Knitting

13, First Try at Dye and a New Book

July 10, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

BUSINESS AS USUAL

Like most other WIP Wednesdays, I’m linking up with a couple of other cool blogs, Tami Ami, Frontier Dreams KCCO and Ginny’s Knit Along. Check them out and prepare to be inspired!

ON THE NEEDLES

Wise Hilda’s Basic Ribbed Socks for Mr. Iknead

A few more inches and this one will ride off into the sunset of FOs.

BY THE BOOK

I finally made it to my local BN yesterday and purchased a copy of Stephen King’s newest, Joyland. I haven’t officially started reading it, except skimming through the pages and reading a sentence or two. Anxiously waiting for at least a 15 minute lull in the day so I can really get started.

ADVENTURES IN DYEING

Here’s the finished product I promised yesterday; it’s still a tad damp, but I think it turned out pretty well, don’t you?

First Try at Dyeing with Kool-aid – Pink Lemonade.

I found some really unattractive 100% yarn in the stash, it may be Lion Brand 100% Wool, sort of an oatmeal color. I’ve just now decided to overdye (if that’s the word) another color, possibly purple. Show and tell tomorrow.

The love of learning, the sequestered nooks/And all the sweet serenity of books. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Knitting

When Pots Speak

July 8, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

LEARNING

I’ve been heavily involved these past few days, checking out Google +, playing around with it and generally trying to get a feel for the site. I really like the idea, sort of a Pinterest/Facebook hybrid, I really don’t facebook much, would I use Google + more and is it easier to navigate? That remains to be seen, admittedly I’m more than a little technophobic and slow on the uptake when it comes to computer stuff. I prefer things to stay pretty much the same, I tend to melt down when something computeresque changes, even small things like layout and upgrades and it takes me forever to finally get comfortable with whatever changes happen. Slow, slow, slow in the computer literacy department.

GOING POTTY

Awesome pottery class this morning. I started a coiled pot Saturday afternoon, had to put it aside when the studio closed and then my mom had a small issue Sunday, she’s OK, but I wasn’t able to get back to work on it until class this morning. I’ve fallen completely in love with this pot; my instructor says I may have found my pottery “calling”, coils. I don’t know about that, there a lot of things/techniques I’ve never tried, but I am loving this pot.

I put the water bottle next to it so you could get an idea of its size, it’s not huge, but it’s the biggest thing I’ve done so far.

The soft square shape just sort of happened.

You can get a better idea of its shape here.

It’s finished and is in the damp box awaiting bisquing next week. This pot just happened, I had no plan or even any idea in my head, then, today, I knew when it was finished, don’t ask me how I knew, but I did. And no, I’m not hearing voices – yet. 🙂

ON THE NEEDLES

Mr. Iknead’s socks are still a WIP, but the heel turn is finished and gusset started on one and the 75% Medano Bag was finished this afternoon. I’ll show and tell it for sure on Friday. In the meantime, I’m trying as hard as I not to be seduced by the patterns in the newest Vogue Knitting, don’t know if I can resist…..

OOPS

Almost forgot, I’m linking up with Frontier Dreams Keep Calm and Craft On today. Check out the Flickr KCCO group. Very cool!

Learn to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want. Jim Rohn

Knitting

WIP Wednesday 07/03/13

July 3, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

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

Knitting

WIPW 6/26/13

June 26, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

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.

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

Knitting

You Mean It’s Not………

June 25, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

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

Knitting

Drive-by WIP Wednesday 6/19/13

June 19, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

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

Knitting

WIPW 06/05/13 and A Makeover

June 5, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

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

Knitting

WIPW 5/29/13 w/ Yarn Along

May 29, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

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’…….)

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

*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.

