ONE SHAWL, TWO SHAWL, CREAM SHAWL, PINK, BROWN, BIEGEY/CREAM SHAWL

Okay, and with that title you have to figure that I have finished the cream shawl, I'm abstaining from taking a pic until I come back from vacation. I'd like to get a really nice creative shot, since the last pic really was atrocious.

Since I was needing a knitting project to take along and I have this wonderful, and very thin yarn in the stash. Which I have decided to turn into another shawl. With what I learned from the recent pattern, I am creating my own design, which I'm enjoying. I scanned this pic because I'm not having any luck with the camera. I'm using #5 needles (3.75mm) Susan Bates Silvalume. I like the needles nylon cable it's not as twirly as the bamboo needles I use, but the tips oh slippery as the dickens. Yes, they have made me curse twice but I'm getting the hang of it. I also love the colors really soft and feminine.

Update on Shawl

I'm in love with the knitting on this one, it's a really easy pattern and with it I learned to do K2, YO, K2, which the YO was the part I didn't know how to do and it creates the little eyelets, very cuteypie.

Since I'm knitting on it for about two hours a day I have 2 .5 more skiens to finish and I'll have it completed for my trip. I started with 5 skeins of this bulky yarn which weighed a pound so each skein was 3.20 oz. (math whiz that I am hehe). So far it's 29" long x 40" @ the hypotenuse with about 7 oz to go I'm also loving the fact that I don't need to fringe it, as I twisted fringe last year for what seemed to be an eternity LOL. Sorry about the crappy pic, but I left my camera at home and had to use the company issued construction camera (very scary piece of equipment).

So now my mind is working on the next knitting project I need to take with me that I can do for the long drive (14 hours). The baby blanket is too cumbersome for the car and I'm going to need something portable and of course from my stash. Maybe I'll start the stash buster afghan, now what stitch... that will take a bit of research, cause I'd like to learn somthing new, I wanted to do it in Entrelac, my elusive confusing stitch, maybe that will be a good time to learn it after all I do have 14 hrs to kill.

New Knitting

I know, I know, I should not start yet another project, what with two on needles, but the baby blanket was driving me nuts and I needed to take some drastic measures so I decided to do a simple shawl. The pattern is here if your interested and I have another link to share for free knitting patterns here, maybe some of you know about it, but for those who don't I hope you enjoy browsing, I spent two hours on there yesterday lol, but I digress (see my mind is not concentrating lately, but oh well)

In keeping with my stash busting, I'm using yarn that I bought at the Rag Shop before they went out of business, I posted about it here, it wasn't labled as anything, but I know it's acrylic (I'm not itching hehe) it's bulky I'd say #5 and soft as buuuudder I'm knitting with my 10.5 circs but I wish I knew who manufactures it because I would buy more, what a great surprise to work with, really nice yarn. I'd like to finish before I leave on my trip in two weeks and I think I can accomplish it. I have not abondoned the blanket I'm leaving it to do during my lunch breaks at work. Maybe this will free up some of my time to plan some weaving, it's been too long since I've woven anything and I really miss my loom.

I also uploaded my knitting bag pic, I received this as a Christmas present from one of my co-workers, he's such a doll. Inside was some wonderful hand creme, body wash, makeup and chocolates, but believe it or not what I loved the most was the bag, ever since I've use it as my knitting travel bag, everyone at work thinks I'm nuts, but it's so cute I can't resist, the reindeer just make me smile.

Weirdo Knitter

Last night I went to the LYS and sat in on a knit in. I would never generally go to the store because there is alot of animal fiber in there and of course my allergies go haywire, but I wanted to get a feel for the shop owner and instructor because I'd like to take an Entrelac class and I thought this was the best way to check out the atmosphere. What I found out is that I'm a weirdo knitter, I knit English style when I do a knt stitch and I throw the yarn so I was told and Continental when I purl and I don't even hold the yarn behind the project on the purl but in front and I do it backwards looping over and around insted of under and around. Trust me everyone was staring and commenting on this weirdo way I knit. I'm not really shy, but I don't like to be stared at, it's uncomfortable, add to this commentary and I was beet red and I started getting nervous which didn't help the knitting and being a newbie, this really rocked my confidence to a nano byte.

