Knitting Crochet, and life in the "Post Dad" Era...

There has been a very good reason why there hasn't been much posted since last time. Which can be summed up in one brief statement of fact- Dad died.

For years his health had been slowly deteriorating. To the extent of my having to carry Dad across the living room the last day he was home. (Before years of drinking, old age,and an entire littany of other health problems hit, Dad was vibrantly in love with nature and life itself. Fond of his gardening,and his other pursuits. He wasn't a tiny man...stood five-ten and weighed in at around 180 lbs. But,the years and drinking took it's toll in an excrutiatingly slow manner..which was hell to watch...and,without a power of attorney my hands were tied! Anyway, at the last, he wasn't much taller than I am, and, weighed in at just over 90 lbs..and too weak to stand,walk, let alone sign his name!)

On September 27 with the help of neighbors I was able to get Dad to the VA..with a few nightmarish twist and turns along the way with a ventilator thrown in. We, the Love's had hoped that he'd rally for one last good battle! He gave it his best shot, but,just couldn't pull it off! After nearly a week in Hospice care he passed peacefully and quietly in his sleep. I honestly don't know if I could've taken it seeing him prior to the mortuary preparing him for burial. (I think that's why Uncle Allen didn't want to take me up there that Saturday night Daddy went to be with Momma...)

Jesus,freakin' Christ!!! I always said that I would go basket case...but, Damn it to hell, I KNEW Dad wouldn't have wanted me to lose it...well, at least not till I got at least MOST of the business dealt with! He hated crying and tears in general...So..I did what he always called "Brave Soldiering it"...Tell you this, I was so damned numb inside,but,thankful for it -and,feel guilty for it! But, I also had firmly remembered Dad warning me several times NOT to let Uncle Allen muscle in...so,hey, I listened.

Have I ever mentioned that I REALLY wanted to kick my Stepmother's butt to hell and back?
First off that ring tailed bitch had her rapist murderous son in MY spot next to Dad at the grave yard..Hell, she CHEERED on that bastard when he had his greasy nasty hands around Dad's neck,slowly squeezing the life out of Dad...(Damn well didn't help matters that that damned paid whore of his cheered her little darling on, WANTING my Dad dead in cold blood!- Then the fact that that inbred white trash son of a bitch tried to kill me, THEN had the balls to rape me?! I damn well wasn't having MY Dad buried next to that inbred,poor white cracker trash filth!- If I didn't already hate that cunt,THIS would've been enough to drive me to it!- Too bad I'm NOT a male,else, I'd have just pulled it out and pissed on Mike's grave!)

But, I held it together...I KNEW it had to be done with class and dignity,so, I did my best NOT to make a scene and raise hell...while it wouldn't have done any good, I would've felt better..but, on the other hand I would've shamed my family- which I wasn't going to have any of! Cut and dried! (If I had been at my nastiest, I would've taken utter delight in depriving that bitch of going to Dad's funeral...but, I wasn't...well,maybe I was,subconsciously...but, am stubborn enough to keep my big mouth shut,thank you!)

Looking back three weeks, I realize that in a lot of ways emotionally and psychologically,I was in a deep freezer that was colder than Siberia AND the North Pole combined! Maybe I still am? Have no clue...I just know that about all I can deal with is taking it all as it comes.

But,in terms of the funeral...I astonished myself with how well it all went..hell...I was so numb, that I didn't realize until after the fact, that I had managed to color coordinate the funeral,for God's sake- How proper or appropriate is that?!

It was a military funeral,due to Dad being a WW2 vet...so, I went with red,white, and blue...with silver accents. Dad didn't have anything in his closet that fit him. So, I bought him
a nice pair of khaki's and a pretty blue plaid shirt for the Mortuary to dress him in.

I was aghast with knowing that my stepmother had talked Dad into picking a hideous,green casket just so SHE could get the pretty blue one! Ugh! Can't tell you how glad I was to put a stop to that petty stupidity! But, I had no way of knowing that what Dad had paid for was discontinued! So, I chose the best I could out of the options I had to choose from. So, I went with the Phoenix vault...Mid grade steel...painted blue and silver. (I really didn't have much of a choice for the personalization- went with the US Army logo for that.) The casket I chose was Antique Blue with Eagles, Silver Trim that said "Going Home" inside...

