WIP Weds: Zonked!

On friday I told you about all the firsts I would be involved in last weekend…

My friend Bonnie and I went into Toronto for the DKC Knit Frolic!

2013 DKC knit frolic – Bonnie and I high on fibre fumes :0)

Lots of people and potential treasures

Some friends from home

The Girls!

 and hi Debbie D! (wish I took your picture too)

Treasures that came home with me :0)

I will highlight my purchases on Friday, so you can get a better look.

 First Communion of my Cousins little girl.

First Birthday of their little boy.

1st Birthday Party

and I actually learned to Crochet a strip of Mile a minute afghan 

Dk weight yarn

well more like a foot in and hour… Cool, my only crochet accomplishment has been granny squares to this point!

Really good video instruction!

Background for this success story: Crochet has never really appealed to me, I had a brush with brain tumors, a few years ago. Stuck in bed with mobility issues, and knitting being a little too much to wrap my head around, my darling mother brought me a crochet hook and a Ball (a round ball) of yarn, and a book… needless to say the book and hook went into beside table drawer and ball is still on vacation with the dust bunnies somewhere! Totally frustrated…who wants to crochet anyway (this was probably a really bad time to start a new skill) DH brought me a spindle and a hand full of fibre, tranquility was restored :0)

and the Scrap Jar for April

Oh and Jack is famous, he’s in the Guardian Uk news 

And after all this I am Zonked!

Current WIP List (13)

I am starting to note how close to done my WIP’s are.

1. Sssydney and friends two more to do
2. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project
3. From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf 45% Done
4. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due May 25) 5%
5. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
6. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
7. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
8. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
9. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
10. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
11. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
12. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
13. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 36

WIPS 2013 = 13

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 = 34

Books 2013 = 14

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Tired of looking at WIP’s

I am getting fed-up with my WIP list. I have decided that several of my projects need finishing, they have been on the list too long.

So once a month I am going to finish and feature a UFO from my WIP list. This was on my New Years Resolution List 2013! 

Kelp Forest Shawl Begun June 10,2012 98% done

Kelp Forest shawl, So close to finished! Will finish this in April!

I have to admit that this has not been finished for 2 reasons.

1) not fond of the colour 

2) looks impressive however like most round shawls, lacks wearability (looks terrible on) will finish it anyway and get it off the list!

Unfortunately while retiring one WIP will be adding another. My cousins little boy, Jackson is turning 1-year-old this month and I have started Playful stripes for him.

Body knit first, sleeves worked together on same needle, as I had only one 3.5mm circ – note this is going to present a problem when setting the sleeves in the body for the yoke…

I have no idea what to do for his sisters First Communion, on the same day. Quick ideas would be appreciated. As a Protestant, not sure of the etiquette for this Catholic celebration. 

The March is over so here is The Scrap Jar so far for 2013

3 Months of Scraps from knitting projects!

Found on Ravelry: Cladonia by Kirsten Kapur This shawl has an intriguing cast off edge

Current WIP List (12)

1. Playful Stripes Cardiganby Alana Dakos (due Apr)
2. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due July)
3. Kelp Forest Shawlette - very close to done
4. Sea of Dreams Blanket
5. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done
6. My Spring Socks – My design
7. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
8. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
9. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost
10. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry
11. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest
12. Cozy Winter Shawl
13. Pine Forest Baby Blanket

FO’s 2013 = 25

WIPS 2013 = 12 + 1 = 13

Used of  37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 =  23

Books 2013 = 11 + 1 = 12

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

FO Friday: Cast on mania, 28 on and 28 off!

 Well Cast on Mania is over, Hurray! What a wild ride.

27 of 28 projects

Family friend, visiting to watch the Hockey game on Saturday adopted it :0)

wk1, wk2  and wk3, finished everything to date.

Cast on Mania Ravelry Forum

(here’s the to do list for February)

Week 4 – The final push to the finish

2/21/13 A Box of Boxes Blanket My stashbusting design!

Box 16, I lightly steam pressed this project, the sock yarn responded brilliantly!

 2/22/13 Toddler Tootsies #1 My stashbusting design, 

 2/23/13 Toddler Tootsies #2 

pair #6

 2/24/13 A Box of Boxes Blanket Another stashbusting design!

box 17

 2/25/13 Beryl Blanket by Juliet Bernard

hex 59

 2/26/13 Toddler Tootsies #1 and 2/27/13 Toddler Tootsies #2 

This is the 7th pair for a fund-raiser at Church

2/28/13 Beryl Blanket by Juliet Bernard

This is the 60th hex, I have a long way to go yet. It is big enough to cover my lap so far!

2/18/13 Easy Peazy Shawl For my Kal group This is a largest project, I  did this month.

took 1 1/8th ball

Well I can say I would think twice before I would attempt this again. I was exciting and interesting to watch all the projects develop on the Forum. It definitely was a challenge and I am delighted and enervated that I managed it!

