Are you ready to begin the journey ... journaling is such a popular trend these days, so why not leave your memories in lace - allowing the yarn overs of the past few days, the increases in joys, the decreases in pounds (if you're lucky!) .... special times captured and revisited for months and years to come ...
I've opted for Bernat Satin in Silk (4 skeins) and plan on adding a crochet edge by year's end with an additional skein of Camel... however, the choices are yours. Visit your stash or your local yarn shop .... but let's mark this new beginning by remembering the snow we all anticipated here in Alabama ... we stocked up on milk and bread, grateful that the blizzard never really formulated .... but being able to see snow for a few hours is still a precious reminder that each snowflake is a custom creation and that together they form a blanket of gentle beauty that seems to whisper in such simplicity the incredible Magnificance of the Maker.
I'm off to re-create my own freshly fallen snow ... hope you'll join me. Please let me know if you have any questions. Ready for the pattern?
Using size 8 needles,
Cast on 35 stitches and knit 4 rows before starting the pattern.
January Snowflakes (Multiple of 8 + 7)
1st & every other row (wrong side): Purl
2nd row (Right Side): K7, sl 1, k1, psso, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, *k3, s11, k1, psso, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, rep from * to last 7 sts, k7.
4th row: k8, yo, sl 2, k1, p2sso, yo, *k5, yo, sl 2, k1, p2sso, yo, rep from * to last 8 sts, k8.
6th row: Repeat 2nd row.
8th row: K3, sl 1, k1, psso, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, *k3, sl 1, k1, psso, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, rep from * to last 3 st, k3.
10th row: k4, yo, sl 2, k1, p2sso, yo, *k5, yo, sl 2, k1, p2sso, yo, rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
12th row: Repeat 8th row.
Knit Rows 1-12 two complete times.
Knit Rows 1-7 once.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
2010 ... blessings
2010 .... seems to hold so much possibility ..... loose 20 lbs in 10 days (i wish) .... lose 10 pounds in 20 days/months (more likely and/or i wish) ..... simplify things by half (ie 20/10 = start with 20/ end with 10 = 1/2 as much now! i really should have been a math major! NOT! :) so many options, so many lists ..... so NOT FUN!!!!!
i'm really thinking that this will be a good year to slow down a bit, maybe get semi-organized by recording things as i go each week and then by the end of the year have something tangible to show for my journey ....
to leave such a trail i think i'll knit a scarf .... a single strand of silk and wool that will record in yarn overs and decreases, the highlights of each month. Then when December rolls around i'll have a very gorgeous and symbolic record of things i've learned, stories interwoven about each month, the zigs and zags of daily life, the moments i needed to rip it out and start over, the lessons learned from friends who are my lifelines in the lace of my every day living ....
would you care to join me in this endeavor ... each day is as simple or complicated as we allow life to make it ... much like the lessons of lace .... overall, things look incredibly detailed BUT when we slow down and realize that lace, and life, are constructed one row at a time, one stitch at a time ... and often there is the peace and rest of being able to get away from the 'pattern' and just let the needles knit a row, purl a row, find respite in the sanctuary of the familiar...
i'm starting with 2 skeins of a wool/silk blend in my stash .... not too thick, not to thin .... i'll probably do a bit of swatching to just see what feels right and then .... take the plunge. Actually, if you think about this it will be a Swatch Calendar that will be connected and continued from initial cast on ... to final cast off!
Happy 2010!
i'm really thinking that this will be a good year to slow down a bit, maybe get semi-organized by recording things as i go each week and then by the end of the year have something tangible to show for my journey ....
to leave such a trail i think i'll knit a scarf .... a single strand of silk and wool that will record in yarn overs and decreases, the highlights of each month. Then when December rolls around i'll have a very gorgeous and symbolic record of things i've learned, stories interwoven about each month, the zigs and zags of daily life, the moments i needed to rip it out and start over, the lessons learned from friends who are my lifelines in the lace of my every day living ....
would you care to join me in this endeavor ... each day is as simple or complicated as we allow life to make it ... much like the lessons of lace .... overall, things look incredibly detailed BUT when we slow down and realize that lace, and life, are constructed one row at a time, one stitch at a time ... and often there is the peace and rest of being able to get away from the 'pattern' and just let the needles knit a row, purl a row, find respite in the sanctuary of the familiar...
i'm starting with 2 skeins of a wool/silk blend in my stash .... not too thick, not to thin .... i'll probably do a bit of swatching to just see what feels right and then .... take the plunge. Actually, if you think about this it will be a Swatch Calendar that will be connected and continued from initial cast on ... to final cast off!
