Archive for November, 2013

Knitting Plans have been Thrown Out the Window

November 24, 2013

I tried.  Really I did.  But I forgot something.  It’s called Christmas.  It all started a couple of weeks ago.  Fer and I were in a knitting shop when she spotted some yarn she liked, so I bought it.  I thought, I could squeeze in one pair of socks with my Must Complete Before Anything Else projects.  My little coppery scarf was almost finished at the time.  I could do it.

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It was fun to make and it looks good with a turtleneck.  I should have laid it out on something that contrasts. 

I started making the socks.  The pattern is fairly simple and they should be finished this evening.  They are striping nicely.

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So, everything was going along as planned when a friend asked if I would make short finger gloves for her Mother for Christmas.  She is in and out with her job and needs them for cold days.  I couldn’t say no.  She even had an outline of her hand.  OK.  We can do this.    I had some blue, rust and tan yarn that looked good in a DK weight.  They won’t take long.  Then, I can get back to my unfinished projects.

Wait a minute.  My grandson wants me to make a scarf for his girlfriend.  Well.  I can’t say no to my grandson.  You know?  I found some red yarn that is smooth wool, rayon ribbon and furry.  That’ll work.

Maybe finishing those other projects will be my new years resolution.

 

 

Completing Projects

November 21, 2013

My need to complete things can get frustrating.  I have been working steadily on the quilt, but I still have seven, out of twenty-five, squares to complete.  Then I need to cut about three yards of stripes to go around each square.  The end result should be a 102 inch square.  I think(hope) I have enough batting.  The batting I have is 96″.  Should I piece or try to find 102″ wide batting?  I did find 108″ backing fabric.  Normally, I use leftovers that I don’t know what else to do with or I just don’t like the fabric any more.  Ah, decisions, decisions.  I’ll worry about that later.

P1050701  Here’s the  binding and backing.  The binding I bought at Mares Bears in Lewes.  The backing is from The Country Store in Intercourse.  My daughter and I went up there on the seventh.  She loves having Thursdays off. 

I also bought some food fabric.

P1050709  Raspberry, grapes, plums, garlic, carrots, apples, cauliflower and broccoli, and avocados.  Oh, my.   You can never have enough.

Finished At Long Last

November 5, 2013

P1050699  What a pain in the butt were these socks!  I am so happy that they are completed.  I tried following the directions.  Honest. I did.  But I didn’t like the way they were going.  The toe didn’t fit my toes.  I wanted my usual rounded toe.  My toes demanded it.  But these are toe up socks.  And my toes said, “So?”  I started the second sock from the top.  I used a simple knit two, purl two rib.  I t looked much better so I took out the rib oon the first sock and changed it, too.  I thought about the heel, but I went with the same afterthought one.  I’d liked the contrast.  I made my usual rounded toe and tried it on.  it fit just right.  Happy toes.  Happy feet.  Happy me.

Removing the unwanted toe was time-consuming.  At times I wondered why I was doing this.  I thought about tossing them.  But I couldn’t.  They have to be right.  They have to be finished.  I have to be satisfied.  That’s all there is to it.

I’ll be working on the copper colored scarf next.

A Blue Heron Yarn Experience

November 2, 2013

The weather was so nice today, I decided to drive over to Easton to the new Blue Heron shop. It was their Grand Opening and just about everything was on sale. And, well, tomorrow the clocks go back to standard time, so I’ll be depressed for the next five months. Cold and dark sucks.

Happy thoughts. The shop was great. I loved it. Even the furniture is adorable. You have to check out their button book.  I think I could have stayed there all day and been happy.  I should have taken pictures. I keep forgetting my phone has a decent camera. 

P1050695  And this is my purchase–2 sock plus, alpaca lace, wool metallic, a pattern and some buttons.  I’m happy.