March 19, 2009
Well, I am back. Finally have something to talk about and some pictures as well. First off, I finished my Norweigan sweater and now the weather has warmed up. I feel like Ziggy
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And I've been spinning some again, too. I only have two bobbins filled and am working on the third, so far. I'm planning on it to become some more sock yarn.
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I just got some more boer goat undercoat from some friends of mine. And they gave me some antique Whittmore carding paddles of their mother's. How cool is that? I asked them to give me all the undercoat they could. I will wash it, pick out the guard hairs, and card and spin it all. I plan on making them some hats or maybe some socks out of it. I will blend their cashmere with some merino I've purchased, to give whatever I make a little more durability.
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My brother just got married, so I made him and his wife a little cross-stitch sampler. I'm waiting for the frame to get here so I can mount it and send it to them. They'll have a present waiting for them when they get back from their honeymoon.
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Have you seen "Lie To Me" on Fox? Great show, I didn't used to like Tim Roth, but he's so good as Dr. Lightman! There's good twists to each show that are surprising, and of course there's the drama of the people working with Dr. Lightman. "The truth will set you free".
And speaking of finding truth and lies....
I was one of the people banned from Ravelry last week. It seems those of us on Ravelry who have a very conservative voice aren't much liked around there. That's just fine by me, but what is interesting is that I requested that Casey remove my account from Ravelry some time ago, due to the censorship he was showing to only those who were conservative-minded and not kissing up to him, his wife or their employees. He wrote back and said that there wasn't any censorship, but that the moderators wouldn't do their job right (lie) and removal couldn't be done (weird, he wrote all the code for the site, so why wouldn't he remove my account?). Fine. I removed all my pictures and info from there and figured if I absolutely HAD to get on there, well, I guess it'd be okay since Casey wouldn't remove my account. So, weeks later, I went on there to ask a question of a friend on Ravelry about a pattern, and it said I wouldn't be able to log on anymore and to contact their lawyer if I had any questions! Since I did ask to be removed, I didn't think it was all that odd. But when I went onto the Bunker's forum board (independent forum board) to see what my fellow Bunker friends were talking about. Turned out that everyone who had been a part of the old McCain/Bunker Group was permanently banned from Ravelry!! The excuse was that people were linking to Ravelry from independent sites and were clogging up the bandwidth or something. My question is this: The lib group called "Rubberneckers" has an independent forum as well, and I can only assume they, too, would link to Ravelry, yet they are allowed to be a part of Ravelry...interesting, isn't it?
Look, it's Casey's site, whatever, what I have a problem with is the "I've been picked on by those meanie conservative chicks" whinning that he and Jess are doing all the time now. Just tell the truth!!! Your liberal views compell you to feel threatened when there is an opinion opposite of yours! You can't stand that there are people who DARE have a voice that say something contrary to you. Sad. Very sad. I thought you liberals were supposed to be "tolerant".
And the drama doesn't stop there, either. There are people who purchased patterns on Ravelry and they had them stored in their Ravelry accounts and now they can't retrieve them. Isn't that a legal problem when you are holding someone else's property and they can't get to it? Hmmmm. Never read that in the FAQ's of Ravelry. I don't think we've seen the end of this . Casey and Jess have opened Pandora's box and it's going to be interesting to see what the outcome is.
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December 31, 2008 12:00pm
The New Year Approaches
Every year, we make small, non-binding promises (contradiction in terms, I know) called “Resolutions”. These are non-binding because they are not written down in legal prose and witnessed and signed. I looked up “New Year’s Resolution” on Wikipedia and it had this to say:
[It] is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned. (emphasis mine)
I don’t usually make New Year’s Resolutions for the simple fact that I’m not accountable unless others keep me accountable by asking about my resolutions all the time, and honestly, who’s gonna remember what I said by February anyway? So, in lieu of making my own, I thought I’d have fun listing knitting resolutions that are made each and every year by knitters everywhere.
Top 10 Knitting Resolutions
#10: Knit a sweater.
#9: Keep craft room clean on a regular basis..
#8: Learn to knit socks.
#7: Learn to knit lace.
#6: Make more time for knitting.
#5: Bust that stash!
#4: Promise not to buy yarn until "X" amount of stash is used up first.
