Return of the Blog?

I haven’t blogged for several months. Anyone miss me?  

Indeed it was early last fall.  It was beginning to be a chore rather than fun.  So I stopped.  

Recently however I have basically dropped off Facebook and wanted a way to chronicle my knitting and other life landmarks.  So I may be back sporadically but I am back.  I will just be posting here, with no more sharing on Facebook so it will be a bit more private.  And maybe a bit less politically correct.

Anyway, earlier this month, a life event happened.  Another grand baby was born, about six weeks early!   I almost missed the event, since it was only announced on Facebook. Although I was tagged, since I had not been Facebook much that day, I had to be informed of the event by a distant cousin in Canada!

Here is the little sweetie in a photo I took last Friday at age two weeks, one day.  Since she was in the NICU in the big city, I hadn’t gotten a chance to see her before then.  I was lost just riding in the passenger seat.  Not sure when she will be home.  No one tells me anything.

Since I was unable to see her in person for so long, much knitting ensued.

First was a week poncho that would work well for car seats.

Which of course was followed quickly by a matching Cupcake Hat.

Then was a sweater that still needs buttons but it turned out a bit large.

While I mulled that over and fretted about not being told anything, I banged these out.  Campfire Fingerless Mitts.

Very comfy.  I had barely started them when I got word of her birth.  

Very quick and comfy.  I finished the second in less than a day.  My only modification was the sideways garter stitch on the bottom, to match the top.  Now they won’t curl like another pair I have.

I may need another pair.

 But first perhaps another baby sweater.

Brief Catch Up

Wow, it's been since April when I last posted!  Well, on this blog anyway.  I did share on my Continous Journey blog.  Once.  But while I have missed blogging, I also have enjoyed the break from it.  It is funny, because I find myself still taking pictures for blogging.  I just don't blog.

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I recently finished knitting a turban for wrapping up my wet hair.

Large cat included for scale.  Well, that and the fact he wouldn't move.  This pattern is really easy.  It is basically a long narrow triangle shawl, folded and stitched from ends to center back.

I decided to pass on the button.  I just fasten it up with a hair clip, one of my larger ones. It is 100% microfiber and soaks up the water just fine.  I like it, but super bulky yarn is still outside my comfort range.  I still prefer lace to worsted weight yarns.  

I also started a blanket for our priest.  Being from southern India he always escapes each winter for a trip home, escaping the January cold.  I thought he might appreciate a blanket.  

The pattern I found is a free one, The Squared Shades Throw.  It is fun. And easy, but not boring.  The large piece shows one of the squares.  It is started as a circle, in stockinette with occasional garter ridges.  Then is squared off using garter stitches and short rows, each side separately.  When all four are done, they are joined with a three needle bind off, and finished with I-cord all around.  The smaller circle on the lower right is almost ready to begin the short rows on the first side.  As long as it doesn't get too warm when it comes time to join them, should be finished fairly quickly.

Other news, most of our kittens found new homes, although we have some of the wilder ones that have come out of hiding.  One little cutie, a calico, has eyebrows like the ones Groucho Marx used to put on with shoe polish.

And next week, while hubby tends the homestead, I and a friend are trekking "Up North" for a little escape.  Can hardly wait.

I hope just it is cooler.

First Finished

The first Finished Object of the year, like the last project of 2016, is a hat for a granddaughter.

 

You may recall, before Christmas when we went shopping for sweater yarn, that my Favorite Teen mentioned needing a slouchy hat.  The Turquoise Sockhead hat fit the bill perfectly.  Being her favorite color didn't hurt either.

 

And it is definitely slouchy.  I want one of my own.  Which is also the problem I am having with the Graceful Harvest Cardigan that I am working on too.

 

It is a simple raglan sweater with a unique collar/border treatment.  It is a fast knit and I only have a few more inches to go before I start the bottom four inches of garter stitch.  I hope she likes it.

Problem is, now I want one of these too.  But it isn't on my list of knitting goals for this year.  I need to finish some other projects first.