For the funeral stationary, I went with the "Peaceful Retreat" set..(With a Thomas Kinkade painting theme.) For the customary poetry in the program, I went with the following-
I am not there

Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of birds in circling flight.
I am the star shine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room,
I am the birds that sing.
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

I still have Dad's flag. It's put away,complete with some of the bullet casings from his twenty one gun salute. I even have the cassette of the funeral,but, wish I didn't have it. I've been through it once, and it was hellish enough. I don't need to hear it repeatedly, it hurt enough to be there as it was happening! (I really don't see the point in re-living it day after day- like Jewel did when Mike died. It drove Dad and I nearly to the loony bin that winter! But, each person mourns in a different way.) I'll take the cassette of the funeral to Jewel at the care home...but, I'll make sure that I warn them of what she may do- play it repeatedly,over and over. But, if she wing nuts,I'll make sure that Uncle Allen gets it! I just want rid of that damned cassette! That can't happen soon enough for my preference and liking!

Okay, now that it's taken me three weeks to even start venting..I'll get to the knitting.

I never did get to finish the blanket I was knitting for Dad. He saw it,liked it, and wanted it....but, that's besides the point,now...but, the point is Knitting plays a huge part for the quiet,introspective part of the mourning process. (I've always been one that needs 'keep busy busy work in one way or another.)

So, I'll close with this- I Love You,Daddy...and,I majorly miss you!
I'm just hoping that where ever you are, that you're with Momma...I also hope that you've already told her that I love and miss her too! Just like I do with Momma, I'll do my best to keep your memory alive, just like with hers. I also hope that you're okay,and,not suffering anymore!

In loving memory of Jack Lee Love
born June 20,1925, died October 20,2007....

I love you,Daddy....


Nita

And, Now I Know The Rest of the story...

I think the subject line pretty much says it all- and, now I know what the big deal is about Addi circs! These are amazing needles..and oh, so worth the $15 I spent on 'em....

I'm making progress with the Argosy baby ghan..However, I can't go any further with it until I get a larger circ than what I have. ( I'm going to have to order from Knit Picks to get the size cable I need...meaning I need a 60" size 7 needle to go any further. )

Saturday, I also made a killer scrap yarn acquisition...I'd gone to the DAV and bought out all the acrylic worsted they had...$9...worth- and had enough to fill a tall kitchen trash bag! So, I'm going to have to find a really good use for that as well...Should be interesting, although, I sure don't see many knitting patterns that call for acrylic worsted...bummer...

Other than that,until I can get batteries for my digital camera, there's really not a lot to tell...

Nita

Tardy again...( Nothing new, is it?)

Yes! I know, I haven't been punctual in posting and letting y'all know what's up with me..so, I'll give you a little run down- other than the tunes playing as you read...there is a bit new to tell.

No, I still haven't finished that baby ghan, just yet. (Still at the same spot I was before the last time- 4 squares, assembly, and edging left...)

The knitted dishcloths I made and gave Mom were a hit- apparently they're very comparable to the crochet ones I did! So, the Window Pane Seed stitch pattern is a keeper!

I DO have another project going. Last night I started another baby blanket. This one in the Agrosy pattern. ( The story behind that is that this one lady, I don't remember her name..Vivian,maybe? Submitted a scarf pattern to Knitty...and it was published. Well, people must've really been groovin' on it, and there are now several other items made, based off that stitch pattern. - The baby blankie pattern I'm doing based off that is the one that one of the ladies from Mason Dixon had done up, adding her own touch to it....
http://inahappycamper.eponym.com/blog/_WebPages/FreePatterns.html

(Just scroll down to the white baby blanket...- that's the pattern I'm using. Only thing is, I'm not using that expensive Rowan yarn it calls for in the pattern. I'm doing mine with Lion Brand Pound of Love in Pastel Green...)

