. dh. (Dear Husband). He has discovered the wonderful world of hand knit socks. I have created a monster, his socks take a lot longer for me to knit and they are boring. He does not like the colors I want to knit or any fancy stitches. Just your basic socks like the Tami Socks but a bit bigger and on smaller needles. Shish....

Cascade Sock Yarn, navy blue. Size 2.5 Signature needles. Pattern: Tami Socks

While I'm on a sock knitting kick I thought I would start a new colorful pair for myself. Yarn is Blue Moon Fibers, 2.5 mm needles. Pattern: Basic toe up short row heel & toe.

I'm going to teach knitting socks at the Slipt Stitch Knitting Guild in September. I know that is several months away but I thought I would practice some new techniques. I'll let you know how that goes.

Just a couple more projects I've been working on this week. Another AnaBandana scarf, in pale grey and white shadow knitting with beads. Alpaca yarn, so so soft!

About 80% done with this project, it's on my schedule to finish this weekend.

Last but not least my fair isle attempt. I have never really done a whole entire project "fair isle". For those who may not know all these fancy knitterly terms, it's simply multicolor knitting. The are two main ways to knit with different colors and strands. One is Fair Isle and the other is Intarsia. Fair Isle is usually done in the round because it's just easier to accomplish this technique. It is where one color is used for the knit stitch and the second strand of a different color is carried in the back.

The technique I use is the left hand does Continental knitting and the right hand uses "The Throw Method" or English Knitting. I am a Continental knitter and it's kind of awkward for me to "Throw" but I'm getting used to it. This method kind of equals the playing field because if you are a "Thrower" then the "Continental" method will be awkward and vica versa.

I did make a little mistake with my chart and did not realize that I had turned it sideways. Oops! Also I trimmed a few stitches to match my cast on. Oops again. But I think all is well that ends well and so far it looks like it's going to turn out well.

On a personal note, I will be going to the GLASG (Greater Los Angeles Spinning Guild) meeting tomorrow and we have a program: Long draw and short draw. As you may know I'm a beginning spinner so I welcome any instructions to master my new love of spinning wool.

You are as good as your tools.

I have always paid very close attention to tools. My dear mother used to say (with her Hungarian accent) "You've always tooled up elegantly". I love to work with my hands and no matter what I am making the right tool can make the difference between a fun easy pleasurable task or miserable one. And the outcome is proof that the old saying "You are as good as your tools." There is this other one translated "Good tools are half the work."

Using a good tool that was designed thoughtfully well is indeed a pleasure. Yesterday I got just that in the mail a set of Signature double pointed needles. Ok they were not cheap but my dear far superior to any other double pointed needles I have.

Happy New Year....

This last year 2010 seemed like it flew by. Yet when I take a look at all the pictures I took last January seems like it was so long ago. I love taking pictures I always have and now that I can save them on the computer and have such easy access I use photography all the time. I use pictures to remind me how I did a certain knit pattern or even what brand of underwear my husband likes so when I go to the store I can just look it up on my iPhone. I love gadgets and when they work some of the new ones are brilliant.

This is a knitting blog primarily so I will post about what I've been knitting on since my last post. Last year I got into spinning and dyeing yarn. What fun it's been, I love spinning and the dyeing is just the cherry on the cake. I only use food coloring that I get at my local Smart & Final. Primary colors 2 bucks a bottle and I can use all my kitchen utensils and it's non toxic and permanent. That is the first question people ask me is will it last? Yes it's permanent and will not wash out. Of course like other dyes some colors fade faster than others.

I first started spinning on a drop spindle, the one I love is Jenkins Woodworks Turkish spindle. Mr. Jenkins is an artist and the little wooden spindle is like a work of art. Beautifully made and functions superbly, balanced just right and it's a source of hours of hours of entertainment. For those who do not understand why anybody would work so very hard on making yarn when you can buy it readily made all I can say is that it's not about the yarn you make but the process. Hey it's better than taking Prozac, it's a very relaxing activity and with the world so crazy around me I need calm and relaxation. Also it makes me feel like I've taken a step back to simpler times when you made your own wool to make your own socks etc.

Here are some pictures of the first project of the year. Simple wrist warmer, oh but it feels so wonderful and it's warm!

The pattern:

"One Ply" Single yarn spun from Pagewood Farm merino wool. 50 grams about 80 yards. Needle used 1.25 dpn knit in the round. (Any sock yarn will do for those who do not spin.)

Using a size 3 needle co 72 sts using the German Twisted cast on method for a loose cast on. Join to knit in the round, place a stitch marker so you know where it starts and k3, p3 for about 2”.

Beginning at the next round K2 tog, k3, p3 for 4” (Spiral rib)

Beginning at the next round K1, M1, K1, k3, p3 for 2 more inches.

Crochet picot bind off: take your crochet hook slip 3 sts and pull the working yarn through all 3, chain 4 and repeat all the way around.

(Here is a demo of this bind off I made with a different stitch count.)