On the bright side, here it is January 19, and I still haven't cast on anything new.  

For me, that is amazing!

One Down!

With some fast and furious knitting, I have finished my first project of the year.  Just as the last of 2016 was a hat for my littlest granddaughter, my first  FO or Finished Object is another hat.  But this time it is for my oldest granddaughter.

 

I know it looks long but the Turquoise Sockhead Hat is a slouchy hat and the length makes it slouchy.  It even fits nicely on my big head, with room for my hair clip.  Once I catch up on all of my knitting goals and dare start something new, I just may make one for myself.

And there I go, already wanting to cast on a new project.  But I will carry on with my previously stated goal and continue on to the Graceful Harvest cardigan, again for my favorite teen.  

I will probably want to make one of those for me too, when I get done.

A Few More Goals

Obviously most of my goals for this year were all about knitting.  And I almost have the Turquoise Sockhead hat to the point of decreasing.  A nice soak and blocking will soon be all that remains on that project.

However, I have set myself some goals regarding my reading habits.  

I want to track my reading this year.  I tried a regular form reading journal last year.  It was too formal and time consuming and was soon abandoned.  This year, I am just recording the name of each book read in my bullet journal, adding new sections after later months if need be..

I am also recording the genre and date finished, as well if the book was electronic or paper.

I have no trouble choosing fiction to read, even if they are heavy on mysteries.  I didn't set any specific fiction goals this year.  However I did set a few other goals.

Classics:

• A "new to me" classic that I have either never read, or at least never managed to finish.  I don't plan on wading through "Bleak House" or "War and Peace" ( they are HUGE!). But perhaps "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" by Anne Bronte.  I've never gotten more than half way on that.  Or perhaps something else. I have a bunch of hard copies, as well as e-copies of most of the Barnes & Noble Classics on my Nook app.
• I want to re-read at least one favorite classic.  I'm thinking Jane Austen, either "Emma" or Sense and Sensibility" at the moment. It's been a while for both of them.

Non-Fiction:

• I want to read several books to help me on my faith walk, already in my library and/or wish list.
• I would like to read a couple biographies.  I am in the middle of one on Mother Teresa of Calcutta that is inspiring and fascinating all at once.  

In my general reading, I would like to catch up on my reading my magazines.  I have e-versions of several, most notably National Geographic.  I am about seven months behind on those alone and would like to be only a month or two behind at the most.  Then maybe I can start on my back issues of Smithsonian.

 

In case you wonder why I read mostly electronic editions of magazines as well as books, the answer is that they are so easy to read while knitting.  It only takes a flick of a finger to turn a page.  And then they stay turned.  Paper books and magazines aren't nearly so conducive to knitting ease.

A Goal or Two, Or More

As I mentioned before, I don't do resolutions.  Too definite.  To much of a promise.  I prefer the term of goals.  Something to shoot for, but no harm, no foul if you don't quite reach the finish line.

That said, I skip the whole personal improvement type of goals.  Don't smoke.  Only have a wee bit of wine at New Years, then some after, to finish the bottle by the end of the month or so.  I try to improve myself and my actions with frequent "examination of conscience."  

So my goals deal with the real stuff of life: Knitting and Reading.

My knitting goals fall into a couple areas, some miscellaneous WIPs and some sweaters.  While I need to first finish my Favorite Teen's Turquoise Sockhead hat, as well as her Graceful Harvest cardigan, since they were Christmas presents these will be next to go.  The hat is well on its way, with about 3 1/2 inches before shaping begins.  

 

Obviously it will be extra long.  It is a slouchy style hat.  And due to the lighting conditions, it looks too green here.  It really is turquoise.  Anyway....

The WIPs goal:

• First is to finish the Baby Hap, which is stalled on the border and will be first to be worked on, once the presents are finished.  
• After that finish the 10 Stitch Blankie.
• And, at least one pair of my several socks already on the needles. 