I explained that I am self taught with books, internet videos amazing blog knitters and some yahoo group help, I was met with open mouths and raised eyebrows. They tried to correct my hands, my holding of yarn and the position of my needles, after all this instruction, I couldn't knit not one stitch and I've been knitting really quick in weirdo, I'm confused, my knitting looks like everyone elses in the end so why is my method so appauling? I couldn't ask this bunch of snoberettes so.... needless to say I don't think I will learn Entrelac.... at least not in this shop and God only knows I have a very limited source of LYS, the next closest place is 20 miles, which translate in our traffic time to 45 mins to an hour commute after work, shall we say NOT HAPPENING.

So if anyone has an internet video, or book I can get, so that I can see how it's done and convert it in to weirdo, then please let me know I'll appreciate it.

On the baby blanket, I have finished the (torture) mitered squares and have begun to put them together, once I have one side attached to each other I plan to pick up the stitches and start striping. I got a stripe pattern from here which is a great help, I don't remember how I got to that webpage but I'm sure it was reading someone else's blog.

I don't have any new pics of projects but I can leave you with what Miami looks like today

Master Weaver

I took this picture December 24, before we started our prep for "Noche Buena" which is Cuban for eating roast pork, rice with black beans, yucca with mojo, drinking mojitos, playing dominoes with very experienced champion style matches (very competitive), and celebrating Christmas Eve. While I was clearing the several potted plants under our mango tree, I looked up and spotted this





as I walked around it several times, I was awe stricken, by the complexity and simplicity of the use of space, not a missed warp, all of it even and perfect. I thought how amazing that such a small creature could do such a magnificent job of weaving instinctively.

20 SQUARES AND 12 TO GO!

Okay, so not really a mitered square baby ghan, after knitting endless squares or what seems to be endless squares, I'm not really liking the process, shall we say tedious....

But I have to finish the baby ghan. So what's an industrious girl to do, in my case, I have decided to knit the mitered squares for the two ends and the middle in stripes, I've worked it out in my minds eye and think it will be really cute, or at least I want it to be. This is the route I think I will take, visually I think it's interesting to mix up the squares and have the color everywhere, instead of the predictable same with same. What do you guys think? I also need some help putting these together any suggestions as to not have the thread yarn I use for stitching show through the other colors?

TGIF!!!

I can't say it enough, Thank God it's Friday!!!!

We have had a rough week, both my youngest kid's cars were at the mechanics, the dog has chewed her hind legs into bleeding stumps, and I have to finish getting a crown on my tooth today, whew!!

I was talking with DH yesterday and said to him "you know we've spent over $ 2,000.00 , we didn't even have fun and we haven't even reached the weekend yet". His look was classic, a bit of surprise (he hadn't calculated the costs), then annoyance (the emergency fund is running low) then, just laughter (because you just have to). You're probably thinking why the heck are they laughing about it, well no one in our family is sick, hurt or in the hospital. God has granted us life everyday, not that it would be a great day, but another day. Trials and tribulations are a part of life, they way you handle them, that's in it self is the true lesson.

So this is why we laugh:

James 1:2-6 (NKJV)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
1 Peter 1:6-8 (NKJV)
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love.

There is always a silver lining, an end to troubles and a way home.

FOR SALE

Since I haven't used any of the following items for over 8 months I thought it would be great to sell them to someone who will use them.



Love and Money Weaving looms $ 9.00 + Shipping. "Sold"

Knifty Knitters Long Loom Series II - $ 9.00 + shipping

Knifty Knitter Round looms including the Flower Loom $ 10.00+ Shipping

Adult size FG Cotter Pin Round from DA $ 15.00 +shipping "Sold"



One 32" wooden loom with cotter pins FG ( I don't have a pic of this one but it's a Marla Richard's Loom) $ 20.00 + shipping "Sold"





All the looms have been lovingly used all will come with pick, I don't have any instructions other than for the long wooden loom and the Hex Love and Money Looms . I will accept money orders (preferred) or personal checks. You can email me betyantonio4@yahoo.com with your addy and I will let you know what the postage will be.

Mish Mash and Then Some

I finished the woven sample this one is 25.5 " x 25.5" (wasn't planned this way it just happened) on my RH with the 12.5 dpi heddle, crochet cotton. It's very open and airy really nice drape, what I don't like are the edges, which are my fault, because I smashed them as I was weaving I have to learn not to pull too tight on weft so that they would be more uniform with the rest of the fabric. I could see a very pretty shawl in the near future with this yarn. It's pink, beige, brown and cream it's really lovely and I'm looking forward to working with it.


In the knitting department I finished my sweater, it doesn't seem that the color variation is such a big deal once it was all put together, so I'm keeping it. It's been washed, dried and blocked and it feels so soft. I'll really enjoy it on my next trip in February to NC.