Now, about that blanket, I LOVE that pattern stitch! It's a lot of fun to do...and I like the yarn I'm using for it,also...using size 6 needles is just the ticket with this yarn! However, the only down side so far is that the size 6's I have are 14" straights! So, I really can't go any further with it,until I get me a circ...( I'm thinking I'm going to need a 60" size 6 Circular for this...)
What I've learned SO far into this new project- ssk...yes! ssk! I'd attempted this before and didn't quite get HOW it was done..but, tried it again THIS time and got it! (Yay me!)...Not to mention that my k2tog isn't as tight as it had been...hm...Not only am I learning, I'm also having a bit of positive progress! I certainly cannot complain about that!!

I also think the Argosy baby blankie pattern would also be really equally as striking if done up oh, say, for an adult sized ghan, or even a lapghan...

Other than that, there's really not much new going on to talk about that is crochet, knitting or yarn related...But, that's really the latest in this neck of the woods!!

Hiya Hiya Circular Needles...

OMG...these are freakin' awesome circs!!! LOVE how smooth the joins are, and the feel of the needles when knitting with them! SO totally worth the $9 I spent on 'em at Twisted's! I tried them out doing a little sample swatch with some Lion Brand Pound of Love, in a basket weave pattern. Let's just say I fell in love with how smooth the joins are, and how effortlessly my yarn danced along the needles...SO, I use the British Method, and don't know beans about the other method... I safely can say that when I buy more circular needles, it will be worth the extra trip to Twisted for 'em. Big time worth it!

Speaking of which, I don't think it's going to be any problem to trust the lady at Twisted's to recommend a new set of size 7 straights for me. I already know I really don't want those plastic Crystal Palace Daisy needles. No, I think I'll try out either the Brittany's or the Crystal Palace bamboo needles. Lucky for me, I don't need to replace any of my crochet hooks. I'm as happy as a lark with my Susan Bates Silvalume Crochet Hooks. So, that's not a problem. Although, maybe at some point, I might try out the Brittany Crochet Hooks.

I'm also really really looking forward to the KIP ( Knit in Public) Meetup Saturday Morning...and the sweater class at Twisted's next month, too...I can't wait for the chance to do both of them! I can't help but think maybe I'll learn something new that will make me a better knitter- I hope. ( Honestly, I'd like to eventually be as comfortable with knitting as I already am with crocheting.)

You all know full good and well that I'm going to make another trip to Twisted this month, and I'm going to ask what the pattern for class is going to be, so I can plot and plan the yarn so I can make it for "Little Britches"....(My little second cousin, Duane Lee.) Okay, so Lisa didn't say anything about making him a sweater. But, hey, the kid needs one! Or more than one!! SO many CUTE baby sweaters, nowhere near enough time to tackle 'em all, either! Kansas gets butt freezing cold..and I'm ALL for making sure "Little Britches" has ENOUGH winter gear to keep him warm!

Although, quite honestly, I think he's going to get three baby blankies before I'm finished...The Paraquet one I have started, a basket weave blankie done in Denim Pound of Love, and this blankie-
Tilted Blocks baby blankie

Now, the question is, finding the perfect yarn, in the perfect color! Hm...Guess I'll have to get nosey and see what I can find, and find just the PERFECT color...but,naturally, I want something soft,cuddly, and really really nice for him..but,at the same time, easy care. ( I don't think Lisa will want to fool with hand washing a baby blanket!)

As for the sweater thing, I found the most ADORABLE baby sweaters at the Crystal Palace Site...it would be JUST perfect for "Little Britches"!- Only thing is, I'll have to see if Twisted's have the yarn for it!- You can find it here-

Baby Middy

THIS is SO cute...would be perfect for him. Only thing is, I really don't think using white as the Main Color would be such a good idea! You haven't seen this child go after his beloved Cheese Curls! He'd have it stained up in NO time! So, I'm thinking maybe either going with the Celadon Blue as the main color, and white as the Contrast.
This: Kimono
Or This: Striped Sweater
Would be welcomed additions to his wardrobe, I think.

I have to admit that the patterns I've shared the links for are just the types of things I'd dress MY Son in, if I had a son! (The Striped Sweater, and another sweater pattern I already have would be perfect with jeans on him...The Sailor Middy sweater would be perfect for a dress casual occaision with khaki's...the Kimono would be a good knock around at home thing for him.)