Then there is my Sweater Goal:

• Finish the previously mentioned Graceful Harvest.
• Find and finish my Navy Tweed Vest.  (Where did I stash that?  And the last few skeins?)
• Finish my Bang Out A Freyja.  It was a project to have been knit last February, in the round then steeked.  I am close but not quite to finishing the body shaping.  I know where it is, but must review the pattern closely.

And Miscellaneous Knitting Goals:

• Finish at least one project started over two years ago.  Sadly, I have several to chose from.  This may be a two- fer with a pair of socks.
• Hold off as long as possible starting any new projects.  This may well be the hardest goal of all.

I think I will save the Reading Goals for next time.

I Hate When That Happens

The red hat for my Little Peanut was going great.  The required 6 inches was complete and the final shaping was begun.

And then......it wasn't coming out right.  I unknit the shaping row and could find no mistakes.  

Then I recounted the stitches.  Oh oh.  Only 64 instead of 72.  That will make a difference.

 

So, here I am back at the beginning again.  Luckily, it is going to be a bit warmer these next few days.  I can get it to her by this weekend, I'm sure.

In the meantime, I better get those needles flying.

What's a Grammy to Do?

So, when Grammy discovered on Christmas that her Little Peanut needs to find a hat that fits her, what else can Grammy do but go diving in the stash?

 

And today I started a hat with some superwash wool yarn left from the crocheted scarf and mitts.

 

We are guessing on the size, after looking at several patterns.  So far, I have this much.

 

Since the patterns are estimating 13 inches for a newborn head, and 15 1/4 for a year olds head circumference, I hope this will work.  All in ribbing, it stretches from 6 1/2 to 14 1/4 inches.  

Measurement of actual baby head to follow.  Unless Grammy finishes this and takes it for a try on first.

Making Progress

Last week, along with my granddaughter, I purchased yarn for her Christmas presents.  The sweater has not been started yet, but I have been making progress on the Turquoise Sockhead Hat.

 

It has been an adventure.  I usually can come up with just about any size needle I want, since I have a couple sets of interchangeable needles.  But these are knit on needles smaller than the interchangeable tips in the sets: 2.5 and while I had double points that size, I did not have any circular needles long enough for Magic Loop, or short enough to knit in the round.  

This hat started on a circular 32 inch needle.  That was too short to work comfortably so I switched to the double pointed needles.  Those were shorter than I liked with this many stitches so I decided to invest in a fixed needle with a longer cable.  Now I can maneuver the stitches around and it is going much more smoothly.

The hat is made with sock yarn.  That the reason for the name: Sockhead Hat.  There is a ton of ribbing, followed by a mile of plain stockinette so it is fairly brainless knitting.  

I may need to start the sweater once all my other Christmas knitting has all the finishing up done.  And all the presents wrapped.

Obviously these presents will be gifted in the pre-finished state.  I told her next year to give me her knitting requests earlier I. The year.

Nesting

The girls and Montgomery haven't been venturing very far from the coop the past week.  Actually they haven't even left the run.  

 

Maisie was most put out that I would even think of disturbing her warm nest to check for eggs.  But as it turned out, she was hiding one.

Instead of venturing out tonight, I will stay home and knit tonight.  The wind is whipping the snow over the flat roads we have around here.  Many areas of slick, or drifts roads, intersperses with dry roads.  I think I will stay home.

 

The Sockhead Hat has been cast on.  I am attempting to do it Magic Loop method rather than with double points, but my needle is only 32 inches instead of 40, like I would prefer but progress is being made.  Many inches remain to knit.  On tiny size 2.5 needles.  

Many inches of ribbing.  Many inches if stockinette.  Many, many inches.  Plain, brainless, boring knitting.  

I may start my granddaughter's sweater soon, just for the variety.

Stealthy No More #1

After a great Christmas today, I can reveal all. Gifts have been given and received so it is time for some knitterly pictures.

Some may remember this picture I posted before Thanksgiving, with what I later noticed were miscrossed cables. I used the pattern The Wise Old Old Hat, Adult version, and the magic loop method. The yarn is Cascade 128 Superwash and it took just under one skein. And inspite of the miscrossed cable, it was an easy, fun knit.