#3: Knit for charity.
#2: Buy from LYS only (or at least more than last year).
#1: Get all your unfinished projects completed!
Here’s some tips that might help out with those promises you make in January. Keep a journal, and keep track of your progress to completing your goal. Also, keep your goals reasonable. Baby steps are easier to accomplish that trying to make yard-long jumps. And most importantly, have fun with whatever you are doing! If knitting isn’t enjoyable, what’s the point, right? Don’t keep looking at the goal you’ve set, and bemoan how far you are from completing it. Instead, know the goal, and don’t be in a rush. Progress is made one stitch at a time, delight in every one.
I sincerely hope next year is a wonderful one for you. One filled with happiness that you can pass on to others (knitting has this effect). Also, that you take joy in the everyday things along the way.
Happy New Year to you all and, may all your projects be pleasing to eye, hand and heart!
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Are you ready for Christmas? Does time go into hyper-speed right after Thanksgiving? I mean to say that I love this time of year, it just seems that time goes so very fast, that it kind of sneaks up on me.
I did make some gifts well ahead of time this year, though, so I feel real good about that, knowing that I will not be up until the wee hours of the morning on Dec. 25, binding off a project, and hastily wrapping it.
I remember when I was a kid, my Mom and I would always make Apple Butter for the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends for their Christmas gift from me. It’s an easy, inexpensive, yet thoughtful gift that people really enjoy. So I thought I’d share an Apple Butter recipe with you today. Hey, It’s December 17th, you still have time to make this, and give it to those you know right in your own neighborhood!
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| And if you're looking for a great present for that book-lover out there, get this book by Glenn Beck.
I know my theme today has been a homemade Christmas, but here’s a book I recommend that you get for yourself, or someone you know who likes a good story with a heart-warming message to it:
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So, no matter if you're having an old-fashioned homemade themed Christmas, or a store-bought one, let's not forget the REAL reason for this wonderful, blessed season:
Luke 1:31-38
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Luke 2:1-20
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
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11-28-08
Thanksgiving is over. Man, that goes quick! It takes two-to-three days to prepare for the feast and only 20 minutes to devour it. This year I mixed the old with the new. The old was a hand made crust from scratch, and the new was a pecan pie in a jar by SanSaba River Pecan Company. Add a few eggs, and some butter, mix it up with the pecan pie mix, pour in the pie pan, throw it in the oven for a little over an hour and presto! A perfect pecan pie! My husband is a pecan pie connoisseur, and he said it was "the best pecan pie" he'd ever had in his life. That's saying a lot, folks.
Well, now that the turkey's all eaten, we can start preparing for Chirstmas! That takes nearly a month to prepare for, and only 30 minutes to tear open all the presents, and be swamped in wrapping paper and cards. And you spend the rest of the day taking off the twist-ties from all the kids' toy packaging!!! Don't get me started....
In knitting, I finished a pair of soldier socks for a friend's grandson who is in the Army. I also have one sock done for my first original pattern. I call it: "Everted" which means inside-out. I call it that because it looks like a knit one, purl two rib, inside out. The yarn is Socks That Rock from Blue Moon Fibers. The color is Rare Gems (which means it's an over-dyed original that isn't duplicated). This is a free pattern.
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| Everted |
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Everted
This pattern for a women's small, but you can use whatever size fits your foot according to the gauge measurement.
Gauge: 7sts/12 rounds=1" for regular knitting.
Needles: 2.75mm (#2) circular needle
Yarn used: Blue Moon Fibers S.T.R. medium weight
Cast-On 60 stitches (or a multiple of three that gets the diameter you need) join in a round, being careful not to twist.
Ribbing:
Knit 1 in the back loop (Ktbl), purl 1. Repeat these two stitches to the end of round.
Knit this ribbing for 12 rounds or (approx. 1 ").
Cuff:
Round 1: *K1 st in the back loop (Ktbl), purl 2*. Repeat between the ** to end.
Repeat Round 1 for 25 rounds (approx. 2"), or however long you would like your cuff to be, including the 1" of cuff ribbing.
Heel: I used an afterthought heel. Here's a tutorial on that.
