Knitting Dragonflies

Update on Syd, post surgery he got a seroma , about the size of a grapefruit, which then involved a drainage tube being inserted. Fun!  A lot of drainage, but better out than in. So I spent my weekend doing laundry and cleaning up after dribbles. But his side looks quite a bit better now that all of the fluid is out! Sometimes it is good to be lazy! I did get some knitting done. Working on my Dummy Clap Shawl , it is super east and fast. I’m knitting it with some Brown Sheep in a pound cone from my stash,  the yardage looks like it is 1400, in a deep maroon, beautiful yarn, and lovely to work with. It is Top of The Lamb . See link for information on this yarn, I would use it again. I’m already trying to track some down, I believe I bought at a weaving shop. It would be lovely in a shawl. From Brown Sheep Company about Top of the Lamb yarn, This single ply 100% USA grown wool yarn was expressly designed and dyed in colors that could be woven in rugs by the Navajo Nation.  It is stil

Makes me think of a Beatles song! *grin*, it would be nice to be on a blanket with my knitting here, and a bottle of wine or a beer! I got a collection of hand dyed yarn out, and am trying to decide if I can knit it in a way that the top is lighter graduating into a darker blend on the bottom. I’m thinking of making the bottom design darker blue. More on this later…..Swatching now.. Happy Knitting!!

I am in love with top down and bottom up in the round construction for sweaters. Consequently I’m always on the look out for books that use this technique. Wendy’s Custom Knits came out around 2008. I purchased this book off of Amazon without being able to look through it. (I will buy in the round sweater books sight unseen, *grin*). I very much liked the style of the sweater shown on the front cover. I expected this book to be a bit more user friendly for beginning knitters. (like Elizabeth Zimmerman books, she takes you by the hand and leads you through the process if needed, otherwise knit on), I do like her advice of finding styles that work for you, look at the bought sweaters that you own, and flatter you. My favorite is her “reality checklist” for picking a pattern out. I am especially guilty of seeing a photo of a women in a field of flowers, who looks nothing like me, wearing a lovely sweater and have to buy this pattern and yarn. If you follow her checklist, it will elimina

I have two big dogs, lab mix, litter mates. Super sweet and funny. About two years ago my male dog, Syd, had a Mast Cell Tumor and surgery to remove it.( see previous post ), We have been tumor free since then, however, about a month ago a lump showed up on his right side (on his eighth rib), see photo, Mast Cell tumors can look many different ways on dogs. It is very important to get any lump or bump checked out with your vet, it may save the life of your dog. The first tumor was a size of a pea on the skin, (in his groin area), the vet had to remove an area about the size of an orange to remove it all. Like an iceberg, you only see part of the tumor. This tumor was the size of an egg, so we were anxious, knowing how much had to be removed last time. The vet assured us that this tumor was located in a “better” area. I won’t go into detail (I’ll add links to helpful pages if you need more info on Mast Cell Tumors), Before photo of Syd’s Tumor (below) A little wobbly but up and abou

I’m at work and my co-workers are talking about the book everyone is reading, Fifty Shades of Grey, and I’m thinking, oooo, grey, a steely grey wool would be a gorgeous neutral sweater. Maybe with some cables, a classic pattern, or a shawl neck and a basket weave, or maybe some lace panels…….OOOO Erotic…… .Here are a few free cardigan patterns I like, all free! Aidez is a feminine fitted cardigan that has all the cozy antique appeal of traditional Aran texture Amiga from Mags Kandis published in Knitty, love this lightweight breezy cardigan A fun cardigan from Vickie Howell, with some pattern to it , not too much to be intimidating, but enough to make it interesting to knit and wear. From Black Dog Designs a fabulous and modern take on a classic cardigan , The Stella Designed by Wendy Baker for plus sizes. the pattern is taken from 'Knitting Goes Large' by Sharon Brant, published by Rowan. A plus size easy to wear figure skimming cardigan free pattern. This casual jack

I was bogged down with my Dummy Clap Shawl (pattern by Anna Peck), I thought I needed something mindless to knit, but maybe I didn’t. It was too boring. I stopped knitting and thought I was going to frog it, but after seeing a video on 20 ways to wear a Eternity scarf, I’m thinking I’m going to keep knitting. Ave measurement of an eternity scarf = 30 x 80 inches. Even if you don’t knit one, you can sew one with knitted fabric or just buy one. I love this video! Check it out!! So I’m knitting again, I’ve also been buying some (ha, well maybe more than some or a few) knitting books and I’ve got lots of ideas!