I discovered my mistake before going any further and was able to correct it by just dropping down the stitches involved and correcting the twist.

After shaping and finishing, complete with eyes, my I present the Teal Owly Hat, made for Lil Farm gal.

And it fits and everything.

More on other gift knitting in another post.

 

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Small Steps

One thing I have noticed since Lewie came here to live is that it is really hard to get a good picture of a black cat. Especially when he doesn't cooperate.

But the upside is that as time goes on, the growling and staring (glaring?) by Leo has greatly diminished. I have even seen them both on the bed at the same time. Yes they were at opposite sides of the bed, but they seem to be adapting well.

On the knitting front, I have finished another birthday present.

Isn't just the cutest thing? I am considering making one in my size. The pattern is sized from baby to adult large, and now that I know how it works, it would be easily adjustable.

That leaves me with some Christmas knitting to do. I have even thought about casting on for another vest for me, this time in garter stitch. As though I don't have a pile of WIPs (Works In Progress) already.

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Gift Time Knitting.

I can't call it Christmas knitting, because I have two birthdays coming first. Both Little Farmer, who first popped into the world last Thanksgiving, and my Lil Farm Gal,whose birthday is early December, are needing presents, so that is coming first.

First up is this Turquoise Benedict Cowl. The yarn was just purchased last Friday and I am ready to start my last sawtooth section. I should have it done by bedtime, if this post doesn't take too long, at least as far as the knitting goes. But sewing up and hiding in ends should go quickly, so probably tomorrow with that.

Than, after tossing the stash, I came up with this. I'm thinking a Farmall colored earflap hat. I have a bit of time to decide which of two patterns I like best.

At least until tomorrow sometime.

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Loving the Cool

Temperatures that is.  Yesterday I actually was able to wear something other than shorts and sleeveless top.  A cool wave went through and I am digging this weather.  I even got the house cooled down.  I actually shut the window to keep it from getting too cool.  By Hubby's standards, I could have stood it cooler.
On the way home from Knit Night last night I beat the pop up showers, although it looked like some would be soon on the way.

My knitting has been mostly on either the Boysenberry Pi, or on the Baby Hat since finishing the pair of sweaters.  I have enough ribbing on the hat done that I will shortly begin the decreases.

I am guessimating the size, using Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's excellent book "Knitting Rules" for hats.  I added to the length, figuring on turning the brim.  This is for a December baby after all.  I know it looks narrow, but it IS ribbing after all, two by two over 56 stitches on size 8 needles.  

Then once this is done, I am thinking its time for that Wallaby hoodie for my newest grandnephew, Little Laban to hit the needles.  (And yes, I know that is probably not going to be the real name)

Another One Done

I must say, not working, whether it is unemployed or retired) is good for the knitting time.  I have finished my fourth project for the year already.

When I had given Lil Farm Gal the doll hat and sweater at Christmas, she said she wanted one, and tried to stretch it to fit her.  Since it was tight, I decided I had to do something about that. 

I even splurged on non-stash yarn.

The yarn is Encore Tweed, a worsted weight, wool blend.  The color is called Grape Jam, but it looks more like a grape milkshake to me.  A lavenderish gray.  I ended with a small bit of I cord at the top of the hat to finish it up.  Right now it is stretched loosely over a plate to block and dry.

Which leaves me to contemplate what to knit now.  I have lots of already started projects to choose from. What will win?
Stay tuned to this space. 

Christmas and Beyond

Merry Christmas all!

Quiet time with family today. Now that I am not working, I have been staying close to home and getting lots of knitting done. With the Christmas knitting finished, I have returned to my black cotton cardi. Since this picture from back in September, I have added the second sleeve and even a bit more on the body.

I really like the feel of this Knit Picks Shine, in sport weight.

So just imagine this with sleeves, at this point just a long tube.