Foot:
Round 1: Repeat cuff pattern for the instep (top of the foot)stitches, knit straight across for the sole (bottom of the foot) stitches.
Repeat Round 1 until the foot measures 2 1/2" less than your actual foot length. You will add about 1 3/4" with your heel, and 1 1/4" with the toe. That will leave a little wiggle room in your sock incase of any shrinkage that might occur with washing.
Toe:Round 1; Needle 1: K1, K2tog, k to the last three sts, ssk, k1.
Needle 2: K1, K2tog, k to the last three sts, ssk, k1.
Round 2; Needle 1: Knit across.
Needle 2:Knit across.
Repeat these two rounds until you have 1/2 the original number of cast-on stitches. Kitchener stitch closed.
Make your afterthought heel.
Weave in all ends.
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| Afterthought Heel |
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This is my favorite time of the year. The leaves on the trees are changing, the air becomes crisp and cool. Walking in the woods, then coming inside the house all snuggly warm. Eating good, hot soups, and the smell that pervades the house when you make apple pie, gingerbread, and other delightful tasties.
Knitting gets better as the temperature turns colder, too. There's nothing like curling up on the couch and settling in to knit away on that sweater you didn't finish last year...or creating a warm, fuzzy baby blanket for a friend or family member's baby. How about a pair of thick, perfectly comfortable socks for the winter months ahead? All these things and more make Autumn my favorite time of year. So, to celebrate, I thought I'd share some great recipes that warm you inside and some knitting patterns to warm you on the outside as well...
BEEF AND BARLEY SOUP
1 lb stew beef or hamburger
8 cups water
1 pkg beef bouilliion
14 oz can of tomates
1 cup celery (chopped fine)
1 cup carrots
1 cup onoin
1/2 cup barley
1/4 cup parsley
salt and pepper to taste
garlic to taste (optional)
Brown beef In 2 tbls oil. Add 8 cups waater to pot and boil, then simmer 1 1/2 hours. Take out meat and shred (with hamburger you don't need to brown in oil or shred).
Dissolve bouillion in 1/2 cup of water. Add vegEtables and bouillion to pot. Add Barley, parsley spices and meat.
Simmer until barley is cooked.
SQUASH NEW ORLEANS
2 acorn squash
2 slices bread, crusts removed
2 strips bacon, crisply cooked and diced
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, minced
2 eggs, well beaten
2 tablespoons buttered crumbs
dash of parsley and paprika
In a skillet, saute bacon. Drain away half the fat. Chop bacon and set it aside.
Split squash into quarters and boilin in salted water until tender (20-30 minutes). Remove skin and mash.
Soak bread in water enough to cover for a few minutes; squeeze moisture out.
Melt the butter in the skillet with the bacon and lightly saute the onion and garlic. Return bacon to the pan when onion is translucent; add the bread, mashed squash, and eggs.
Butter an ovenproof casserole dish and spread squash mixture evenly in dish. Sprinkle buttered bread crumbs, a dash of paprika and a pinch of parsley.
Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until top is browned.
Serves 4.
HARVEST POTATO CASSEROLE
6 c. frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
1/3 c. chopped onion
2 c. dairy sour cream
1/4 tsp. ground pepper
2 lb. little smoked sausage links
1 c. shredded American cheese
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 tsp. salt
Combine all ingredients except sausage and cheese. Put in baking dish. Arrange sausage links on top of potato mixture. Cover. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over top; bake uncovered 5 minutes more. Yield: 6-8 servings. Sprinkle with paprika, optional.
HARVEST PIE
2 homemade or pre-prepared pie crusts
5-6 Granny Smith apples
1-2 Cortland (or other red) apples
1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 cup fresh cranberries
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
few drops vanilla
1/4 cup half and half (to brush top of pie)
2-3 tablespoons white sugar (for sprinkling)
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Wash, peel and core apples. Slice into half inch thick slices and mix both kinds of apples together. Sprinkle with lemon juice.
Combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg. Sprinkle a few drops (not too much) of vanilla over brown sugar.
Spread apple slices inside bottom pie shell and top with remaining ingredients evenly (except for white sugar and half and half).
Cut second pie crust into strips and twist into a spiral; lay across top of pie to make a decorative top crust. Brush with half and half (half milk, half cream). Sprinkle with granulated white sugar across top of pie.
