The Catch-up Post

I am still bummed about missing yesterday's post.  Remember how I said I was sort of planning one out?  I was mentally planning a post about how I had almost made it through the month and never missed a single day.
So I forgot to post that, and blew the month.  Go figure.
But enough bemoaning my forgetfulness.   What about my knitting progress?
I have continued to push ahead on the blue henley tee.  I am almost 3 1/2 inches past the armholes in about a week.
I just may get this done by the new year.  After all, once my two current jobs end, on December 15 and 29 respectively, I will probably gave a little extra knitting time on my hands.
More on the jobs another time.

Dang

I was doing so well too.
With my posting every day I mean.  I planned a tentative post a couple times yesterday too.
But after knit night, my mind was on knitting and old movies.
Drat.  I will try to post again later today.

The Delivery

Since Evelyn was at spin guild today, the delivery was made on her alpaca faroese shawl. I think she liked it.

No, I am positive she liked it.

It still needs blocking of course, but is a wonderful shawl. I especially like the shoulder shaping that keeps it on your shoulders when wearing.

I think the green that I started plying yesterday would look great in a similar shawl. I was wrong about the fiber on that, by the way, it was Romney, not Southdown, as I mentioned yesterday. It was that Sue Ann grew and dyed. I still have 2 half bobbins, 4 full bobbins, and at least one more that I still have to spin and then ply with the rest. Since I make 2 ply yarn, this will be plenty for an ample faroese. Now I just have to decide which pattern I will make. Although I am sure it will be made in the style of Myrna Stahlman, top down and probably ending in lace edging.

Of course that project will be a ways down in the rotation.

Today I Plied

After church and feeding Hubby, I decided to empty some bobbins.
So I got out my Louet wheel that I use for plying off my Ashford bobbins.  I managed to empty three full bobbins of my brown shetland and white lambs wool blend.  I also half emptied two bobbins to make a large skein of pine green southdown.
Now, time to knit and watch an Ethel Merman movie.

Tee, Totally

Yeah, a cheesy title, I'll admit.  But today's knitting was totally on the Henley Tee.
The sleeves have been separated, and I have an additional half inch completed on the body.  And with the sleeves set aside, the blue blob magically becomes a very short top.  With the rows shorter now, I can make much more progress.

The Pale Blue Blob

I mentioned yesterday farmhouse main knitting focus is now my blue Henley tee.  The yarn is a pale blue cotton/alpaca/polyamide blend called Artesanal.  A pricey yarn that I scored off the sale shelves.  (Love the close-out shelves.)  I am about 6 rows from dividing for the sleeves.  And gauge is telling me it should  fit fine.
Even though this is supposed to have elbow length sleeves, I am considering this winter wear.  After all, alpaca is warmer than wool, and even with the 40% cotton content, I am afraid it will be to much for my high personal thermostat.  I hope to be wearing before spring.
Being so close to putting the sleeves on separate holders, I keep stopping to count stitches.  At near maximum stitch count the row are slow going.  But the pale blue blob is slowly growing.
Wish me luck.

Knitting Onward

Now that the shawl for Evelyn is off the needles, and resting in the wool room awaiting delivery, I can turn my eye on other WIPs.
While I am concentrating my focus on the light blue Henley tee, with occasional dipping into my panda silk shawl, I also wanted to finish at least one pair of socks.
I turned to my dove gray basic socks, and was able to start the heelflap. I like a good basic top-down sock with a slip-stitch heel flap. This pair is getting my favorite variation of that theme: eye of partridge heel.
Eye of partridge has the slip stitches staggered, instead of lining up. It's a great look, although I recommend either bright lights, or light yarn. It is sometimes hard to see if your row starts with a slip or a knit.
This yarn, in light grays and purples is a good choice for this heel. The picture is a bit yellower when taken by cell phone camera.
But you get the idea.

Thanksgiving

To God above, true thanks I give

Hearth, home, family, the full life I live.