There was also a kind of cute Noro Baby Sweater on the DIY site,too, but, I just can't fathom the practicality of making a sweater for a little kid in that yarn when it's NOT easy care, and at nearly $9 a pop...and it calls for nearly 10 skeins of the stuff? What?! For a baby sweater, and knowing how itchy regular wool is? NOT a practical idea, no matter how gorgeous the coloration of the Noro Kureyon is? I'd have to say it's out of the question, and doesn't make sense. Think about it! Kids, especially babies grow SO quickly...it just doesn't make sense to spend THAT kind of money for ONE garment, or the materials to make said garment! (Although, I've heard that Superwash wool is a lot softer..major plus there, is that it's machine wash...What I find really cool and intriguing about Superwash wool is that something so simple as treating wool with - get this, GLUE of all things goes a long way towards making it washable! And, given that Merino Wool is A LOT softer than the other, regular itchy wool intrigues me, as well! - Speaking of which, Mom was really pleasantly shocked with how soft Merino is against her skin, given her wool allergy...Who would've thought!

But, where I'm REALLY having problems is finding really cute baby booties and hats for him.

So far, I've found the type of hats I'd LIKE to make...but, one isn't in baby size for him..
This: Tasseled Hats
I LOVE this hat, and in the RIGHT yarn, it would be adorable on him! ( I think it could work for either a girl OR a boy.)
Entrelac Baby Hat

This is absolutely adorable and perfect...My color choices? In the Panda Cotton, Seascape and the Lime green looking color...Or maybe even the Blueberry Grape and Royal Purple. However, I'm totally clueless as to how to make this one, no matter how cute it is!

The other pattern isn't a freebie available on line, it's in a Rowan book at Twisted..the same book that has another baby sweater pattern that would be perfect for Little Britches! ( To the tune of $16.95..) Not to mention the cute basic baby beanie pattern in it.

The only baby bootie pattern I saw that I even remotely considered is the Ugg pattern on DIY...
This: Suede Booties

But, $30 alone just for the yarn? Ugh....I don't know if that's a good idea...Another question is I'm not at all sure if that sort of yarn is going to be easy care or not! Even if those booties are adorable, I can't see spending THAT much for yarn just for a pair of baby booties! Again, babies grow SO quickly...and do keep in mind, that "Little Britches" is just a year old, and while he's tiny for a year old, he's still going to be growing quickly!

Well, that's the latest babblings...And, no, I still haven't gotten more batteries for my digital camera,yet, and, yes, I know I really should, so I can share what's on my needles...

Nita

Happy August!!!! ( Or is that Lammas??) And, what do YOU have on YOUR needles???

Okay...I've been a very bad girl, in terms of forsaking my main passion...crocheting...I think Aunt Ann had it right when she said that I'm one determined female..( Well that wasn't her exact words...but, that's what it boiled down to..) And, maybe I am? Anyway, I worked through my little difficulty with k2tog. I can do it..but, I ran into ANOTHER problem while tackling the fan and feather...Now, I'm getting MORE stitches on the needles than what I'm supposed to have. I'm NOT in the least worried over it. I figure I'll figure out the solution to the problem soon enough. SO, NOT a big deal...And, I'm okay with that. I think it's just part of that learning curve...and everyone knows all about that critter, do we not?

Okay, now to get you all caught up...

My order from Knit Picks arrived just eight days after I placed it! I was delighted with how expedient the delivery service was...and the yarn is just gorgeous! No, I haven't done anything with any of it...except for wind down one of the yanks...( I LOVE how soft and silky the alpaca feels against my fingers!!! And the Stream Blue is GORGEOUS!!! I LOVE that shade of blue!) However, I had a problem...I found using to kitchen chairs back to back didn't work to well...not to mention the fact that I also had Molly trying to get at it...Yes, I know that's strange- a dog gunning for the yarn...but, Molly thought it was a toy! ( Dad thought it was comical....then again, he was praising Molly to the skies for her devious behavior over it! Oh yes, Miss Molly thought she was the Over grown Puppy Sensation that was a grippin' the nation, as it were...Then again, HER Human Papa was telling her what a good baby she was! LOL...- Which is a good thing in her world, I suppose...Molly DOES adore her human Papa...although HE sometimes can't decide if she deserves a good babying, or a good scolding!) - So, that means bellying up and getting one of those fancy yarn winder thingies... ( Then, next comes finding just the PERFECT patterns to use the stuff and make something wicked cool for those I picked out the yarn FOR..)