I know I’ve been MIA for a while. I’m getting a major craving to knit a sweater! Yes, I know the temp is in the 90’s but a girl at work asked me some questions and brought hers in and I helped her along. Now I’m itching to get some needles into my hands. Everything goes better with knitting…. Get those needles and yarn out and get knitting!

My absence here is due to my life being in transition. At certain times in life a path comes and we step off of our current one and start another. Change is good but scary, especially in this time of uncertainty. But a great career opportunity came my way that I couldn’t turn down and had to take advantage of it. Although the new job has no benefits and is uncertain and (of course) I love it. I have had keep my old job and work them both. So I’m just taking this a day at a time and seeing what happens. Until then, I’m trying to fit some knitting into my schedule!! As it is MUCH needed!! Life with no knitting (or spinning) = hot mess! Keep knitting

I know everyone’s life is crazy anymore! It is hard to find a balance. I’ve been super stressed lately and have forgotten to do the things that I enjoy doing. When life is busy, or all your energy is focused on a special project, it's all too easy to find yourself "off balance," not paying enough attention to important areas of your life. While you need to have drive and focus if you're going to get things done, taking this too far can lead to frustration and intense stress. That's when it's time to bring things back into balance. How about a mantra? A mantra is the main focus of meditation, a word or a phrase that you use to center your mind. Repeat your word or phrase throughout the day to gain more control and feel calmer.* For example K1, P2, slip 1, ktog, psso* Keep a routine Keeping a routine can make a hectic or stressful time in your life an anchor, like drinking a cup of coffee in the morning or sit quietly in your favorite chair or writing i

Everyone is happy spring is here! Kick up your heels and enjoy it! Time to spin for me!!

Is there anyone out there that knits a sweater pattern without drama? Ha, all frustration aside, gauge problems, pattern tweaking etc.…[ pattern here ] I powered through all of my knitting drama with this pattern, well it did have extended “resting” times, but my biggest hurtle was, (see above photo) this is all of the yarn I have, see little bitty ball at the bottom!  11 skeins later and the arms of the sweater are just to my elbows. I dithered around for a bit, I had spent more money on this yarn than I had planned, and not made it into the pattern I had bought it for (of course *snort*). But I ultimately decided that I do in fact, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how this is turning out, (it is super bulky thick and thin yarn) and is very warm and soft and squishy, I originally thought, when I realized that I would not have enough yardage to complete it, that I would make it into a vest. Having a raglan sleeve posed a problem with that idea. So I decided to knit as far as my yarn would allow me t

The Iced sweater that has stopped me in my tracks is now enjoying some attention. I’m almost out of yarn, and even though this yarn is discontinued, of course, I found some on eBay. But don’t really want to put more money into this sweater. (subject to change… ha) I’ve decided, after looking at many magazines after my surgery, that the fall trend is showing many vests. I decide to put my sleeves on hold and the bottom also, and start on the collar. I only have 3.5 skeins of yarn left (85 yards apiece) so if I can get the collar done, maybe I can then decide if I need to finish the sweater properly. Or…..just turn it into a vest. Would I wear a bulky vest? Not really sure I care at this point, I just need to get some momentum on this project. Until then I’m going to leave you with some great pattern links I’ve found…. http://us.knitsmc.com/files/patterns/freepattern_select_1762_en.pdf , this is a knitted shrug pattern, looks simple with a dolman sleeve , super easy pattern with a

So I work well under pressure, with a deadline. I decided, last minute, to sew my DH a shirt on our anniversary. So I got started in the morning, not early. I bought a heavy golden flannel, with a tea stained like pattern on it. He is a real outdoor type of guy. The shirt would be good for hiking etc. Getting things cut out. It’s been a LONG time since I sewed anything from a pattern. (that was clothing), how wide is that material? Yes, a LONG time. All cut out and ready to go, you can’t see it very well, but it is sitting on my new sewing basket. The one I was using was the one I had to buy in 6th grade for home ec. So after finishing the quilt I was working on I decided I deserved a new one. By the time my DH came home I had most of it done. Had to alter the shoulders a bit and the collar/neck. I still have the buttons to sew on and the buttonholes. (and the hem). But I’m pretty pleased with it. I especially like the button flaps for the pockets. The back yoke echos the patter