Happy 2010!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
the ANY time gift!
There is an alarming statistic, recently posted, that revealed that there are still people in this world who do NOT know how to knit! i can't even fathom what their life must be like .... not able to enjoy the trips to the local yarn shop, the shear pleasure in finding yet another place to stash their yarn, the heartfelt joy of being able to share a knitted gift with family and friends! Bless their hearts! I really feel compelled right now to just stop and pray for them! That God would be merciful and send someone their way - to open their eyes to the hobby that He, Himself created when He knit you and I together in our mother's womb .......
Rather than stress over the fact that you don't have a knitted gift for this friend on your list, why not seek out this wandering soul and invite them over for a CAPpucino party?
Adopt a missionary mindset: Begin with a large, festive mug, fill with a fluffy skein of yarn in your friend's favorite color and then top with a pair of needles appropriate for a hat. Attach a gift card that has an invitation to teach them HOW to knit and then explain to them that before they leave your time together they will have all the skills necessary to make their very own stocking CAP!
Of course, it wouldn't hurt to share some cookies to go along with the coffee ... but if time won't permit such entertaining at home, then why not agree to meet for coffee while out and about .... nothing wrong with stopping in the midst of the day and sharing time with a friend ... and to be able to teach such a lifelesson and offer them a new sense of direction ... what a friend!
need more justification: why not consider this the best New Year's Resolution and/or Diet plan around! Avoid holiday treats and extra pounds by WALKING through the stores in search of the PERFECT yarn ... a) that counts as exercise .... b) yarn won't spike your blood sugar c) there are no calories in wool! d) drinking water while knitting/shopping will keep you hydrated, keep your hands busy so as not to eat those unnecessary treats and voila! -- the pounds will fall off of you and into your knitting stash!
what a GREAT friend you are!
Merry Christmas .... now go find that lost friend and give the gift that keeps on giving! PS: it's always nice to have a friend to find a sale with!
Rather than stress over the fact that you don't have a knitted gift for this friend on your list, why not seek out this wandering soul and invite them over for a CAPpucino party?
Adopt a missionary mindset: Begin with a large, festive mug, fill with a fluffy skein of yarn in your friend's favorite color and then top with a pair of needles appropriate for a hat. Attach a gift card that has an invitation to teach them HOW to knit and then explain to them that before they leave your time together they will have all the skills necessary to make their very own stocking CAP!
Of course, it wouldn't hurt to share some cookies to go along with the coffee ... but if time won't permit such entertaining at home, then why not agree to meet for coffee while out and about .... nothing wrong with stopping in the midst of the day and sharing time with a friend ... and to be able to teach such a lifelesson and offer them a new sense of direction ... what a friend!
need more justification: why not consider this the best New Year's Resolution and/or Diet plan around! Avoid holiday treats and extra pounds by WALKING through the stores in search of the PERFECT yarn ... a) that counts as exercise .... b) yarn won't spike your blood sugar c) there are no calories in wool! d) drinking water while knitting/shopping will keep you hydrated, keep your hands busy so as not to eat those unnecessary treats and voila! -- the pounds will fall off of you and into your knitting stash!
what a GREAT friend you are!
Merry Christmas .... now go find that lost friend and give the gift that keeps on giving! PS: it's always nice to have a friend to find a sale with!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thanks Giving
Last Christmas Rachael and I tackled this "project" for my knitting room. She posed for her picture, took my picture then helped me crop and color things in photoshop. We painted the verse on the wall, mounted our photos onto canvas and hung them with the scarf i had knitted to connect the two .... and now, when i sit in my rocking chair tucked into the corner of my room, i see that precious verse and continue to whisper that prayer that the Lord has been hearing from me for the past 27 years!
