Tag: WIP Wednesday

Knitting

Frog Pond/WIP Wednesday 10/02/13

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ON THE NEEDLES

If this Le Miz shawl looks smaller than last week, it’s because it is.  I found an awful, unfixable, un-live-withable mistake way, way back nearly at the  beginning.  This shawl is 712 rows long and I was probably on row 400 or so.  No way I was going to tink it back.  Ever.  Timewise, it made more sense to just bite the bullet and start the whole thing over.  So I did.

Linking with Tami’s WIP Wednesday and Frontier Dreams today.

If you cannot be silent be brilliant and thoughtful.  Byron Pulsifer

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday 9/25/13 and Happy Birthday

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Happy First Birthday, Sprout!

I’M INTO POTS

Oh my gosh!  What a difference seven days makes!  First pottery throwing class was last week and I admit it – I wasn’t sure that that whole wheel thing was for me.  I did promise myself that I’d give it four weeks and if I still wasn’t feeling it, I’d go back into the morning handbuilding class.  Well, yesterday’s attempt at the wheel was totally different, something clicked inside my head (in a good way) and it was so cool!  The clay stuck to the wheel, just like it was supposed to, centering the pot on the wheel was a million times easier and by the end of class, my hands were beginning to know what to do to cone the clay up and down on their own.  Nothing post-worthy yet, but I may go to the Art Center today to practice more, besides, I have a pot that needs to be glazed and I’m thinking black.

GRINS AND GRANDS

I ran across this photo when I was looking for something else on Flickr.  I don’t know how I missed it because I love it!  My son, Jordan, and his niece, Susannah.  Isn’t it sweet?

ON THE NEEDLES

Les Miserables from Cynthia Parker, Hand Held Knitting in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Using

I’ve also started on some Christmas knitting, which, for obvious reasons, must be kept under wraps until then.

TOPSPIN

My roving FINALLY arrived and this is what it has become –

Mixed undyed black and white roving from Fire and Fluff, this may further morph into socks, but I’ve still not decided for sure.

Linking with Tami Amis and Frontier Dreams.

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.  Mother Teresa

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday 9/11/13

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ON THE NEEDLES

Freebie Lacy Rib Cowl, CEY

Mini Mochi, color #113

and

Moonfire Handknits Blue Day Socks

Fiesta Baby Boom Sweet Pea (which I’m a little nervous about because my calcs come out about 20 yards too short); thinking positive thinking positive thinking positive.

BY THE BOOK

I finished Orphan Train yesterday, a little disappointed with the ending, but a great read overall and am planning to start Stephen Gallagher‘s The Bedlam Detective today, with a couple of others that are waiting in the wings, Life of Pi and The Devil in Pew Number Seven.  I’m trying to be patient, I’m at my 10 book checkout limit and so must wait until the next two books expire.  Yet another instance of Mr. Iknead’s austerity plan, which, I have to admit, is good practice for me.  I don’t consider myself really impatient, more, umm, excitable would be a good word.

The Bedlam Detective: A Novel

Linking with Tami, Frontier Dreams KCCO and Yarn Along today.

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.  Joseph Addison

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday 9/4/13, Yarn Along and Spinning

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ON THE NEEDLES

Today’s entry is the CEY Ruffled Tank, which lacks only the ruffles to be finished.  Actually, I’m pretty proud of myself today.  I sat down this morning and did the part of completing a project that I HATE – the mattress stitch.  This is a real accomplishment for me as I can think of at least a couple of projects that are entirely finished – except for putting them together.  I dislike it so much that I’ll put something that I put a lot of time and effort into on the back burner, never to be seen or worked on again.  Maybe I should go unearth something and finish it while I’m still congratulating myself, on that cloud of optimism that comes with finishing a dreaded task.  Nah.  Tomorrow.  Maybe.

CEY Ruffled Tank

in Knit One Crochet Too Kettle Dyed, in Seaside

SPIN OUT

I’m getting better at it, I can see it.  My long anticipated roving arrived yesterday and after a period of oohs and aahs, I decided on the natural gray and white BFL to start and this is what resulted:

Is this beautiful or what?

Before spinning, mixed BFL

Nutmeg Merino

Copper – Colonial

This lovely fiber came from Fire and Fluff and you can bet I’ll be paying them another virtual visit soon.

BY THE BOOK

Here’s what I’m reading at the moment –

Orphan Train

Linking with Tami’s WIP Wednesday blog, Frontier Dreams KCCO and Ginny’s Yarn Along.  Pay them  a visit, they’re always a treat!

Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.  Zig Ziglar

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Knitting

Look What I Got, WIPW 08/21/13 and Snakewoman

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I’M SO EXCITED AND I JUST CAN’T HIDE IT

OK, so I’ve been lusting after a spinning wheel, putting a little money back every now and then and doing a lot of window shopping online.   Then, yesterday, I found out that a lady who worked where I used to work had a spinning wheel and was wanting to sell it.  She and I e-mailed back and forth, she sent me some pics and now, as of 5:00 p.m., I have a wheel and not just any wheel, an Ashford Traveller!   Here in the south, it’s considered bad manners to talk about money, much less bragging (that’s what I was taught, anyway), but without stating the amount, it was less than half of what I thought I’d have to pay for one.  Isn’t she beautiful???