Now, for what's ON my needles...well, my size 7's....I'm nearly finished with the squares for the Paraquet baby blankie pattern ( It's in one of those Bonus Bernat books you can get at Wal Mart for the Bernat Baby coordinates Sweet Stripes. The 97 cent one...) - I've got 30 of the 36 squares it calls for completed and assembled. I'm working on square 31....- However, I had an extra expendature to make so I COULD complete the project..a size 7 circular needle. I had a bit of a problem with that, as it were...Wal Mart OR Michael's West didn't have 'em. SO, I had to make an extra trip....which in and of itself wasn't a bad thing. (Yes, I know....I gripe and groan about extra expendatures and the like...but, in this case, it was a trip I didn't mind making...- seeing as I was in the down town/ Delano area, anyway.- Had to go to SRS....)Anyway, I stopped in at that new yarn shop here in town....Twisty...( Well, don't tell the lady that owns it, but, Dad's taken to calling it "Warped and Twisted"...I just call it Twisted.) - Let's just say that I COULD get my self into DEEP financial doo-doo if I were to frequent there too often....Wowza...the yarn that lady's carrying is gorgeous, to say the least...and it's the high end stuff I drool over and wish I could afford... Noro, the Rowan, Debbie Bliss, Berocco...all that yummy good stuff....Not to mention the needles.. Anyway... I HAD to have that circular needle to finish off the blankie for "Little Britches"...and Point Protectors were needed...okay, I can justify that $10 spent as necessity. But, I DID splurge...I broke down and bought some Noro Kureyon...( Color 188.).... With the express intent of making a winter scarf with it for me..( Yes, I actually bought yarn intended for something for me, for once.) The kicker is, I don' t think two balls of the stuff is going to be enough....- And, at $8.50 a pop... I'm naturally a little concerned at the total expendature for THAT intended project! ( Ugh...Brilliant Move, Genita Lee! YOU didn't do your homework, did you, girl?!) - SO, yeah, for the foreseeable future, you're going to hear me getting all drooly over what I see, and wish I had as I shop there...LOL...

Now, for what my fingers are grooving on lately....the feel of the stuff, and how it works up...Okay, yes, once again, I'm going to be torking off the fiber snobs again....but, hey, a girl does what she's gotta do to keep the addiction going, right? ( And in a way that her wallet isn't going to hate her for it!) So, here's the short skinny of it, Nita style....

After working up a few of those squares for that baby blankie I mentioned for my little second cousin, Duane Lee... I found I LOVED how the stuff knits up...I think it knits up way better than it crochets up, if you ask me.... Not to mention that sparkly ply that's woven into it...it just makes that yarn shimmer and pop when it's knitted up. Not to mention how soft it feels against my fingers as I work with it! ( So, I KNOW with Little Britches thing for soft cuddlies, this blankie may be a favorite, I hope!)

Not to mention the fact that the stuff is wallet friendly....( $3.47 a skein at Wal Mart!) So, I can imagine that it wouldn't take much of it to knit up baby hats and booties- probably less than an entire skein... Not to mention that according to the hoodie pattern in that booklet, 2 skeins to make a baby blanket or a hoodie..- and that's NOT bad... Think about it- go to any store and try to buy those items pre-made, and it's going to cost you a lot more than what it would, if you were to make it yourself!

So, anyway, my next experiment- with out having to spend much to have the necesesary equiptment and materials is going to be experimenting with how the Red Heart Baby Soft, and Bernat Baby Softee knits up...- while getting my hands on those two yarns is no problem...the BIG problem and issue is finding the patterns...( Since I already did my home work on this experiment, in the pre planning/ Pre- Execution phase has already been done, I KNOW I can get the yarns needed at Wallie World...and the needles at Twisted's. - NOT a problem, consequently. But, the BIG issue is finding just the RIGHT, PERFECT patterns....)