My children mean the world to me and daily i thank the Lord for such a precious gift. Their choices aren't always mine but God continues to remind me that He is Faithful and will forever hold them in the palm of His hand because they have all given their hearts to Him at an earlier age! Watching them grow and leave the house to find their way, under His leadership, is what we dream of as parents..... hearing the cardoor slam as they return Home to visit is this Mom's music! Bo is home, watching HD Football and eating (he swears this is Heaven on earth right now!) and Rach got in last night. And before we could even get things unloaded she was asking if i was ready to show her how to knit! .... i tried to act like i didn't have time, but PLEASE!!! this has only been something i've longed for for.... EVER maybe?? :)
i had shown her the basic knit stitch several years ago, but life and friends and school pulled her attention elsewhere and it was tucked back in a far corner. However, once she picked up the needles the motion returned, and she was off and knitting with a simple little nudge of encouragement. After a few rows i asked, rather meekly, if she was interested in learning to purl .. .ABSOLUTELY! and she was off again! it didn't take too long for her to decide that she was Ready for her 1st project .. .and it couldn't be 'just plain, straight knitting'!!!
i pulled a copy of 101 Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders off the shelf and she opted for a lace scarf pattern (gotta love those precious over-achievers who aren't fearful enough to know they should actually think it might be too hard!)
yes, at this moment in time my heart it happy. no, actually my heart is skipping and giggling and thankful for a precious moment with my daughter. to look over and see Bo, all stretched out on the sofa, breathing deeply (aka snoring) makes me smile. to then glance over and see her sitting beside me on the sofa, reading a pattern and being able to find her mistakes and to see the smile when she completes a row and then to observe that her shoulders are NOT up under her ears ... that she is smiling while she's knitting ...
so much to be thankful for .... NOW ... when she visits my stash, we may just have to talk! :)
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sharing a Hug
When was the last time you opened your arms and extended a hug to someone in need? Did they walk right in .... sink close into your embrace and together you both understood all those things that words can't express.
Have you ever thought that your knitting was often a hug as well? We have a special student in our choir class who is battling a return of an earlier childhood leukemia ... chemo has left him with a bare head for the time being and the students in our choir have banded together for a Hat Party for him. They brought hats and more hats to class on Friday ... some brought stocking caps, some brought fedoras, beanies, reindeer antlers, baseball caps .. you name, they brought. and when all was said and done a box FULL of hugs are on their way to this precious child who is now waiting a bone marrow transplant so he can return to class.
i found some cashmere in my stash that was just waiting for this hug! Knit Simple, Winter 08, had several awesome options to consider and within a few hours a hug and a prayer was knit into this cap and hopefully soon onto his precious head, serving as a reminder that our hands are always extensions of God's grace and love and mercy ....
our yarn .. His Hugs!
Have you ever thought that your knitting was often a hug as well? We have a special student in our choir class who is battling a return of an earlier childhood leukemia ... chemo has left him with a bare head for the time being and the students in our choir have banded together for a Hat Party for him. They brought hats and more hats to class on Friday ... some brought stocking caps, some brought fedoras, beanies, reindeer antlers, baseball caps .. you name, they brought. and when all was said and done a box FULL of hugs are on their way to this precious child who is now waiting a bone marrow transplant so he can return to class.
i found some cashmere in my stash that was just waiting for this hug! Knit Simple, Winter 08, had several awesome options to consider and within a few hours a hug and a prayer was knit into this cap and hopefully soon onto his precious head, serving as a reminder that our hands are always extensions of God's grace and love and mercy ....
our yarn .. His Hugs!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Do you hear what I hear?
have you ever held your yarn and just simply KNEW what you had to knit with it? the pattern, the texture, the colors dictated and inspired, and at times even SCREAMED just how it should be knit?
well, i recently found that to be true when Rachael picked this skein of yarn to compliment a new coat for this winter. i tried a seed stitch and actually had a nice little scarf unfolding but the results just weren't the "IT" i had hoped for ... and then i saw IT in my mind ... the tassels, the deep rib stitch ..... and after several attempts and rip outs and do-overs i finally found IT .... and it has been flying off the needles - - and i'm LOVING it !!!!!
i finally decided on 17 stitches. and did i mention that i tackled 'fringe' for the first time! I cast on 1 stitch, pulled out 18" for fringe and attached that back, cast on another stitch and pulled out another 18" for fringe and followed that same procedure until i had 16 fringes and 17 stitches loaded.
I purled back the entire row by purling 2 together (one cast on and one fringe loop) and then ending with a single purl stitch.
Now time for the scarf pattern:
Knit 2, *K 1 in the stitch BELOW, purl 1*, repeat * *to last 3 stitches, K 1 in stitch BELOW, end with Knit 2.