I have been currently knitting this http://www.knitty.com/issuefall06/PATTviveka.html for my DD in light blue and heather grey for the body, but I stop dead in my tracks last light as I cast on the front, why might you ask, well my co-worker is 6mnths preggos and I have not started her baby ghan (YIIIIIKEES!!). So in my panic stricken state I started to dig around for my copies if Creative Knitting and I found this



I like the mitered square afghan they had and think it's simple enough to accomplish in a smaller size for a baby, I wanted a bit of a challenge in my knitting since I'm a newbie. I did a quick search on the web and found that I am about two years too late for the mitered square crazy from the Mason Dixon Knitting book, just as well, I'm sure that bloggers were getting dizzy over all the posts of colors, patterns, stripes etc.. So what I'll do as to not get anyone to roll their eyes when they read about my mitered square ghan is, I'll post only one square and won't post again til it's finished (saving you the grief of having to view countless squares. So I'm armed with my mag, my Knitting Answer Book (I think this is a must have for baby knitters) , yarn, circs, straights, and stitch markers, wish me luck!

So Much for Resolutions

Only 7 days after I posted the no buy new yarn blah, blah, blah.... guess what happened, when I went to Big Lots looking for some plastic bins? Where do you think I wound up? In the yarn section of course! After debating with my inner hoarder for about 15 seconds, I bought 10 skeins each of this ever so soft yarn Bernat's LuLu in GoGo Mint Green and Paton's Be Mine Wuzzy White (1 point for the hoarder 0 for the sensible me, hangs head in shame LOL but they were $1.00/ea.). Both yarns require 5.5mm needles which will work out great.

For what and why might you ask after all the talk of not buy anything and stash busting, well my niece is preggos and I think this would be the softest baby blankie I could knit. Now I'm in search of a pattern something simple and not too fuzzy both yarns are a type of boucle and have enough happening in the texture.

This is why lists don't really work for me ;0)

2008 STASH BASH

I have decided that, although I don't do lists because, I think they remind us of failures more than accomplishments, this year, I will, against my better judgement make a list.

I, as many a fibre aficionado, (oooohhhh I like that word) have more than my share (hoard) of yarn, so this year I will not buy yarn for any new projects until I'm finished with the stash that currently resides in my drawers, all of which have a designated projects attached to them, this of course brings me to my list.


Weaving Projects for 2008

Baby Blanket (1)
Baby Blanket (2)
Place Mats
Dishtowels
Log Cabin Scarf
Bath Mats (2)
Table Runner (2)


Knitting Projects for 2008
DD's Sweater (in progress)
Stash Busting Afghan
Cable Sweater
Learn Entrelac
Learn to use DPN's

This should keep me busy for a while at least it's motivation to get rid of the yarn. :o)

NEW WEAVING

I started the new year out with new weaving, this is crochet cotton on my RH with the new 12.5 dpi heddle I ordered back in November. This one is just for fun, I wanted to see how it would turn out. Sort of experimental.

Happy New Year!!

Another year come and gone, in the blink of an eye, at least that's how is seemed.

I've been reading some blogs and I love every one's disposition of fresh new year and new start, in that spirit, I'll do a 25 things you don't know about me meme, since I can't fathom having to do the 100. If you can read this thank a teacher, if you can write a meme thank another teacher, and if you can spell, punctuate and write in context, kiss a high school English teacher.

1. I miss the change of seasons, I spent New Years at 80 degrees ??
2. I'm married for the second time and after 13 yrs still in love with him
3. We are a Brady bunch family (boys his, girl mine).
4. I came to the US when I was 3 and became a citizen when I was 23.
5. I can read French, but can't speak it. (That's what 4yrs of high school French does to you)
6. Any kind of wine makes me sleepy within 1/2 an hour.
7. I loathe the fact that most people think Fidel Castro is the "President" of Cuba, duh DICTATOR.
8. I loved geography and world history when I was in school.
9. I hate the word mines, since a lot of people use it instead of mine.
10. I can read, write and speak Spanish fluently.
11. I love a good laugh, the kind that makes your stomach hurt.
12. I'm an independent, couldn't decide between parties, both have pros/cons.
13. I hate the way kids butcher the English language see #9.
14. I don't balance my checkbook, EVER.
15. I finish projects (eventually).
16. Till year ago, I didn't know what DH, SIL, the the other acronyms meant LOL.
17. I love to organize.
18. I can't eat anything spicy.
19. I can punch as hard as a guy (really my husband says so)
20. I'm thankful for everyday the Lord allows me to enjoy.
21. I don't like it when parents don't discipline their children and expect everyone else to accept it.
22. I lived in Union City, NJ til I was 14 and miss it.
23. I really don't like Miami, never have.
24. I don't understand why people are so concerned with celebrities.
25. I paint murals.