Of course, always thinking ahead, I plan to cast on soon for a doll sweater for a girl at church. I also want to make an "dolly and me" sweater set for Lil Farm Gal. She seemed to like the hat and sweater for her doll she got today. I also want to continue my Duchess of Cambridge featherweight cardigan. Maybe this will be the year I finish it.

In a stroke of genius, besides the earflap hat, I gave her the ruffle scarf I made at the start of the fad. It wasn't my fashion thing. But Lil Farm Gal seemed to like it. Her mother liked her wool scarf to, pronouncing it perfect for venturing outside in this wintery weather.

So now, looking forward. Even after checking in several times, I have heard nothing from my job interview. I may have to consider myself retired and broke. Just a fat old "not quite a granny," knitting my life away. Anyone know of part time work available?

 

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Presents...Finished and Not

Since my recipients don't follow my blog, I think it is safe to post my gift knitting.

The newly finished Easy Earflap Hat, (a free pattern on Ravelry) for Lil Farm Gal was quick and fun. Thanks to the ice today, I stayed in the house and knit. It was made using Liberty Wool. It is a very warm and soft and nice yarn. Plus it's machine washable.

Also coming along nicely is the Mistake Rib Neckwarmer. It is another free pattern, this time from Knit Picks. The yarn is a handspun, mostly bulky weight, from Northern Lights roving.

I wish I had a large green button for this, but I do have a purple button that may work. This scarf is for Farm Gal. I have a bit of knitting to go, but this is the last of my Christmas knitting. Once I cast off I will add a crochet loop instead of a button-hole, and the button. Weave in ends, and that's that. Unless I decide to block it out some.

I think I will be done in plenty of time.

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Recalculating

Christmas knitting continues. The hat that I had previously made for Lil'Farm Gal was a big hit, along with a sweatshirt for her birthday party. I want to make her another hat, with ear flaps for Christmas to go with the doll sweater and hat. Plus the knitting for her mom.

But the knitting isn't going down easy. I spent most of the afternoon decreasing the top of the mango hat, only to pull out the needle and rip back to just above the last cable row. I wanted to rethink the decreases. But I think I have my plan in place now.

On the other hand, Farm Gal's project may take some rethinking. I decided the light airy dove gray basket-weave scarf is still a bit dainty. She is a outdoorsy kind of girl. So I went stash diving and came up with these. In real life they look more blue and teal, and less yellow.

The current plan is to use this hand spun that was the same yarn I used for my Sporto hoodie a year ago. This yarn was plied on itself, instead of with white. I found a pattern on Ravelry for a mistake rib scarf. I'll sew a button on one end, in the middle. Then along the opposite end, I will try to work a crochet edging with loops left to use as button holes. If I make several loops, the fit can be adjustable.
That is the current plan. I'll keep you posted.

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The Flaps are Flying

The Toddler Earflap Hat is also a finished object.  Such a quick knit!  Since the ultimate recipient lives in Alaska, I am happy that it seems to be quite warm. 
So now I am turning to my Leftover Pi shawl.  It works up quite heavy, it feels almost worsted weight.  It may end up more of a lap robe than a shawl. 
I think it will be great travel knitting for my road trip today.  Easy and still small, it does however make a large totebag of yarn even though I had to repack my leftover sock yarn into two 2 gallon zip bags.  When it was in one 2 1/2 gallon bag, it broke the zipper!
So anyway, it is onward to Stevensville for the delayed help Christy day with road knitting.
Did I mention I'm not driving?

Flaps Down

With the baby sweater for Emmaline done, and saving the Leftover Pi shawl for my road trip I turned to other knitting. 
I finished the Peek-a-Boo fingers mitts for my Boss Lady.  And armed with the new knowledge that Sheila regularly sends care packages to the new grandson in Alaska.  Sheila is the other half of the grannies honored at the granny shower a couple weeks ago.
Since her munchkin is in Alaska, I figured a warm hat would be handy.  A quick search of both Ravelry and the stash yielded pattern and yarn for the Toddler Earflap Hat.
It is zooming right along.  The decreases for the crown has started and maybe I can finish it this in the next night or too.
I love baby knits, they are so fast!