Bake in preheated oven at 425°F for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 and continue cooking for another 30 minutes or until is golden brown and filling is bubbly.
| GINGERBREAD COOKIES |
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1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. shortening
1/2 c. dark molasses
1/4 c. water
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
Beat sugar, shortening, molasses and water in a large bowl on low speed until blended. Beat on medium speed 1 minute. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, 1 to 2 hours.
Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Sprinkle counter top with flour; turn dough onto surface. Roll dough with a rolling pin until 1/4 inch thick. Cut with gingerbread man cutter.
Lift cookies carefully with a large spatula onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate cookies with raisins (optional). Bake until set 8 to 10 minutes. Let cookies cool 3 minutes, then carefully remove from cookie sheet with a spatula.
Cool and decorate with frosting if you like. Makes about 1 dozen cookies.
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Super Easy Shawl Pattern
Yarn: Any worsted weight yarn
Needles: Size 13-15
Cast-On 2 stitches
Row 1:* Knit in the front and the back of the first stitch, knit to end.*
Repeat this row from * to * until work measures approx. 45 inches across.
Bind off stitches, weave in ends.
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Hello, fellow knitters! I know I’ve been quite a while and I have several things to tell. First off, my little 8 year-old won Best of Show at the County Fair for her embroidered tea towel! We’re so very proud of her! Her Mama got Best of Show for a knitted cardigan this year, not too bad, eh?
Do you know what this plant is?
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Poison Sumac~ Stay away from it!! I found that out the hard way, but I wear my rash proudly and talk of my sufferings like I was in a life-threatening situation and committed acts of bravery throughout it all (just being honest here folks, and if you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?). Needless to say, I’ve been unable to quilt or knit or do much of anything due to the itch and tenderness of my legs. Oh well. That’s what I get for dinking around the forest with shorts on. Let this be a lesson to you all out there, when traipsing through the woods, wear pants and stay away from the bad plants!
I just got back from making a surprise visit to my folks’
place out west. It was a surprise from my brother to our parents to celebrate their Anniversary. He flew me, and one of my sisters out there, and when they saw us, they just stood there completely amazed!!! It was great!!! The shocked look on their faces was priceless!!
I have been working on my Jolly Green Socks for the SFS group and I thought I’d be able to get them finished while I traveled out west, but unfortunately, I didn’t have enough yarn, so now that I’m home, I hope I can finish them very soon and get them sent off to Kim (the SFS leader) in Ohio.
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| Hello my fellow readers! Sorry for the long absence, but I had the worst cold last week Now I'm feeling a bit more myself again and am able to get back to writing the goings on.
I did get a little knitting done, though. I've been working on my cousin's baby blanket and here's a little pic of the progress so far. I'm going to have to go back and duplicate stitch in a few spots to buff off the rough spots, but I think it's going to turn out cute. I really hope she likes it.
BOOK REVIEWS
NON-FICTION
Knit On Down by The House of White Birches Press. I got this in my mailbox b/c I apparently forgot to send them the little postcard that says, "Don't send me this book"! I was a little perturbed, but then I opened it and oh my!! I love the patterns in this book! They are top down construction sweaters for adults, kids and babys. It also has a charity knitting section and a couple of sock patterns as well. I'm really impressed with the patterns and the pictures and plan to make several of the patterns they offer.
FICTION
"Sense & Sensibility" by Jane Austin. I absolutely love Jane Austin's writing. I first read "Pride & Prejudice" and I liked it, but then I read "Sense & Sensibility", and felt it surpassed the other for getting the reader into the characters' lives. The trials faced in this book are quite relivant to today. It's like Solomon said, "There is nothing new under the sun." Human nature never changes, and that of course, includes love entanglements as well. If you like a good love story that's not sappy, this is the book for you. And if you've already read this wonderful classic, why not read it again?
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| "Counting Sheep" Pattern |
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August 19, 2008
I DID IT!!!!
I finished my Brigit socks by the 15th, YIPPEE!!
On the right are my Ravelry Awards, HOORAH!!!
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| Brigit Socks~SockPut Event~ Ravelympics 2008 |
| Started: Aug. 8, 2008 Finished: Aug. 15, 2008 |
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August 12, 2008
WHAT'S NEW?