POOPED OUT!

Wow, I'm tired, I had hubby's family of 20 for dinner on Christmas Eve and on Christmas day we spent it with my family at my mom's (there were 35 of us there). I love everyone, but wow am I spent, lots of talking and catching up, lots to eat and drink, I think I was on a sugar high for 3 hours, tons of sweets (definitely not hip, tummy or butt friendly stuff). There was cooking, cleaning, hosting and mostly headache pill dispensing. But, ahhh time with loved ones to laugh, reminisce, joke, play, dance and share the joy of the season with. I just wish I could have stayed home today instead of working, but the yarn money has to come from somewhere. Oh and you know during this weekend I even squeezed in some weaving time, that baby crib blanket is off the loom and waiting for fringe or edging I haven't decided, and none to soon, my SIL just called and my niece is well "PREGNANT"!! I keep saying it, there is something in the water.

From our family to yours,

May the Lord Bless your holiday with love, joy, laughter and peace.

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

Babies, Babies and more Babies

It seems that everyone at work is pregnant, four in one year is definitely a record especially since we are a company of maybe 40 employees. Our friend in South Carolina, we found out on our visit, his wife is also preggos. So needless to say I'm weaving baby blankets, crib blankets and maybe a burp cloth or two, although I don't need to rush, no one is due until early March thru late April, I do want to finish them and have them out of the way. So I have pics of the first of two baby girl crib blankets. This one was "suppose"to be a log cabin pattern, but since I can't read a draft to save my life, which really isn't any different than not being able to to read a knitting pattern LOL. didn't set up my warp correctly, so I have this instead. I like it, although it was a bear to warp. Since I learned how to warp through the Ashford book and don't own a warping board, not that I would know what to do with one if I did, it was difficult doing the one skein thing with one strand of each color. Since I'm not easily deterred by challenges this was no different, I continued warping and started weaving. On the weft I'm doing the same thing two passes of each color without breaking the yarn. It's a slow process with two shuttles but I have managed to get a good amount done.

I have since found a draft that has oodles of explanations and pictures for the log cabin weave structure and as soon as this one is done, bagged and tagged, I will set out to do the next one as intended.

Again I'm using Red Hart in Rose and Dusty Rose, this is still, yarn from the estate I inherited two years ago, and since it's for babies, wash, dry and wear is the easiest on Mommy.

Bath Mats & Recovery

My surgery went well, I feeling as good as can be expected and will be fully recovered in about 4 weeks. I like to thank all of you who prayed for me and sent me well wishes, I appreciate it. During my few days off I finished my bath mats, I can't call them rugs, cause they are so lightweight I'm going to need a boulder to keep them in place (lol). I'm going shopping tonight and plan on getting a plastic bath mat that has the suction cups on them and see if I can figure something out with that, or maybe the non slip rug backing. I tried to find the plastic spray on stuff or the Saf T Back, at the craft and home improvement centers but they don't have any. If my ideas don't work then I'll order online. What I learned from this project is that my spacing the warp threads every other heddle made the beating difficult once the fabric started to take up I used a fork to tighten my weaving, this made the process much slower. I also learned that just because the yarn has a bulky rating of 5 it doesn't mean it will have weight to it. I don't think the pile rug is going to work with my loom from this experience I know that the weaving will not be tight enough to hold the yarn in place, the last thing I want is to have pieces of yarn floating around in the guest bathroom. This project I will save in my files for when I get a floor loom.

I won an ebay auction for Rigid Heddle Weaving, Swanson, which I'm looking forward to getting, and learning from it as I have from my Hands On book, I will be starting a log cabin weave baby blanket for a co-worker that is having a baby girl, this one will be in light pink and dusty rose, I think there will be some nice contrast in the colors. I will try to warp my loom sometime this week and have pics to show.

DISHTOWELS

I washed the dishtowel and they measured 12" x 21" some shrink but not much, and since the pic before was so drab looking I took another one. As Leigh commented this is a great way to use up left over cotton yarn, and it's a useful item. I think my SIL will like her table runner and towels, come to think of it I may just make some for myself (hehe). Thank you all for the well wishes, as the old phrase goes "and this too shall pass".