Now, the reason WHY I say it isn't a big problem in terms of that is that I don't MIND having to get on the city bus to go get what I need for the experiment/ projects in mind is that I don't have to fool with shipping and handling...I mean really! $2.50 round trip on the city bus is way better than anywhere between $3.79- $10.00 alone for shipping and handling is way MORE wallet friendly, and there's no down time waiting for the goodies to arrive, as it were. Go buy the stuff, and dig in!!! Now, that's MY kind of knitting, and experimentation! - But, finding the PERFECT Patterns is the major problem, issue!

I admit it! I'm VERY picky! Recently, my eyeballs were assaulted and traumatized. I'd thought about picking up Candy Jensen's "Total Baby Knits" at Wal Mart....( I thought, well, hey, I'd heard A LOT of good things about her patterns/ designs for babies and toddlers...It wouldn't hurt to check it out and see what the fuss was....) Well...like I said, my eyeballs were NOT in a good place....While I really liked the little girl stuff in it, I was NOT impressed with what was offered for a little boy...Let's just say I thought it prudent to leave it right where I found it....and I came away with the impression that what I saw was NOT good enough for MY Little Britches, and what I saw was the type of thing that Mom and I describe as SO bad that we wouldn't want little Duane Lee seen in it...even if he were going to a dog fight, and he was the dog, and he'd won! *shudders* Yes! That BAD! Now, if he was a little girl, I'd strongly consider picking it up next trip to Wallie World...But, since I'm NOT in the market for new little girl patterns....I left it right where I found it, thank you! So, if you've got a little tiny boy to knit for, leave that one at Wal Mart...

I was at Michael's West Friday Afternoon, and was there to shop for knitting needles....well, they didn't have what I was looking for. ( Circular needles with a 16" cable/ cord on 'em...double pointed needles....and baby knitting patterns- hats and booties, mind you.) Wait! I take that back, I did find ONE pattern book I intend to go back and get- it had matching hats and socks in sizes that would be just right for Duane Lee, though. I didn't have enough cash on me to get it,though. So, I settled for a couple balls of Sugar n cream, and a dishcloth knitting pattern book- With a heart theme. ( I have the Seed Stitch Heart dishcloth on my 8 straights....and am 34 rows into it....- there are a total of 53 rows in the entire pattern.) - So, I'm almost finished with that little project...but, I REALLY should be getting stuff made up for Duane Lee for this winter,though.

Speaking of yarn...yes, back to THAT subject...( Geez...can we safely say I'm obsessed with that subject?) and speaking of Sugar n Cream...Again, I was suprised with how there IS difference in how the coloration plays up in terms of the contrast between knitting and crocheting....I really really LOVE how the Potpourri Print in the Sugar n Cream knits up..the coloration is just beautiful! I didn't like it as well crocheted- was kind of flat, plain and boring. But, knitted up? OMG....talk about some beautiful dishcloths!!! ( Definitely will make note of that in my knitting journal...) Anyway.....there you have it- the latest in terms of what turns on my fingers, and totally rocks my eyesight in terms of knitting these days!!!

Ugh...Not doing so swift with the knitting...

It's not like I haven't had anything on my needles..It's more like I'm utterly not satisfied with what results I was getting. For example, no matter how I try, or how careful I am to knit loosely, to an extent, when I attempt the Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth, the increasing part is a breeze! No biggie! That I can do, no problem! It's just when it goes to the decreasing part- I run into trouble- my knitting gets so tight by the second row of decreasing, that I can't even get my needle through the stitch properly when doing k2tog! Ugh...So, as you can well imagine, if I'm having problems doing that, I'm NOT having any luck at all with my attempts to do the Fan and Feather scarf I mentioned last time. OK. So, I'm not using the Noro stuff...I'm using what I've got on hand...Yes, acrylic worsted...I crochet, so, yeah, I'm going to have that stuff on hand. Logical conclusion,right?