Although often I feel that the outlook's not rosy

Nevertheless, at home I'm warm and quite cozy.

Knitting and spinning a safe cocoon

Seemingly ignoring I'll be unemployed soon;

Grateful I am for my hobbies and craft

Instead of just moaning, you'll find that I've laughed.

Verily then I will cheerfully utter

(Ignoring the change that make my heart flutter!)

New jobs, new faces: opportunities abound!

God's brought me this far; he'll keep me around!

In the words from the liturgy;

Thanks be to God. Allelulia. Allelulia.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Another One Off the Needles

True to my word, I finished Evelyn's faroese shawl. This warm alpaca shawl was so easy and a great travel project. I may have to break into my cone stash to make one of my own. I only have a half dozen or so cones of fingering, lace and sports weight yarn .

Here is the back shot, graciously modeled by my Gertrude. I tried it on as well and it is a wonderful generous fit. Skinny Evelyn will be able to wrap herself up int it.

This is hot off the needles in these pictures, and unblocked. In this state the edge looks a bit ruffley. I think blocking will help.
This front shot helps you see how the shaping helps it hang on the shoulders. I really love it. If you don't like ruffles Evelyn, I do.

The back measures 27 inches before blocking. I haven't measured the wing span, but it looks ample.

Improved Stash

After mulling onver my stash post I was rather embarrassed at the lack of organization.  And while my stash has probably reached the SABLE level (Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy), I did want to be able to find what I want when I need it.
So on my way home from spinning today, I stopped and bought another plastic tub, a see-through one.  With Hubby at the cattle auction, I was free to sort and shift some things around without interference.
And see?  Much better.  Gertrude stepped aside for the picture, and look at that!  Floor!

WOW!

What a finish to the NASCAR season!  Carl and Tony had me on the edge of my seat through the whole race.   With all Tony's smack talking all week, I knew he was confident.  And he pulled it off.
I couldn't even knit the last 30 laps.  I was afraid my gauge would suffer. 
You know, in the time since I've been watching NASCAR, I've only seen 2 champions: Tony twice and 5 time Jimmy. 
What a ride!

The Stash

The stash is almost as important a part of knitting as gauge. (And we all always check gauge, right?)

Below are a few shots of my stash/wool room. When both sons moved out several years ago, their old room became my own private stash storage.

Here is one corner. The north row is lined with tubs that I really must organize. Most of the bags but not all, is shetland roving, with a little polypay, jacob, llama and alpaca thrown in. I really need to get the tubs stacked up better, although most of them are two high. The tubs along that wall are mostly full of roving, although I know some have yarn as well. My knitting model, Gertrude presides over that area.

The opposite corner is a bit more organized. The rack has some odds and ends, as well as a multitude of fingering and lace weight cones. I could knit for years just off those cones. Next the the stacked tubs shown here, I also have a tub of some hand-spun odd skeins and another of lace yarn.
Why so much stash? Well, every knitter need a stash. In my case it was enhanced by the fact that I used to work at a local yarn shop that closed, re-opened and closed again. Each time, my stash was greatly enhanced by the clearance sales. Need I also state that very little of that part-time check ever left the store? I am also a sucker for a fiber festival. And, well, I just want to plea that I get crazy when wool fumes are around.

And when all else fails, and I find I can't escape a yarn store, I always can buy a skein or two of sock yarn. It is a well know fact that sock yarn does not count toward the stash.

Here is one of my two tubs of sock yarn.
Oh yeah, I just remembered, I also have a file cabinet drawer (14 X 28 inches) full of sock yarn as well. No wonder I have 5 pair in progress!