PASSING OF THE TORCH

Today I relinquished my Yahoo group Boardknitters, although I have not been very active within the group for a while I feel as if I release it in to the wild, sort of mixed feelings there. I gave it to Graciela, who is more than capable and has been a great moderator for me. Congrats Graciela, on your new position!!!! I feel kinda free also, as if there is no responsibility any more to supervise, e-spank, correct, update etc... the group, it's wonderfully freeing. I stayed on as a member and will be visiting often.


On to other news I will be having surgery next Thursday Dec 6, 2007 for Endometrial Balloon Ablation you can get the particulars if you like on the link, so I will be out of commission so to speak for a few days.


And since this is a creative blog these are the dish towels I've been working on. This is were you can get the stitch. Since it was easy enough for me to learn I started knitting these when I went on vacation. and am about to finish the second one, I would have finished them on the trip but I ran out of yarn and refused to buy more since I have a cone at home. Yeah, it sounds kinda cheap but I really don't need anymore white cotton Peaches and Cream Yarn, since I need to get rid of what I currently own so I can buy other yarn, I know, I know--- it's a vicious cycle, but thank God you guy get me, everyone else thinks I'm nuts. Back to the dish towelsfor the white towel I cast on 50 stitches Row 1 (rs) knit, Row 2 (ws) knit one row then I started the pattern stitch for the next 8 rows, then I switch to the color yarn I used, Earthtone Color 172 and continued the stitch pattern for 18 rows, switch to the white and pattern stitch for 50 rows, switch color pattern stitch for 18 rows, switch color pattern stitch for the next 8 rows, then knit (rs) knit (ws) and bind off. The finished towel is 12" x 25" pre- wash, I'll let you know how much it shrinks. I don't know if I wrote the pattern correctly, since this is the first ever needle knit pattern I've written so if there are any mistakes please let me know. ;o)

SURE FIT SLIP COVERS

I AM SOOOOOOOOOO PISSED OFF!!!

Lord, give me patience, cause if I ask for strength I might kill someone!!!

I ordered two slipcovers for my aging couches from Sure Fit, well they came in and they were fine until I WASHED them. THEY SHRUNK AND NOT JUST A TAD!! The damn seat cushion portion of the cover is 10" too short, so I have a 93" couch with a cushion that has 5" gaps on either side... ARRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I washed them in cold water and LINE dried them, why???? CAUSE THEY'RE 100% COTTON!!! I followed the instructions to a tee and after using a washing machine for 25 years I think I know how to read labels and washing instructions.

Okay, I was mad at that moment, but what sent me over the edge was the following conversation with the customer rep at Sure Fit:

Me: "Hi, my name is B---- A------ and I ordered some slip covers from you three months ago, well I needed to wash the cushion portion of the cover and it severely shrunk. I would like to have the defective seat cushion replaced and I will return the one I have to you".

Them: " Well let me check on your account, yes I see you ordered them over 45 days ago, hummm, let me see what I can do for you let me talk to my supervisor". (I was on hold thinking wow this is going to be easy they'll send me a new cushion cover and I can return the defective one, problem solved no big deal).

Them: "Maam, we can offer you a 20% discount on you next purchase".

Me: "ARE YOU KIDDING", WHY ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH WOULD I BUY ANOTHER SLIP COVER WHEN I JUST BOUGHT THESE 3 MONTHS AGO".

Them: "Well you see, your passed the 45 day return policy".

Me: "I didn't need to return the slipcovers within 45 days, because they didn't need to be washed until now, and that's when I discovered the defective cushion, I wash the other set with no problem".

Them: " Well, yes I understand, but that's our policy, I'm sorry, I understand".

Me: " WHAT EXCATLY IS IT THAT YOU UNDERSTAND? YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT I FOLLOW YOUR WASHING INSTRUCTIONS AND YOU CAN'T REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SEAT CUSHION"?? PLEASE LET ME SPEAK TO YOUR SUPERVISOR."

Them: "I did speak to my supervisor this is why I put you on hold". Maam, all I can do is offer you a 20% discount towards your next purchase".

Me: "I DON'T WANT TO BUY ANYTHING FROM YOU I WANT YOU TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CUSHION, WHAT PART OF THIS CONVERSATION DON'T YOU GET"? "I'LL BUY SOMETHING ONCE YOU MAKE GOOD ON THE CRAP YOU SOLD ME IN THE FIRST PLACE. DOES THE PHRASE WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER COME TO MIND, THIS IS RIDICULOUS, YOU PEOPLE ARE JOKING RIGHT".

Them: DEAD SILENCE.