In the hot, humid summer days we have been catching up on yard work, house work, and discovered Roku! A great cheap way to get our TV. So I’ve had some TV knitting! We have had just an antenna for about 4 years now, so there are all kinds of shows out there I’ve never seen. I’m starting another quilt. More on that later. And thinking of letting my hair go grey. The coloring is becoming rather tiring. Every two weeks is too expensive to go professional. I have been using henna for almost two years. Love the feel of my hair with it. But e-gods it is messy, and with the increasing greys, comes more of an orange color vs.: auburn. I found Anne Kreamer’s book Going Gray , and have been inspired to give it a go, after all I can color it again if I don’t like it. I also found this web site, Going Gray and Looking Great , if my hair actually looks like any of these ladies does, I’ll be happy. Anyone out there letting their color grow out? I’ve been coloring since I was in my mid-late 20’s,

Back to my same theme, who doesn’t love Elizabeth Zimmermann?? Her baby Surprise jacket ( rav link )  is the evolution of several patterns. From what I can piece together, that pattern is the result of her playing around with the basic idea for a bit. I see that she made the Baby Garter-stitch Jacket: The Prequel, which is published in Wool Gathering #61, sept 99. A very nice simple baby jacket. I also found the Surplice Jacket, ( rav link ) published in Woolgathering #50 . I also found the Tomtem jacket ( rav link ), which has a hood, and I love this addition to the pattern. Although this pattern was written for a child, I decided to give it a go, and try to make it for a baby present! Yarn:I settled on some Organic Cotton, I had knitted a small project with this and fell in love with it. It just keeps getting softer and nicer. I also wanted a color that wasn’t a baby color, and finally decided on this one called “spice”. I fearlessly cast on, knit about 6 rows and realize

Just a peak of what I’ve been up to… My brother is getting married and I’ve been busy… No knitting has occurred, well that’s not entirely true, I have been knitting some dish cloths. I find that is good knitting when I’m stuck on my projects. So I still have the Iced sweater, with not enough yarn to finish it. I’m frowning at it, as I don’t want to frog it, I have found more yarn on EBay and may buy it. (what else am I going to do?) I still have my toe up socks that are in the knitting bag, not sure why I stopped those. Evidently I’m getting surgery, my thyroid nodule, has now grown . Not sure when, still haven’t seen the surgeon, you know how that goes, precertification etc.…. I’m hoping for some energy out of all of this. More later Get your knitting needles out, and I’ll try to also.

  Knitters usually have a favorite item to knit. Shawls, socks, dishcloths, toys, to name a few. Mine is sweaters. A strange item for a women who is plagued by hot flashes that scare my co workers. But if you are a knitter you will understand, when the knitting muse calls, you just answer it, no questions asked. My first big success into knitting sweaters was when I discovered Elizabeth Zimmerman , and, suddenly, after years of odd sweaters, or frogged sweaters, I had a “sweater that actually fit”! This was the beginning of my long love affair with sweaters. I think of my knitting phases as; 1-My FLAT period; scarves, afghans, dishcloths, basically anything flat and mindless. I was into loving the knitting, just for the knitting. Then I heard the siren of the sweater, I knitted quite a few flat, funny sweaters, that got frogged, given to anyone resembling the resulting size, and just generally huge “gauge” issues. 2-Sweater; In the round, bottom up, Yay! I discovered Elizabeth Zi

Same pattern as below link, just slightly bigger needles and a longer rib area, and hat body. I used one size larger needles than the original pattern and still only one skein of Lion Brand Hometown USA, Super Bulky, acrylic. Free Pattern here Or turn the brim up! Oh no, I feel a hat marathon starting. This pattern is so easy and fast! I’m working on a “real” slouchy flat hat pattern, cast on and in the process, I’m on the quest for a more “slouchy” look, more later. LOL May your knitting needles fly as fast as dragonflies….