Ravelympics 2008 is going strong with dozens of participants finishing their projects with lightening speed. “Bob” Awards are being handed out a dozen a minute.
As for my competing, I am half-way to a full pair of socks. I have to say that I’ve very glad the pattern calls for a shorter cuff than most socks and therefore I can them done so much quicker. I think I’ll be done with these socks by the 15th and if I make that date, these will be the quickest pair of socks I’ve ever made.
I have learned so many neat things making these socks. I am working on making a tutorial of the cable knitting I’ve been doing w/o a cable needle. I finally understand now how to make this technique work and I want to share my information with you readers. You will be able to see the pictures on my “Tutorials” page when I’m done editing them.
WHAT'S ON THE NEEDLES?
Obviously, I’m still working on my Brigit socks, but I finished the Panda Cotton socks in time for one of my progeny’s birthday. I’m working on my JGS (Jolly Green Socks), too. The best time for me to work on them is when the kids and I listen to an audio book just before bedtime. It’s nice, because they are relaxed and quiet and we listen for about a half-hour or so and I can get several rounds done on both socks in that time.
BOOKS!!!
Non-fiction Beyond Wool Knitted Projects by Candace Eisner Strick
This book is informative about different natural fibers and has several nice patterns you can make from them.
Fiction
Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore
This book was written in 1869 is the story of John Ridd and his life as a farmer in Exmore, England. His father was killed by the robber gang known as the Doones, when John was a small boy. John never vows vengence on the Doones for this hateful crime, and tries to live his life with his mother and sisters, but his life and that of his family are forever entangled with that of the hateful robbers and murderers.
I enjoy the romantic language that Mr. Blackmore uses in his writing. I also like this book because of the values that it teaches with out the least bit of preaching. John Ridd is a good, honest man who faces extraordinary peril for those that he loves and although not “high-born”, is a gentleman to the bone.
If you enjoy audio books, I highly recommend getting
Lorna Doone narrated by Charlton Griffin.
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August 4, 2008
Dear Readers,
My apologies! What a way to start a newsletter, eh? I said it would be weekly, and here we are at not 7 days later from the first one, but 10 days! Yikes! But, as knitters out there can understand, sometimes we don't finish a project when we have set a deadline and then try to do better next time, right?
WHAT'S NEW?
Paradise Fibers have some pre-dyed sock blocks that you knit up and create one-of-a-kind socks. These are different from Knit Picks Sock Blanks where you dye the blank of machine-knit yarn. I like both ideas. I would love to start dying my own socks, some time soon, but there are some awesome advantages of not needing to,and still getting really cool color combinations from the Paradise Fiber sock blocks.
Ravelry is having the 2008 RAVELYMPICS !!!! It starts the same day as the 2008 Olympics in Bejing, on August 8, 2008. You pick the "event" you want to participate in, and by "entering" that event, you promise to finish the project by August 24, 2008, Bejing time. Here are the Ravelympics events this year:
Afghan Marathon
Amigurumi-n-Toys Toss
Baby Dressage
Bag-n-Tote Backstroke
Balance Beads
Cable Steeplechase
Colorwork Cross-Country
Cowl Jump
Designers Discus
Fantasy DecKnitathalon
Felted Freestyle
Free-For-All Freestyle
Fleece to Finished Fencing
Glove Decathlon
Gift Knits Pentathlon
Hand-Dyed Hurdles
Handspun Heptathalon
Hat Dash
Holiday Handball
Home-Stuff Hammerthrow
Itsy Bitsy Bikini Breaststroke
Laceweight Long Jump
Mitten Medley
Pets Pommel Horse
Scarf Stroke
Shawl Relay
Sock Put
Sweater Sprint
Synchronized Flirty Skirts
Vest Vault
WIPs Wrestling
I joined TEAM SOCKTOPUS, and entered the Sockput event with the Brigit Socks made with Lorna's Laces Sock! Merino in the color "What-a-melon".
The challenge is that you have 17 days to finish your project and turn in the picture to Ravelry. The prize for those that finish will be a "I DID IT!" badge for their blog.
Should be a lot of fun checking it out every day to see how people are getting along in their Ravelympic events.