It's also JUST as logical as to find ways TO eliminate the old stash to bring in the new, so to speak! So, here's the conclusion I've reached about Knitting and I, for now. I'm going to stick to the two dishcloth patterns I KNOW I can do, and not run into any problems...meaning the Seed stitch window pattern off of the Yarn Dreams blog, and Soxy's scrap knitted cloth. - Anyway, they're both easy, and really cool looking! Well, at least I think so...Oh yeah, I AM going to do a little experiment...once that yarn from Knit Picks I ordered comes in.

I ordered the following:

Knit Picks :Gossamer in Caribbean and Sweet Pea.

( It's a hand dyed merino lace weight wool..- Okay, I know I've said the stuff makes me itch- wool..but, I'm going to test this Merino stuff to see if it's as soft as they say it is...Not to mention the colors are fantastic... I think I'm going to save the Caribbean for some baby crocheting I have in mind...and the Sweet Pea MAY end up being a shawl for Aunt Mattie...)

Knit Picks: Shimmer in Maple Leaf and Stained Glass...
( It's a Baby Alpaca and Silk blend...again, in a lace weight.)

Knit Picks: Alpaca Cloud in Iris Heather and Stream Heather...It's 100 percent baby alpaca...again, in a lace weight.

OK...now, I know you're looking at me odd, seeing as for the most part, the finest yarn I've ever used has been that baby softee by Bernat....but, other than baby yarn, I tend to stick with Cotton Worsted or Acrylic Worsted..yes, I know the cheap stuff...the same stuff that fiber snobs turn their noses up and have fits of nausea over...LOL.. But, since I'm learning how to knit, this is going to be a multiple banger, as it were.

First- experiencing working with a yarn finer than what I'm used to.
second- experience the difference between using natural fibers in contrast to the synthetic fibers I'm accustomed to. - In a sense, I want to see just what the fuss is. Find out on my own what the big deal is, and what has those fiber/ yarn snobs going into conniption fits at the mere thought of acrylic worsted! LOL...
Thirdly- These are going to be gifts...I'm planning either the Iris Heather or the Maple Leaf for Aunt Ann...Aunt Mattie will have her choice between the Stream Heather and the Sweet Pea...(Well, actually, it's my cousin Cathy who's going to do the picking and choosing for Aunt Mattie, seeing as - with either yarn it's going to have to be hand washed and all that- I don't see them doing that at the Care Home in Eureka...)

Yeah, I know...I wasn't any too practical in a sense in terms of that,but, I have a few good reasons-
1. I couldn't find any pretty superwash wool yarn in a solid, or multicolored I liked well enough to spend more than I did...
2. You really can't beat a deal like that- getting a shawl out of ONE skein of yarn! (Yes, I know, it's lace weight.. but,still!) - It's such a good deal that it was far kinder to my pocket book- one skein of yarn for less than $5...it being the good stuff that fiber/yarn snobs fall all over themselves to get their paws on, as it were...
3. I was also going for light weight,but, still soft and warm. Let's face it, elderly people don't need heavy shawls made out of worsted weight- regardless of it's fiber content or whatever...I thought going light weight, and with the yarns I DID choose...would be more practical. And,soft. let's face it, elderly people's skin is especially delicate! Heck, they ARE delicate, if you think about it!

However, this other idea I've got brewing in the back of my mind is to take some of that Shimmer- more than one color and make a shawl using the stitch pattern for the Alicia Stitch..it's a vintage stitch adaptation pattern...the original came out in 1917, or so...maybe three colors in that- and make a shawl or stole out of that...Might be really pretty...and functional! ( I definitely LIKE functional!) Maybe next month?

I know I promised I'd have batteries for my digital camera...But, I guess that's going to have to wait until I can get to Wal Mart and pick some up. Then, hopefully I'll have plenty of photos to share and all that good stuff...

Happy stitching and oogling all the fiber goodness!!

Nita

A brand new world to me...

You know last time I said that knitting needles make far better weapons than they do crafting implements,right?