At this point I knew the next few words that were going to come out of my mouth were going to sound like drunken sailor who can effectively curse in two languages simultaneously, at which point I just hung up.

The nerve, how can you not provide any customer service to someone who is complaining about your product, BTW, was not cheap, I paid $ 97.00 for the one and $87.00 for the love seat with shipping and handling it came to well over $ 200.00 for "excuse me" slipcovers that you can wash over and over again, hence the point of ordering the bastards in the first place.

So, I did the next best thing, I wrote a scathing email. Now I have to wait two days for an answer; will I get one? I hope so, cause I will call back, and I'll tell everyone I know not to buy their products cause of their crappy customer service.

South Carolina

Chimney Rock National Park which is in Lake Lure, NC.

The trip was wonderful, we spent the week with friends and had tons of fun and 100+ pics I'd love to share, but I'll pick only a few and post them for you all to enjoy. I for one love the change of leaves and since I don't get that here I took some really great shots of that. We also rode in a helicopter, our friend (J) is a pilot for an emergency response team in Greenville and he took us up. It was amazing, especially since hubby is terrified of flying. I bullied him into the copter and he had his first flight since he was five years old. He was so nervous, but he loved it, of course it helped that the pilot has been his friend for 20yrs + so he trusted (J) with his life as he put it, I know he's dramatic.. but I think the fear of flying is conquered, maybe now we can plan plane trips and not just car trips, which in of itself would be wonderful, I want to see the Grand Canyon so maybe I should strike while warm and fuzzy feelings are still fresh (hehe).

We went to Kings Mountain in South Carolina, had to cross North Carolina and then back to get there, yes I was confused also and I have two pics of the state line signs to prove it. We went to the living history farm and what do you think I found there, raw cotton from a turn of the century cotton gin. (Last century that is).

This bale was over 5 ft tall and 3 ft wide, just think of all the fun stuff that could be done with that!!

This pic is of the machine that was used to process the cotton.

A bird's eye view of Greenville, SC from our Helicopter ride.

Helicopter Crew.

Oh, I forgot to mention I knitted on the car trip to and from, I have finished one kitchen towel and started the second, I didn't take any pics, I will as soon as I get the second one done, with the pattern and stitch of course.

This n' That and Thanksgiving

What to post , what to post, Hummmmm...

Well I figure I should post about the sweater since it's the only thing I've been working on I had to frog the back and start over, I'm half way there and hope to finish it before my trip on Saturday, let's see if that really happens. I decided not to dye it till I get back and think about it some more. I'm also debating on a knitting project for the car trip, I have 12 hours to knit and can't seem to decide, baby blanket, or dish towels to match the table runners I've made. As for the rug on the loom, I removed a portion re-lashed the warp that remained and am making a companion rug. I need to buy the product that makes the back non slip since:

1. It really doesn't have any weight to it.
2. They're going in my bathroom.
3. Don't want to slip and kill myself or the hubby for that matter, LOL.

I have to go to Michael's cause I looked in Walmart and they didn't seem to understand what I was talking about, we so could use a good craft store, I'm not partiularly fond of Michael's well not really the store itself although the one close to me is a mess, but the employees are really not at all helpful, if you can find one and sometime even rude, I limit my visits there, maybe on my trip I'll find and AC Moore or something else.


I think that's about it, I'll be in South Carolina through Thanksgiving week and hopefully I can squeeze in some yarn shops (hehe) maybe even find a weaving studio and drool.

HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING!!!!

May the Lord grace you and your family with good health, may your kitchen always have plenty to share, your family always be joyful and your hearts be full of laughter, love and praise.

Yarn Dilema!!! HELP!!

I've been knitting my kimono sweater, actually I'm almost done, but I have a problem. Although I bought the yarn in the same dye lot, guess what?? it's all not the same color ARRRRRGHHHHHHHH!!! How annoying **stomping feet**!! Well since I've ranted on my own for two days and now online, I had the bright idea to ask the more experience dyers, knitters and weavers what can I do, how do I do it?? I thought I could stain the yarn with tea (which is the only way I've ever dyed anything other than RIT in the washer with really bad results), but don't know if it will work the yarn is 75% acrylic 25% wool. I'd like to keep it in the beigey realm it's in right now I have the biscuit color, but some is pinker than the other and it's through out the sweater. Any suggestions would be so appreciated.