Knit 2, *purl 1, K 1 in the stitch BELOW*, repeat ** to last 3 stitches, purl 1, end with Knit 2.
Follow this pattern to desired length and then end with a full Purl Row.
End with a Knit 1, add fringe, Knit 1, add fringe, etc. ending with a Knit 1. Bind off by k2tog, (K1 plus fringe loop), k2tog, pass 1st stitch over 2nd. Continue binding off in the m
anner until you have 1 stitch remaining. Cut yarn and pull through to end your scarf. Weave loose ends. Rachael's scarf is going to need almost 2 skeins. (One thing i actually remembered to do was to measure out how much yarn i would need to finish the scarf - ie, how much would it take to do the fringe row. i measured that much off from the outside of the skein of yarn and wrapped it up as a 'reserve', then continued knitting by pulling from the middle of the skein)
To make fringe, i measured 18" of yarn and folded it back up towards the needle. I then squeezed this end on the needle and grabbed the long loop and twisted it 20 times. This resulted in the yarn twisting up on itself. I slipped the end loop onto the needle and did another cast on ... I'm sure there are probably better explanations but i found that this worked for me and after trying to 'eyeball' things i found an envelope that served as the perfect template for measuring the loop each time.
Listening to my yarn has been so much fun ....hearing the comments that others have made when they see it has helped to confirm that it really does pay to be still and listen. No need to be afraid of the quiet ... sometimes the silence screams loud enough for us all to hear!
well, i recently found that to be true when Rachael picked this skein of yarn to compliment a new coat for this winter. i tried a seed stitch and actually had a nice little scarf unfolding but the results just weren't the "IT" i had hoped for ... and then i saw IT in my mind ... the tassels, the deep rib stitch ..... and after several attempts and rip outs and do-overs i finally found IT .... and it has been flying off the needles - - and i'm LOVING it !!!!!
i finally decided on 17 stitches. and did i mention that i tackled 'fringe' for the first time! I cast on 1 stitch, pulled out 18" for fringe and attached that back, cast on another stitch and pulled out another 18" for fringe and followed that same procedure until i had 16 fringes and 17 stitches loaded.
I purled back the entire row by purling 2 together (one cast on and one fringe loop) and then ending with a single purl stitch.
Now time for the scarf pattern:
Knit 2, *K 1 in the stitch BELOW, purl 1*, repeat * *to last 3 stitches, K 1 in stitch BELOW, end with Knit 2.
Knit 2, *purl 1, K 1 in the stitch BELOW*, repeat ** to last 3 stitches, purl 1, end with Knit 2.
Follow this pattern to desired length and then end with a full Purl Row.
End with a Knit 1, add fringe, Knit 1, add fringe, etc. ending with a Knit 1. Bind off by k2tog, (K1 plus fringe loop), k2tog, pass 1st stitch over 2nd. Continue binding off in the m
anner until you have 1 stitch remaining. Cut yarn and pull through to end your scarf. Weave loose ends. Rachael's scarf is going to need almost 2 skeins. (One thing i actually remembered to do was to measure out how much yarn i would need to finish the scarf - ie, how much would it take to do the fringe row. i measured that much off from the outside of the skein of yarn and wrapped it up as a 'reserve', then continued knitting by pulling from the middle of the skein)To make fringe, i measured 18" of yarn and folded it back up towards the needle. I then squeezed this end on the needle and grabbed the long loop and twisted it 20 times. This resulted in the yarn twisting up on itself. I slipped the end loop onto the needle and did another cast on ... I'm sure there are probably better explanations but i found that this worked for me and after trying to 'eyeball' things i found an envelope that served as the perfect template for measuring the loop each time.
Listening to my yarn has been so much fun ....hearing the comments that others have made when they see it has helped to confirm that it really does pay to be still and listen. No need to be afraid of the quiet ... sometimes the silence screams loud enough for us all to hear!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Budget Blessings!