The Home Stretch

Both NASCAR and Evelyn's faroese are nearing the end.  As I type this, the truck race finished a rain shortened race and Austin Dillon named champion.  Tomorrow and Sunday will see the last 2011 races and new champions crowned. (Since my man Mark is out of the
Chase, go Tony!)
The end also is looking close on Evelyn's faroese shawl.  I finished the second lace repeat and decided "Enough!"
(See below.)
The garter rows may grow slowly, but they knit quickly.  If not this weekend, it WILL be done next week.  (Evelyn, be sure to let me know ahead if you will make it to spin guild for the hand off.)
And then.....nothing new for a while.  I will spend December finishing WIPs.  I really will.  Promise.

Snow!

Just a few flakes, but they are steadily falling.  No accumulation for now, but I can dream of days like this:

Ode to Life

A few leaves still cling to trees, they don't want to fall.
Not knowing what's to come, can often make us stall.
Jobs come and go; and to worry is just folly.
(Reflecting back on 8 lost jobs--Good Golly!)
But change is a'coming, a brand new page I enter,
And with it comes (I hope and pray) a brand new history center.

Yup, change is hard; don't like it much I say.
But with this change, doors open a bright new day.
I still don't know what tomorrow may hold;
I could, for a time, get left out in the cold.
So we will see what paths this life may form.
But in the meantime, I have my wool to keep me warm!

Half Done

November is half done today.  Of course I started this daily posting a day late.  But, what to write?
Hmmm, it is Opening Day of firearm deer season.  It's a big deal in this part of Michigan, some schools even have the day off.  But none of my immediate family hunts.
Knit Nite tonight.  I worked on my Double Heelix foot, and some on my shawl.  The lace banished Evelyn's to being "home in my rocker" knitting.
And in just over 6 weeks till I lose jobs number 7 and 8, on the same day no less.  While there is something in the offing, it may take it a while to get up to speed (with paychecks).
So, what to write?  Sorry folks. I got nothing to read today.
Maybe the rest of the month will have real content.
So till tomorrow, here is a ransom knitting picture.

What? No Glamour Shot?

My friends laugh at what I call the glamour shot of every project. If it is for me, I try to have one taken with me modeling it. Or perhaps the recipient, if a gift or custom project.

I was rather surprised to realize then, that I had neglected to post a glamour shot of my last Finished Object. Maggie's cardigan. I love the glass buttons. The color doesn't show well here, but they are faintly pink, which is greatly enhanced by the color picked up from the sweater.

And since I did end up with extra yarn, after I bought another skein, behold.....booties. I used a pattern from Knit One, Knit All, Elizabeth Zimmermann's new book. I made a 3 stitch i-cord for the drawstring ties. I hope she gets lots of wear out of them.

After posting yesterday about needing to consult with Evelyn about the lace repeats, she answered all my questions. I am going to continue the lace for at least one more repeat, to be followed with some more garter.

So....I better get off the internet and start knitting!

One Lace Repeat Down

And after ten interminable rows I finished the first repeat of the lace on Evelyn's shawl. And to my great surprise, it scallops!
The picture below shows two sections of lace. The scallops at least explain why it wasn't hanging straight as I knit.
Now I am wondering, should I stack up another one or two repeats? That would enhance the curves, while following up with a couple inches garter stitch will straighten it out, somewhat.
Maybe I'll switch to another project until I talk with Evelyn. She may be out of town, but I hear she is addicted to reading this blog.
I think I'll hear from her soon.

How the Heel Turned

Double Heelix class was this morning. What a challenge! Two friend from Knit Night were also there, Sandy and Kathy. Kathy wasn't to sure about the whole thing. Like me, she prefers double points, although I had come with a long circ for this project.

It was hard slogging, and if you look close you can see a small mistake just above my thumb where the purple got mixed into the pink spiral. I decided I could either live with it, or I will duplicate stitch over it when I get done. I left class with this much. Of course, casting on left handed, but knitting right handed meant that I had to tweak the pattern, but I am used to that. I did find the magic loop method way too complicated with four ends of yarn though. I bought a smaller needle to use with the long one. Not sure if that was easier or not.