STUDIO & RUG WEAVING

I finally got my frame for my loom, I put it together last night and was so excited I couldn't wait to weave. I also received a new heddle 12.5 DPI and wow those eyes are tiny and the spacing even smaller, but I tried my hook last night and it went through just fine, so the crochet yarn in my stash is starting to itch. A funny thing happened when I got my boxes at work, I of course opened them immediately (like a kid at Christmas) as I pulled out the heddle one of my co-workers was in my office and she looked at it, scratched her head and said "What the heck?", I laughed and said to her "I see a potential wrap, a beautiful baby blanket, a soft and wonderful table cloth, maybe even a blanket." her response "All I see is a replacement for the blinds in the front office, and that's why your the creative one." So I had to explain what and how to use it, now since she's pregnant, guess what I'm going to make for her? hehe such fun stuff.

On the home front, I took our vacant room and now I have a small studio it's only 10' x 12' but it's great, my own little piece of valuable real estate within my house. LOL I kept the furniture that was in the room and have total use of the drawers for my knitting boards, knitting looms, my knitting needles and most of all, my yarn. I still have two bins in the garage that I need to sift through and relocate into the room.

Now for what's actually on my loom, that is a rug that I'm trying to weave, although I don't know if it will be heavy enough to lay on the floor, but I figure I'll finish, wash it and see, I could use it under my loom if it doesn't work for the original intention which is a bath mat.

For the warp I'm using Red Hart in Royal Blue, Caron Simply Soft in Lime and Electric blue (these were left over from the bright scarf I wove) and for weft Red Hart Super Bulky in Ocean. I love the colors and the super bulky is huge yarn, I love it I loved it from the first time I set eyes on it, but could never get it to work with my knitting loom so here we are at the weaving loom. I warped my loom on every other heddle eye which gave me a good space between the yarns so I'd have room to beat the weft in, I was advised on the yahoo groups that the weft needed to be really tight, I may need to start using my tri-loom comb for this one. Since I spaced the warp the way I did, this will be a weft facing fabric, I am learning my terms and following instructions with my Hands on Rigid Heddle Weaving book (this is so much fun).

I also found out that there is another Betty Davenport Book; Textures and Patterns for Rigid Heddle, which I can't find anywhere because, of course it's out of print. I need to find someone who has moved on to more elaborate weaving and would part with this book, sounds like a mission, but I'm patient and quite entertained with what I'm doing now. By the way if anyone out there has this book and wants to sell it, drop me an email.

KIMONO SWEATER UPDATE!

I've been knitting a kimono style sweater inspired by a pattern I found on Kitty.com and a magazine sweater I saw. Well the top went as planned the bottom took a life of it's own first because the yarn did cooperate the way I wanted the lacey - cabley stitch to go and second cause I was away on a 4 hour driving trip when I started the bottom and didn't have my reference material with me ARRRGHHH!! So I made an executive decision and I started the bottom with a garter stitch for 10 rows and then the basic stockinette stitch. . Am I bored with the knitting a bit, do I need a challenge for the next project yes. So I have the front panel to finish and the back and I'll stitch it up and model it for you. I'm hoping have it completed before my trip and since that trip is an 11 hour car drive you better believe I will have my pattern, yarn and REFERENCE book with me. hehe. One thing with needle knitting that I never had with board knitting is the curl on the sides top and bottom, it makes your work look tiny and warped

Food and Wine Festival @ Epcot

We went to Epcot @ Disney World for the weekend. The Food and Wine Festival was going on and we thought it was a great idea to take off for the weekend.

The featured state was Oaklahoma this year and they had a chuck wagon that was 110 years old on display I thought it was the coolest thing I'd seen that day. There was a teepee and the history of the state. The day was overcast and it sprinkled but at least it was not hot and sunny, I know that sounds kinda a wierd but when your walking around as much as you have to to get to see everything going on the last thing you need is heat and a sunburn. So I appreciated the overcast and sprinkles.

We had little bits of food throughout the day, Samosas and Butternut soup from India, Beef Ravioli with yogurt and butter sauce with pistachio baklava in Turkey, Pastilla which is Chicken and spices in a pastry in Morrocco, and the Austrialian Wine Walkabout, four samplings of wine from twelve choices.
Hubby enjoyed the wine tasting which was a ton of fun and we learned the difference of wine making and tastes for each region. If you every get down this way, the Food and Wine Festival is a must do.