WHAT'S ON THE NEEDLES?
I am one heel short of finishing the Panda Cotton socks. I've not gotten very far on my Jolly Green Socks for SFS, but once the toe increases are done, they will go pretty fast.
BOOKS!!!
Non-fiction
This week, I wanted to feature my personal favorite knitting book
Interweave Knits Favorite Socks. I have had more fun with the patterns from this book! I have also made more patterns from this book than any other book in my personal library. There are many different skill levels in these patterns so don't think they are "only for experienced knitters". Even someone new at knitting socks can make a pair or two right at the git-go and then move up a notch on the difficulty level of the pattern with some of the other patterns.
The great thing about knitting socks is that you only have just a few things to learn, like how to shape the toe and heel. The cuff and the foot of the sock need to be X inches depending on your sock wearer. So once you get those things figured out, then you simply make the same sock over and over again, except you use a different pattern for the cuff (lacy or ribbed) and foot (plain or patterned just like your cuff).
Fiction
Beau Geste by P. C. Wren
This is a story of three brothers, a diamond worth millions and a murder mystery in the Sahara desert. An old book, it was written in the early 30's, and is a classic tale of brotherly love, family devotion and what it means to sacrifice for another. I have re-read this book recently and I was just as moved by it as the first time I picked it up many years ago. A book for all ages!
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July 25, 2008
Hi there! I’ve got to say that I’m very excited!! This is the first “issue” of THE KNITTING BASKET. It will be a weekly update on what’s going on in the world with knitting. There will also be updates on what’s on my needles, and on my spinning wheel, along with book reviews of non-fiction knitting instruction or technique books, as well as the latest fiction or non-fiction books I’ve read (or listened to). So, sit down, make yourself comfortable, grab your knitting and enjoy!
Fall Fashion time! The Interweave Knits and the Vogue Knitting are coming out soon. They have beautiful Autumnal designs. My problem is always wanting to knit something from a magazine, but by the time I’ve finished it, it’s two seasons later. Probably why I stick to knitting socks, at least then I can enjoy my project during the correct time of year that it’s made for.
KNITTING IN THE NEWS
Knitting Daily TV Show begain on July 20, 2008 on PBS (in selected areas).
Stitch n' Pitch
The Temecula Valley News did a nice article of the Lake Elsinore Storm’s first Stitch n’ Pitch here Local Yarn Stores In Decline?
Marketplace wrote about the “sad decline” in sales for LYS here
*On that note, our LYS, Red River Yarns, is closing soon (August 2). It’s the only yarn store for about 60 miles around, and people just won’t drive that far (like they used to) for a yarn purchase. We're very sorry to see it go.
WHAT’S ON THE NEEDLES
I just received my order from Knit Picks which was eight skeins of Essential sock yarn: 4 in “Sarge” (Olive Drab) and 4 in “Buckskin” (Desert Tan). I will be knitting up two more pairs of Socks For Soldiers with them, of course.
I have one more mitten to go, to finish the second pair of mittens out of my handspun Corriedale (see pictures page). This yarn is not as soft and smooshie as BFL, but I like it none the less. I don’t find it itchy, and it has a nice sheen to it, also.
Always knitting socks, and I’m nearly done with the mate to a pair I’m making out of Panda Cotton (bamboo and cotton). The color way is called “Roses”, but I find it looks more like pink camouflage. Other than the color combo, I really like the feel of the fabric from this yarn. The next pair I make from Panda Cotton will be a solid, I think.
BOOKS
Knitting, the Complete Guide by Jane Davis “This book is one of those foundational references you can rely on for years to come. From its easy-to-use lay-flat format, to the collection of 200 pattern stitches, this book is a quick and easy guide to all things knitting. The techniques and insight you glean from this book can be applied to any project, such as the socks, gloves, hat, and sweater projects featured inside.“
Right Ho, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
This book gets you to fall in love with the life of Bertie Wooster, a man about town, and his “ Gentleman’s Gentleman“, Jeeves. Although Bertie gets into twists and tangles, his man, Jeeves is there with his wonderful ideas, to straighten everything out.
Well, that's all for this week. Take care of yourselves, get plenty of knitting for a full and happy life!!
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