Pay no attention to the fact that I’ve never used a wheel before, hopefully, I’ll catch on pretty quick.  Isn’t that what YouTube is for?

ON THE NEEDLES

I’ve been so excited about the new wheel, I almost let this WIP Wednesday get away from me, but here’s my WIPW offering this week –

Ruffle Tank, using the Knit One Crochet Too Kettle Tweed I named My Destin-E.

and last, but not least

BY THE BOOK

My current book in progress is Snakewoman of Little Egypt by Robert Hellenga and I’m loving it!  Very quirky, just like I like it.

Snakewoman of Little Egypt

Here’s to learning new skills!

I almost forgot – I’m linking with Tami’s and Frontier Dreams today.

A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again.  Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday 7/17/13, Doing the Herb

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ON THE NEEDLES

Mr. Iknead’s socks continue to grow.  The first of the pair is finished, and the second maybe 2/3 finished.  My goal is to have them done in time for FO Friday.  I’ve said that before and been defeated, but hope springs eternal and all that.

Wise Hilda’s Basic Ribbed Socks for Mr. Iknead

THE HERB

I noticed yesterday that my basil was beginning to flower and that means it needed to be harvested quickly if I’m to have more basil this summer.  I was going to dry it, but learned that because basil has a high water content, it does better when frozen than when dried.  Learn something new every day, I do.

That’s plain basil on the left, lime basil on the right

My kitchen smells HEAVENLY!

BY THE BOOK

I’m nearly through with Joyland and have enjoyed it immensely, wishing sometimes that there were just a couple more hours in the day, like 26 or 27 instead of just 24, just so I could squeeze in a little more of my favorite pastimes.  (I think I just heard a few moms of toddlers groan.)  I also checked out a couple of library books on spinning and knitting; the pictures are lovely, I may never get to the text!

I’m linking up today with Tami, Ginny’s Yarn Along and Frontier Dreams KCCO.  Don’t forget to visit these awesome blogs!

Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.  John Lennon

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday 07/03/13

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ON THE NEEDLES

Wise Hilda’s Basic Ribbed Socks for Mr. Iknead

75% Medano Bag

I reduced the this pattern by 25% and went down a needle size.  The full sized bag was just too big for me to comfortably carry.

Yarn Along

I’m linking up today, as usual, with Tami Ami’s, Frontier Dreams and Ginny’s Yarn Along.  Pay them a visit, willya?

Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not.  Walter Bagehot

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Knitting

WIPW 6/26/13

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ON THE NEEDLES

This is the WIP that I nearly went nuts getting posted to this week’s WIPW yesterday, only to figure out that was NOT Wednesday, it was Tuesday and no, I’m not oriented as to the time, place or person. Hanging out in a hospital room will do that to you.

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Scrappy Yarn Blanket from The Heathen Housewife

http://www.shellykang.com

A Free Ravelry Pattern

APPRECIATION

I just want to give a quick Thank You to all who have encouraged me and prayed for Mom and me these past few days.  I can definitely feel them all.   They’ve really made a difference, helping me maintain a positive attitude and a patient heart.

I’m linking up today with Tami and Frontier Dreams, give them a visit and be prepared to be wowed!

If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.  Wayne Dyer

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Knitting

You Mean It’s Not………

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WHAT’S UP

Still coming to you live from the 4th floor, UAMS, another day spent sitting in Mom’s room, imploring her to eat, which doesn’t work very well, but I was able to get about 1/4 of her supper into her.   It seems to take forever, between sips of water or tea and I’ll admit right here that even in routine situations, my patience is short at best, but, you do what you have to do.  She’s having difficulty drinking, I can’t tell if she’s just too weak or can’t remember how to use a straw, so I’m using the old straw in the drink, finger over the straw, into the mouth for a drink method.  Then, as I was doing this for the billionth time today, the idea of using a sippy cup occurred to me, so I’ll give that a whirl tomorrow.  Her doc told me today that if her blood pressure stabilized a bit and if her appetite started returning, there’s a possibility of discharge back to the nursing home sometime tomorrow.  We’ll see.

WHA…..?

I spent most of the day attempting to get one of my current WIPs photos downloaded so I could post it for WIPW (the internet service sucks at the hospital, to the point of  being nonexistant) and guess what???  IT’S NOT WEDNESDAY!  Hospitals can do that to you, every single day is the same, only the faces change and the days are really, truly a minimim of 48 hours.  There’s actually something called ICU psychosis, brought on because there’s no discernible day or night in the ICU, the lights are always on and the routine has no beginning or end.  I think I might have a touch of it and I’m not even the patient!