Knitting

WIPW 05/22/13, Yarn Along

May 22, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE NEEDLES

No, this isn’t the second Crocus Vernus sock. 😦 In the hustle and bustle of the Papoose’s birthday Saturday afternoon, when it came time to go home, the Crocus project bag was left behind. No problem. Texted Bigmommy, she’d found it and since she was coming to Little Rock Monday, she’d bring it. Still no problem. Got project back. Tiny issue. Looking to make sure that the sock in progress was in the bag, she accidently pulled one of the needles out. Wahhhhh. So, nearly finished Crocus Vernus sock totally frogged and restarted. You can bet I’ll be a lot more careful about getting all my projects in the knitting bag before I leave next time. It’s OK Bigmommy, I know it was an accident.

Still loving the Grrlfriend Market Bag so much I started another.

Still rolling on Granny’s Grab Bag Blanket using my left over sock yarn.

THE GRANDS

Happy birthday, Papoose. You’re three!

Papoose Playhouse

I’m linking up with Tami’s WIPW blog and Ginny’s Yarn Along, so head on over there for more WIPW and book love.

Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. Mother Teresa

Knitting

WIP Wednesday and HBD To You

May 15, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

WHO’S ON FIRST

Leading off is the Karma sweater, which I’ve made progress on even since taking this photo. One sleeve is finished, left to do is the other sleeve and a bit of stockinette around the neckline to make is roll even more –

This sweater has been a joy to knit!

Next up – A huge granny square using leftover sock yarn, with no particular effort to match yarn color or even coordination. I’m calling it Granny’s Grab Bag Blanket.

On third base – Crocus Vernus Socks, with heel flap begun, from The Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet:

You’ll just have to trust me regarding the heel flap.

Last up is another granny square, trying to coordinate colors this time, that may end up as a scarf. Who knows?

THE GRANDS

Tell me this is not the cutest baby ever! The Sprout being her lovely self –

Today is a special day in Pawpaw and BeBe World – The Papoose turns three today! Look how much she’s grown!

Hot off the presses!

Three years later….

Happy Birthday, Papoose!

I’m linking up, as usual, with Tami Ami’s WIP Wednesday blog. Come check it out!

Problems are only opportunities with thorns on them. Hugh Miller

Knitting

Habit, I Snapped

May 14, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

IT SEEMS LIKE SO LONG

It feels like weeks since I made my last post, but that can’t really be – my last post was Friday, just a few days ago. Blogging has become a fixture, I don’t have to remind myself to do it anymore, now, if it’s been more than a day or too, I feel that something is missing or something has been left undone. I’m happy to be back at my routine, even if it’s been just a few days.

BIRDY UPDATE

Mr. Iknead and I have become somewhat attached to the doves and their chicks nesting on our patio. Saturday morning, when I did my usual morning walk around, looking at my flowers and checking the feeders, I noticed that neither Mama or Daddy Dove was on the nest and got a good look at the babies. What did we do before iPhones??

Climbed up on the long disused doghouse and snapped this.

A little bit of research tells me that doves can raise up to six broods a year! We’re hoping that that’s true for “our” pair and we’ll have more chicks to enjoy.

ON THE NEEDLES

I’m still plugging along on too many projects and have added two more, crochet instead of knit. Will reveal for WIP Wednesday tomorrow. I think this brings the grand total up to six – the basket next to my knitting/reading chair runneth over!

You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. Mark Twain

Knitting

WIP Wednesday 05/08/13 Short n Sweet

May 8, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE NEEDLES

I think I have more WIPs than I ever have, due to a terminal case of startitis over the past month or so. I’ve been working steadily on each of them and so far project boredom hasn’t set in, which is a good thing, because that’s how my startitis starts. So, here they are, in no particular order:

Crocus Vernus Socks from Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet

The yarn is a mystery Shibui Sock that I discovered in the sale bin at Yarn Mart. I think it’s perfect, don’t you?

Sunday Swing Socks

These are also knitted using Shibui Sock, colorway Poodle Skirt and are sharing the stage with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee‘s newest book. I’m linking up with Ginny’s Yarn Along this week, so don’t forget to drop by and check out more projects and current reads.

Last, but certainly not least, is a simple, top down sweater I’m calling Karma as it started out as the Imagine Sweater, morphed into the Yarn Formerly Known As Sweater and is now born again. Instant Karma, anyone??