Well..I had my whole entire world shook up in a totally awesome way...and learned something yesterday- well..several things- if I'm going to be perfectly honest...first- I was making purling A LOT harder than it needed to be...and, once I had that little trick down, off I went like a bat out of hell, knitting till my fingers cramped up really good! Which isn't bad, I suppose, if your fingers are your creative outlet- and the yarn the medium, and knitting turns it into candy and orgasmic bliss for one's fingers..well...mine anyway...



The Second thing I Learned yesterday was that I'm positively wild about the look and feel of stockinette combined with a little moss stitch for texture interest, and touchy feely satisfaction- at least that's what my fingers were screaming..and my eyes? Oh boy...Definitely LOVE that combination!!!



I won't be able to share any pictures this time, as I need to get batteries for my digital camera..- and on top of that, I want to wait until what I've got on my needles has a bit of length to it so you guys can see the texture and all that...( But, I can and will share a link, here in a bit...)



Anyway, I'm hoping that adding knitting to my arsenel will help decimate my rather substantial yarn stash....- or Dad calls it my Twine! (Hence the reason why I named this blog Hook n Twine..) I also have been nosing around the internet oogling all the knitting goodies...stashing away patterns on my hard drive I want to try sooner or later..well, eventually, once I figure out how to do the parts of 'em I don't know at this point, that is.. Not to mention oogling the online sources for yarn and other related goodies...



If I'm not careful, I could probably bankrupt myself from ordering from some of them...and I'm very tempted to at least order something...Not sure what- maybe some new, better needles than what I've got..- I've got a couple of pairs of Quick Silvers...and they're okay, I'm just not wild about them. To me, they feel as if they grab the yarn really bad, and I tend to knit A LOT tighter with them....But, on the other hand, I LOVE how smooth and slick the Boye Hooks seem to be, despite the fact that it seems like every time I turn around, I'm buying new knitting needles...- aren't they supposed to last for years? And, be an investment as it were? - But, on the other hand, I also wouldn't half mind getting my hands on some of the books that they've got at Knit Picks...( The Sweater Workshop, and the Elizabeth Zimmerman books...) And, what I wouldn't give TO be able to afford some of the yarns I saw at the Patternworks website....- Yup, I was ooglin' and droolin'....while my eyes were enjoying champagne tastes on a beer budget!!! - Let's just say I'm VERY sorely tempted to get my hands on some of that Marco Polo Yarn...- it's cotton, but, the colors are SO gorgeous, it's almost a sin to look at 'em, I think! ( Then again, I feel the same way about the Noro Kureyon,too....- but, Wool makes me itch...SO that option is out the window...) SO, I don't feel ANY guilt at all for settling on giving Red Heart's Strata a try...and, I'd even cough up the $4 a skein for it at Wal Mart,too, for that matter...(TWO major plus factors- one the price $4 versus the $9 they want for the Noro..., the second- Strata is acrylic..so I don't itch...Seems like a good trade off to me!!)



Okay, now for that link....I've spent hours going through the Daily Knitter Website, seeing what all they had for free patterns...I found one over there I'm just itching to try....Okay- FIRST, the yarn the pattern was executed in caught my eye- Noro Kureyon...but, the pattern itself is equally as pretty....I thought it might make a great "Just because she's Mom Suprise" for my Mom!!! Not to mention I want to make one for myself!!



But, I'll play nice and make Mom's first...if only I can find something a little more special than I normally use..meaning whatever I can get my hands on at Wal Mart, or at the second hand store! Yeah, I know...Cheapskate,right?! Well, it's a case of making due with whatever I can get my hands on! But, for THIS I want it to be a little more special...for the simple fact I must have driven Mom nut case with all my belly aching and groaning when I was SO frustrated with not being able to pick up knitting as easily as I did when Aunt Linda taught me how to crochet...- I guess, What I'm trying to get across, is I want the finished suprise to be one of those jaw droppin' eyes buggin' out at the results kind of thing...and that isn't conclusive to what I normally can get my hands on....- and it's Mom! So hey!

Here's the link about what I'm babbling and obssessing over- http://karinspointeshoes.googlepages.com/home

Like I said LOVE this...and want to at least take a crack at it....( that is if I can figure out the parts of it I don't know yet...) ...but, anyway, That's the latest in my neck of the woods!!

Nita