THE GRANDS

No matter what, these little ones bring me joy beyond measure, so here’s my happy for today –

The Papoose, Smiling With Her Whole Face

Babydiva, In a Rare Moment of Stillness

Couldn’t You Just Overdose on the Sprout’s Cute???

SILVER LINING

Since I labored all day under the impression that today was Wednesday, not Tuesday, a photo has been taken and uploaded and blog post drafted, nearly ready for posting; so, for once, I’m already a little ahead of the game for once.

Never let yesterday use up too much of today.  Will Rogers

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Knitting

Drive-by WIP Wednesday 6/19/13

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EXCUSES, EXCUSES

This post is later than usual for a very good reason – I was with the Papoose and the Sprout pretty much all day today and as much as I love to blog, share and probably, at times, overshare, if given the choice, the grands are going to win out every time.  We all had a blast and laughed and chased and hid and laughed some more.  What a blessing of a day!  Really, it just doesn’t get better than today.  No way, no how.  I’ve some awesome photos to share tomorrow – I took about a bazillion – so get ready for some grand goodness then.

ON THE NEEDLES

A little backstory:  I bought this yarn about a month ago from Jimmy Beans Wool, mostly because it was on sale and sometimes, the Mad Tosh yells “buy me, buy me” louder than the little voice I carry around in my head that says, “you know, you have plenty of yarn just back in the room and besides, remember Mr. Iknead’s austerity plan?  Really, even without the plan, do you NEED this yarn?”  YES YES YES, SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP LITTLE VOICE, MAD TOSH IS IN TOWN AND IS TAKING NO PRISONERS!

Before Winding

After Winding

Mad Tosh Chunky

Nectar

See why I folded under pressure?  Could anyone have resisted?

Then, on Monday, I found the cutest shrug on Sweaterbabe.com and bam, I knew without a hint of doubt that the Tosh was meant for the shrug and the shrug was meant for the Tosh.  The stars aligned, the angels sang, the whole nine yards.  So, here’s todays WIP Wednesday offering –

#101 Quick Shawl Collared Shrug

Look at the difference in the colors.  It’s more of a coppery color than purple, the unwound pic is truer to life.

What do you think?  Are they soul mates or what???

Linking up with Tami’s WIP Wednesday blog today.  Go on over and enjoy.

I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.  Thomas Jefferson

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Knitting

WIPW 06/05/13 and A Makeover

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ON THE NEEDLES

For your viewing pleasure, I present Heidi Kirrmaier’s Mendano Beach bag, in Sugar and Cream 100% cotton, Country Red and Ecru, started last evening.  I love everything about this bag, especially the tie shoulder strap.  Being vertically, ahem, challenged, bag straps are usually too long, so a adjustable strap is always a good thing.  The price is right also, a free Rav pattern.

MOVING ALONG

The Sunday Swing socks are finished, cast off, ends woven and photos taken but you’ll have to wait until FO Friday for the unveiling.  There will be no FOs posted until it’s time. ; )  Remember those old commercials, for Bartles and Jaymes, I think.  A blast from the past as they say.

LANDSCAPED AND LOVELY

For another type of finished project, look at our new front yard!  We’ve gone from the ugliest yard on the block to the most beautiful, IMO.  We finally were able to have a sprinkler system installed and had real, live landscapers come in and transform it for us.  Here’s a really embarrassing before photo-

and a couple of afters, as of yesterday morning

Love my Hydrangeas!

I’m linking up with Tami’s WIPW blog and Frontier Dreams Keep Calm Craft On blog on this Wednesday.  Don’t forget to pay them a visit!

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.  Aristotle

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Knitting

WIPW 5/29/13 w/ Yarn Along

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ON THE NEEDLES

After the needle crisis last week, complete frogging and after starting the Crocus Vernus socks one more time, all was peachy keen.  I was loving my new metal needles, how smooth they were and the way the socks nearly FLEW off them – until it all came to a screeching halt Monday evening. Actually, the screeching was me after finding the cable on my new needles had apparently gotten mixed up with something sharp resulting in microdamage to the cable.  Nothing slid any more.  Can’t see it, can barely feel it, but it’s there.  There to the point of not being able to move the sock past that point in the cable.  Frustratus maximus*.  I tried to smooth it with an emery board, tried to paint over it with clear nail polish, nothing worked.  So, see ya later nice metal circs that I’d been so excited about.  Changed needles out, back on the old, reliable Knitpicks Harmonies.  At least, no frogging was involved.  I think that might have completely driven me ’round the knitting bend – which may be closer than I ever thought, according to my daughter, a really, really dedicated non-knitter person who has never turned down a knitted gift.  (I’m just sayin’…….)

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Yarn Along/WIPW with Crocus Vernus

I’m linking up today with Tami’s WIPW blog and Ginny’s Yarn Along, pay them a visit, will you?  They’re always a midweek treat!

The secret of success is constancy to purpose.  Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield

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*Frustratus maximus – a term I just made up to describe the feeling I get when I want to chuck the whole knitting project and move on to something else.