Happy Holidays

I have not posted for a while, just busy with life. Knitting, cooking, sorting yarn and yes spinning too. This was posted on FaceBook by Lucy Neatby and I just loved it so I thought I would share it on my blog. Getting in the mood for the holidays.

Lakedale Resort on San Juan Island

Lakedale Resort, the setting could not have been more beautiful. We were very lucky the weather was perfect, the food was excellent and the company superb. Cat Bordhi and Anna Zilboorg were sharing some of their fiber knowledge with stories about knitting history and their experiences.

I loved sitting around the lodge in front of the huge fireplace with the lake in the background.

This was my spot I was knitting, my Pocket Wheel because I like to spin once in a while. My bowl full of dryer balls. You never know when you need some wool balls, they have so many uses. And all my knitting tools, no wonder I had no room in my suitcase. But wait while we were eating the room turns into a yarn store!

A lady from Lopez Island brought over her yarn store and as if by magic the room turned into a yarn store! More stuff for my suitcase.

Just as quickly as it appeared the yarn store was gone and we were back sitting around knitting learning new stitches, listening to good stories and yes laughed a lot.

The iPads were consulted when needed and a good time was had by all.

I had such a good time I'm sure I'll be posting more bear with me.

Back to reality

The hardest part about spending a week knitting and spinning and laughing with like minded friends is coming home to reality. It's shocking. I want to go downstairs and have my breakfast with my new friends and put the dishes on a tray and settle in the huge soft sofa and have Anna Zilborg or Cat Bordhi tell me stories while I'm knitting or spinning. Then have a delicious lunch served to us and while we are in the dining room chatting and having a good time the lodge turns into a knitting store with beautiful yarn, roving and naturally dyed stuff with a tray of buttons. Beautiful buttons and I'm not even sure what else because there was so much stuff to choose from.

For a break we would stroll on to the deck by the lake and spin a little on my wonderful Pocket Wheel that I took with me carefully packed in my suitcase. The sun is shining and the birds are singing, as far as I'm concerned it was as good as it gets for a retreat. Well there was one little problem Cat kept "kidnapping" my Pocket Wheel. Each time I would leave it unattended for a moment puff it was gone. Then I would get an eMail informing me that she was kidnapped with a photo attached. I had to figure out where the she was hidden. Honestly when Cat and I get together we revert back to two silly little girls. But enjoyable fun, lots of laughs and the creative ideas just comeMy Pocket-Wheel is packed carefully cushioned by pajamas knitted sweaters and wool balls. Glad to report that she made it safe and sound. Although I miss her because I dropped her off at Mr. Pocket Wheel's studio for a little once over. Just to make sure she is in her tip top condition. Did I say I miss my Pocket Wheel? Somehow I've fallen in love with this little wheel.
My friend Leslie and I are in Seattle on our way to visit the Picasso exhibit at the museum.

While we were waiting to go in to the Picasso exhibit we strolled around the museum and look there was this Sock Statue! Made out of knitted socks. It was over six foot tall and it had granny square boots. Wow! Now I know what to do with all my old socks.

A couple of pictures I was able to take before they told me that picture taking was not allowed? Why Not? What is this all about when museums do not allow pictures. I can understand flash no being allowed but taking a picture with my iPhone is so "stealth".
Maybe Picasso discovered Acid, clearly something was going on here....

My friend Leslie with her new hat she bought at the gift shop. None of the hats looked good on me so no hat for me.

Knitter's do not pack light, we have lots of gear. The spinning wheels, knitting bags, sweaters etc.

The ferry arrives in Friday Harbor.

My friend Steve from Seattle, a beautiful knitter. The only one who almost finished their Anna Zilboorg sock.
Cat Bordhi posing for my camera.
The lake and clear blue skies. It was beautiful.




I will post more next time. I can tell you that a good time was had by all and it went by too fast. Too too fast.

Extremebspinning

Devra always made me laugh...

I posted this picture of Devra and I on Facebook and one of our friends remarked that Devra made all of us laugh.

Now I'm off for some R&R to Friday Harbor, for some rest and relaxation. Meeting up with good friends and we will be in a beautiful place, some knitting and spinning...... life is good. Cat Bordhi and Anna Zilboorg will be teaching us. I can hardly wait.

One of my friends suffered a stroke...

One of my oldest friends Devra shown below at a reunion lunch on the far right with the print loose blouse suffered a major stroke. We have known each other since high school. We are all very shook up and praying for her recovery.

Life is scary sometimes.

ana, mary, pam & devra

The photograph above was taken by Devra's brother Ed Caraeff at the Newsroom Cafe.

"Chef Eddie J"

"It was recently the 40th anniversary of Monterey Pop, the California festival that brought artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Laura Nyro to the world’s attention. That’s where my dear friend Ed Caraeff, then 15 years old, took what Jann Wenner once called “the most famous rock ‘n roll photo ever” of Hendrix setting his guitar on fire.
Eddie, who went on to a successful photography career and is now an equally successful LA chef, was honored at the anniversary celebration for his work, and is shown here standing next to the photo display. Way to go, Eddie!"

http://www.shorefire.com/blog/2007/06/let-me-stand-next-to-your-fire.html