After I got home, after helping Hubby move a ramp for the manure spreader to keep him happy, I sat down with this project. Perseverance paid off. I am now on the foot section, using the pink varigated color. The leg will be the purple. I'm not sure if I will reverse the colors on the second sock or not.

Fun and funky. One day of careful counting and marking my place on the pattern, and the rest is straight sock making. As long as I pick a quiet day to start the second sock, I am sure this pair will be completed soon.

Where'd the Grass Go, Momma?

On stepping outside today, Lizzie Bell was in for a bit of a surprise. And I was pleasantly pleased.

SNOW!

New readers may not realize that I love the stuff.

Lizzie on the other hand, not so sure. It is gone now, but this promises to be a snowy winter. I can hardly wait.

On the knitting scene, tomorrow I finally will be having the class on the making the Double Heelix socks.

They said that the heel is best done on circulars. I am not good with the magic loop or using 2 circs for socks. This should be an experience. Wish me luck!!

Sea Cruising

Good time movies again.
My favorite channel, Turner Classic Movies is featuring cruise  movies: Now Voyager,  Love Affair, and a new favorite...One Way Passage with Kay Francis and William Powell.  A great tearjerker with laughs as well.
And lYre is Dodsworth.  But alas, that is at 3am, so I will miss that.
On the knitting front, it has been slow going.  You can see below that it has been going slow, still 2 1/2 rows of first repeat.  And 3 more repeats after that.

Still Adjusting

I know I've said it before.  I'll probably say it again.  But I hate the time change.
This "fall back" switch is supposed to be the easy change, with the extra hour sleep.  I enjoyed it Sunday morning, as well as the daylight in the morning again, but I keep waking up an hour early.
Ugh. 

O Knitty Night

Knit Night was tonight.  I have plunged onto the beginning lace rows on Evelyn's faroese shawl.
And while Nancy has flown to the warmer climes of Florida, Barb is once again able to drive and is knitting with us again. And Mike has shown an interest in learning to knit.  I told him we would try, but since I "knit funny" (the improved Allen cousins method), one of us could help.
Our little group is growing!
And a fun surprise on the radio, on the way home.  One of the stations has swiched to their all Christmas music format!  I may not be a fan of Christmas sales and advertising this early, but I love singing along with the carols.  Noel!

Monday is Spin Guild

Even though Monday is our spinning guild meeting, sometimes we have trouble staying on topic.
Today was no exception.
For the second straight week I took my knitting.  Evelyn's shawl measures about 20 inches down the back.  I will be starting the lace rows  soon.
But amidst the knitting and spinning and chatting, we had a little extra going on, as you can see below.
Evelyn, come back. We need your steadying influence.

Turkey Time

Boy, is it dark out, even for 5:00 pm following the "stupid time change" (long time readers may remember that I detest daylight savings and wish we were on standard time year round). We probably have about an hour of daylight left (as I type this.) I am already tired, thanks to the mucking around with the clock.

But enough of my blather. I have knitting to show off. I have completed a bit more on this than the picture shows. It the Two to Triangle shawl from the latest Knitters Magazine, option 2. I love the Panda Silk yarn, and am looking forward to the great drape.

And as usual I have markers to mark all the crucial increases points. With only 4 pattern stitches and the yarn overs always lining up, it is easy to keep track of the repeats.

And here is a picture, such as it is of Evelyn's faroese. I have added at least a couple more inches to this, as it went with me to the genealogy conference I mentioned yesterda.

I had some comments on it. People loved the alpaca yarn, and were wishing they had brought their projects along. I have said all along, I can concentrate much better with knitting in my hands.

Oh yeah. Wondering about the title of this post?

The Catholic church in a nearby town was holding their annual turkey dinner, with all the fixings. Since Hubby gets to that town nearly every week for the livestock auction, he had made note of it and so we went there after church for dinner. Yum. And since I was able to swap his dressing for my potatoes, it was extra wonderful. I can't wait for our Turkey.