TABLE RUNNER #2

This one is my SIL's present for Christmas,

I'm in the middle of twist fringing and am having my usual difficulties I can't cut the suckers even no matter what I do so. I will fringe long tie then re-tie higher and cut across. (if someone has a trick, tip for this I'd appreciate some help as it seems I can never get it right LOL) This piece measures 114" of woven fabric and the fringes are 8" or 7" depending on which one you measure hehe.. I need to wash it and am concerned it will shrink too much, her table with some drop measures 112" so 2" of shrink would be great, but since I used cotton I know it's going go a lot smaller. I guess I'll wash it and not dry it in the dryer and that should help. I've never blocked anything and don't know if this would help the stop the shrinking, I guess this is a question for the groups.

I have one more table runner to make for Christmas ( the 122" one)and then I'm done with those creatures for a while, I was thinking of making matching dishtowels but, those will be either needle knitted or loomed. I've asked my RugTalk group on yahoo about pile rugs, if I get my answers from them and it's positive that will be the next project.

A Weaver!

Lona just left me a comment about how she's never heard a "weaver" call the top portion of the tri loom the hypotenuse side you can read the comments and my answer from the previous post. But what got me is being called a "weaver" that in itself is so satisfying to be actually acknowledge as a weaver, you have no idea Lona, but you made my day.

I know that some of you are going oh well big deal, you know it really is a big deal at least for me, see my family, mom, grand and aunt all on my mom's side are all crocheters, knitters and sewers, my mom is a seamstress, pattern maker and all. Since I was a kid I've always dabbled, first it was macrame, then some sewing, scrapbooking and so on. In recent years I've loom knitted, board knitted, needle knitted, tri loom weave and now most recently weaving on my RH loom. Since I've always dabbled, I guess I never really felt accomplished or recognized by others as anything other than a really "crafty" person or I was "very good with my hands". Even my hubby and kids always say "you know mom (honey) what you do is really for little old ladies", which for some reason or another always made me feel like I should be doing something else with my time other than my hobbies, after all I'm only 42 and don't feel like an old lady LOL. Of course there is always the self doubt that no matter what you do your never as good as the other person in the other blog, group etc. you were just reading or looking at, but today I really feel like someone actually looked at my stuff and said she's a weaver, and that feels really good. It feels acomplished, funny not even in my professional life have I ever felt satisfied with my title, but weaver just fits the bill, it feels right.

RUANA!!

I can't believe it's finally finished, wow I love the results. After much fringe twisting and cutting, washing and drying it just what I wanted the finished fabric to look like, warm and wonderful. The first two pics are of the ruana crossed and un-crossed the right pic is of the back detail. I chain crochet the hypotenuse then crocheted the two tri's together a little less than half the length. I hope it will handle the stress point alright if not I will need to come up with some other solution. I'm planning to take this one on my trip to SC in November, once I get back I can re-inspect it and see how well it's holding up. The last photo is of the fabric close up, although it didn't do the tabby effect I wanted I still think it looks great, basket weave stripes is what I see.

Blue/Brown Scarf

I finally finished this scarf yet another present. I have also finished two panels on my knitted sweater top. My sister in law has also placed more orders for those hair net thingys, you know I'm shocked that they're selling as they are, but I don't really feel like make anymore. Must be some sort of weird psych thing or just my strange personality, I don't mind making things for gifts, requests etc.. but once I'm asked to make things especially repetitive things, I tend to not want to make them and procrastinate until I need to hand them over.
Does anyone else feel this way, react this way? God only knows I like getting paid for the items, but getting them done well that's another issue, I know I'll finish them and get it out the door, I just don't feel motivated, weird huh?

New Knitting

I've started a new sweater with the yarn I had left over from the cabled sleeve I did for the jean jacket I want to do the sweater that's in the magazine (the white only) only not so long and with long sleeves, that one is short sleeved, which IMO is worthless if I can wear short sleeves I don't need a sweater. But whatever the buyers were thinking it's irrelevant at this point. So I found this pattern and I thought it would be a great top substitute for the sweater and the bottom I'm getting from my Cables Untangled book, I plan to make the sleeves kimono style like the pattern but with some of the open weave cable stitching to match the bottom. This should be an interesting if not challenging knit. So far I can purl and knit without even thinking about it so I guess my needle knitting is coming along. The picture above is of the back of the sweater, since I have different yarn than what the pattern called for I'm measuring and adjusting as I go for my body shape and size. I really excited about this one and hope I can get through it.

There hasn't been much weaving this week, I had a biopsy on my uterus (ouch!!) and that put the kibosh on weaving and exercising. But once the results are in it will be all worth the discomfort and cramps.

Honoring Mom's Everywhere

I usually don't put u-tube stuff in my blog but this one is great. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGoelj7l668