The older i get the more i've come to understand that is really IS all about perspective! Some people NEVER seem to be content with what they have - they're always in search of "IT" ... just ONE more thing ... and then there are those people who would give you the shirt off their back -- the blanket off their needles -- the favorite knitting book off their shelf!
i recently participated in a "Swap on a Budget" group in Ravelry. The goal was to be assigned to a secret pal and over the course of a few months leave clues along the way, coupled with survey questions completed at the initial signing, that would land a budget-friendly swap of knitting prizes from a new friend. The naticipation of waiting for the revealmednt, coupled with the fun of knitting for someone else - collecting goodies and prizes that would fit within the allotted budget constraints - made for a fun adventure. You suddenly find yourself looking for things that you think your new friend would like - in her favorite colors or scents or sizes. Budget conscience shopping was seen as an acceptable, rather than taboo, challenge now! and knowing that my secret pal would receive hre git with open arms AND heart made the trips to the sales rack even more fun! (not to mention it helped justify the shopping! :)
Shopping - or knitting - for someone else seems to be the reason we ALL do much of what we do. The heart of a knitter, I have learned, is a gracious one - always seeking to bring a smile or a hug or a simple expression of love into the life of someone else. We've worked on blessing blankets and baby bibs and discovered the joy and contentment of giving! However, to be the recipient of such generosity - though never our original intent - really IS a special place to be as well!
During the swap my 'secret pal' had to have emergency surgery (unbeknownst to me) and as i waited and waited for my 'prize' to arrive i found myself reverting into a smaller, and more juvenile child with each passing day that my mailbox remained empty! However, the moderator of our forum was busy behind the scenes finding an 'angel' that quickly volunteered to become my new 'secret pal' and before i knew it, there was a box on the counter filled with the goodies shown above!
My favorite colors, POUNDS of yarn in the most awesome color of green, new knitting needles, note cards, a ruler, amazing bags to hold all my knitting ... she even quickly whipped up that awesome striped drawstring bag just for me! and then, as if that weren't enough, she shared her only copy of a special book AND several patterns - one of which was her original design - to compliment the yarn. Most of this was pulled from her stash ... ALL of this was shared from her heart.
CLEARLY blessings can't be measured in dollars - the 'prize' box i received continues to make me smile ... and will, for a LONG time, be a great story to share with others i meet! My needles will always be poised and ready to return that favor ... to be an angel with yarn for wings ... and prizes to share ..... and a renewed awareness of the verse in Hebrews .... to be kind to strangers because you NEVER KNOW when you're hosting an angel unaware!
Blessings!
i recently participated in a "Swap on a Budget" group in Ravelry. The goal was to be assigned to a secret pal and over the course of a few months leave clues along the way, coupled with survey questions completed at the initial signing, that would land a budget-friendly swap of knitting prizes from a new friend. The naticipation of waiting for the revealmednt, coupled with the fun of knitting for someone else - collecting goodies and prizes that would fit within the allotted budget constraints - made for a fun adventure. You suddenly find yourself looking for things that you think your new friend would like - in her favorite colors or scents or sizes. Budget conscience shopping was seen as an acceptable, rather than taboo, challenge now! and knowing that my secret pal would receive hre git with open arms AND heart made the trips to the sales rack even more fun! (not to mention it helped justify the shopping! :)
Shopping - or knitting - for someone else seems to be the reason we ALL do much of what we do. The heart of a knitter, I have learned, is a gracious one - always seeking to bring a smile or a hug or a simple expression of love into the life of someone else. We've worked on blessing blankets and baby bibs and discovered the joy and contentment of giving! However, to be the recipient of such generosity - though never our original intent - really IS a special place to be as well!
During the swap my 'secret pal' had to have emergency surgery (unbeknownst to me) and as i waited and waited for my 'prize' to arrive i found myself reverting into a smaller, and more juvenile child with each passing day that my mailbox remained empty! However, the moderator of our forum was busy behind the scenes finding an 'angel' that quickly volunteered to become my new 'secret pal' and before i knew it, there was a box on the counter filled with the goodies shown above!
My favorite colors, POUNDS of yarn in the most awesome color of green, new knitting needles, note cards, a ruler, amazing bags to hold all my knitting ... she even quickly whipped up that awesome striped drawstring bag just for me! and then, as if that weren't enough, she shared her only copy of a special book AND several patterns - one of which was her original design - to compliment the yarn. Most of this was pulled from her stash ... ALL of this was shared from her heart.
CLEARLY blessings can't be measured in dollars - the 'prize' box i received continues to make me smile ... and will, for a LONG time, be a great story to share with others i meet! My needles will always be poised and ready to return that favor ... to be an angel with yarn for wings ... and prizes to share ..... and a renewed awareness of the verse in Hebrews .... to be kind to strangers because you NEVER KNOW when you're hosting an angel unaware!
Blessings!
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