Gray & Blue and Black & White

What a full, fun day.  My friend Sandy, her Hubby and I attended Western Michigan Genealogical Society's latest Got Ancestors seminar.
The speaker, Tony Bourroughs, was entertaining, and I learned so much.  Even though much of his sessions dealt with black genealogy, so much will apply to my search.
And since I didn't take any pictures today, here is a picture of a gnarly tree.  After all, what is genealogy, but studying the sometimes gnarly family tree.
(Does anyone recognize it?)

One Great Project Deserves Another

I have truly been loving knitting the Faroese shawl for Evelyn. Aside from the black hole thing, which actually makes it great travel knitting. I think it may just accompany me to a genealogy conference tomorrow, as it is easy peasy and I can knit and listen with only 4 spots where I have to check if I am on increase row or not. Other than that, straight knitting. Not exciting knitting, but great travel knitting, if I can find a smaller tote for it.

No new pictures of it however. I can't even find the "toe shot" so I can add that to Ravelry. I did, after due consideration, decide that another project was ready to cast on. (What works in progress are you referring too? You mean I have enough WIPs already? Oh well, too late now.)

This is a pattern that was in the latest Knitters magazine, K104, called Two to Triangle. It is a basic triangle shape, similar to my Red Roses Triangle. The magazine shows several options for the lace and I have chosen option 2. This picture is just the set up, but I have gotten into the lace. Only one pattern to memorize, 4 rows long. Now that I am past the shoulder shaping on the faroese, these increases are similar to that. But with the lace I can get a little challenge and a break from plain garter stitch.

And for my fiber friends...the yarn is Panda Silk, hand dyed by Yarn Hollow. One of the two skeins of yarn I got at the Michigan Fiber Festival this past summer in Allegan. The colorway is Paisley, it has magenta, navy and brown and the white of one of the fibers (silk perhaps) resists the dye so there is a white heathery look to the yarn as well. Despite the many colors, the lace seems to show up just fine. When I get some more length on it, I will share a picture.

Well That Was Sneaky!

I just checked my previous post, which I actually posted this morning. I had typed it up last evening and saved as draft.
This morning I checked it over, edited a couple items and posted. I figured I was good for the day.
So imagine my dismay just now to find my posto.g dated yesterday!
Yikes, I needed a post for today.
So here it is
Hey, I never promised Shakespeare, just postings

NaBloPoMo

I saw that rather cryptic abbreviation on a couple different blogs in the past few days.  It had me scratching my head.  Then today I found out what the excitement was all about.
It is National Blog Posting Month.  Participants who sign on the official website promise to post everyday for the whole month of November.  It sounds like fun.
And yeah, I know I'm a bit late to start, but I did have a posting on the second.  But I could extend into December a few days.  As long as I can blog from my phone, I can do it.  I may be light on pictures this month but I can do it. 
So here is,fair warning.......there may be some rather lame posts.  The rules prohibit scheduling a bunch of posts at once.  But I can do it.  (Does it sound like I'm trying to convince myself?)
And it will make my friend Evelyn happy.  She won't have to beg for blog posts for a whole month.

Cardigan Delivered

Maggie's fuchsia cardigan and booties has been delivered. While I am
posting this away from home, and without the pictures of booties and
cardigan available I will try to add them later.
However I did not get any pictures of myself and Maggie, because,
well, frankly I was too busy cuddling the little cutie. That and the
fact that I left my camera in the car. And my arms were full of
Maggie almost the entire time I was there.
Maggie's mom, Kate and I caught up on lots of gossip, and I also had
the chance to interact a lot with her next youngest. I havn't had
much time with him since he was a baby, but he had to keep coming to
give his baby sister kisses and I got a chance to chat with him while
I brushed off the crumbs his kisses left on his sister's hair. Such
brotherly devotion from the former baby of the family! He is so
devoted that he has even given up being his father shadow on the farm,
and wants to stay where Maggie is.
Again, thanks Kate, Maggie and family for the wonderful time, both the
pink knitting and the cuddling.