The Jar for february with all the little snipits

Current WIP List (10)

1. Top Down Swing Pullover – One sleeve done
2. Easy Peazy Shawl 2.0 For my Kal group
3. Toddler Tootsies #1 Pair 6
4. Toddler Tootsies #2 Pair 7
5. My Spring Socks – My design
6. Beryl Blanket – Long term project (2 hexs for Cast on Mania)
7. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project (2 Box for Cast on Mania)
8. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost
9. Kelp Forest Shawlette - very close to done
10. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry
11. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest
12. Cozy Winter Shawl
13. Pine Forest Baby Blanket

FO’s 2013 = 19 +  3  = 22

WIPS 2013 = 13 - 3  = 10

Used of purchased patterns from Rav = 34 – 7 = 27

Stash Used 2013 =  11 + 8 = 19

Books 2013 = 9

Thanks again for visiting,

cya next week

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Scarves, Scarves and More…

  Good morning all, so nice to see you again. <sniff, cough, shiver> yes, I have a hum-dinger of a cold!

And Jack is back. For the last week he has been the quiet guy, napping most of the time since he was remodeled. This morning Jack returned to his old self. The morning began with a kitten in the face, then proceeded on to a moving lump under the kitchen tablecloth, which knocked everything off the table. He visits with everyone carrying on a churping conversation, too bad if you are busy in the shower, or on the computer, or knitting. He is also demanding cuddles.

Willow was hoping that the vet had removed Jack’s bounciness.

On to the important stuff

The Jar December 1,2012

Begun Mar 1,2012, almost full…

“Bombur’s Travelling Socks”.

One done

Ruffle Scarf #4

Ruffle Scarf #5

done for friday, forgot to take progress photo

Ruffle Scarf #6

I couldn’t get the colour of this photo quite right.

Favorite Scarf Ever

I really like this pattern, a pleasure to knit.

This weeks Audio book: North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

One of my favourites, written in 1855, along with “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, this would be a must have on a desert island.

Chapter 1,  2,  3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,

13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,

25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35,

36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45,

I want to thank all those volunteers who contributed reading chapters for this free recording.

Oh I made a new page for Audiobooks

FO’s 2012 = 73

Patterns from my own Library = 6

WIP’s 2012 = 1 + 4 = 5

Stash used 2012 = 81

Beryl Blanket Hexes = 48

Books = 40 + 1 = 41

Thanks again for visiting,

cya next Friday.

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

For links to my blogwalk come join me in the blogpond :0)

FO Friday: Boy, have I been busy!

First things first! Here is the Jar for November!

The Jar Nov 1,2012

I started it last March.

Finally finished the Drop Stitch scarf

I seldom knit scarves anymore, but this one was a great take along project, and the yarn was awesome.

I am finally blocking the Oaklet Shawl 

I made a few alterations to this pattern.

I like a more pointed centre line, so I continued the pattern to the centre and reversed it on the other side. If you are going to do this, watch that inc, and dec balance out, or it will not work.

I also purchased an interesting pattern from the LYS, “Turkish Bed socks” it can also be purchased from Ravelry.com

Today’s Music: “Somebody That I Used to Know” – Walk off the Earth this is a Canadian group that is doing rather interesting things!

Musical favourites to date

FO’s 2012 = 59 + 2 = 61

Patterns from my own Library = 6

WIP’s 2012 = 4 – 2 = 2

Stash used 2012 =  67  + 2 = 69

Beryl Blanket Hexes =  48

Books =  34

Thanks again for visiting,

cya on Weds.

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

For links to my blogwalk come join me in the blogpond :0)

Wip Weds: Just about ready to hand in Fair entries!

Life is getting a little busy this week!

Looking for prayers today, my nephew in Wisconsin is going in for surgery. His knee was badly damaged in a football game this week. Doctor is going place screws through the right side of his knee, across the two broken pieces and up from the right side into the top of the bone.  In six weeks or so these screws will be removed and the ACL  will be sown back together.  After that it’s physiotherapy for four or five months to get everything working again.  Surgery is at 2:30pm.  When offered Wed or Thur for the surgery my nephew chose Wed so he could go to the game on Friday against Osseo.

 Tonight is the first “Knittin nite” at my favourite LYS, yay. I have missed this group over the summer. On Thursday get my entries ready and handed in at the fair grounds between 8-10am. DS goes back to start his 4th year of University. On Friday I have physiotherapy in the morning, lunch with my MiL and giving a knitting lesson at 2:30pm, then to Fair to see the entry results. Saturday off to the Kitchener / Waterloo Knitters fair. This is the only knitting event that my guys take me to. My DH, and DS take turns driving me around the enormous halls full of fibre! Then we go to lunch on the way home. Sunday I will be spinning all day in the Bunny Barn at the Fair with the “Durham Handspinning Guild”. Hope to see ya there :0)

The Jar - I haven’t decided if spinning fibre scraps are Jar worthy.

The Jar Sept 2012

Handspun Artical is complete

and Tea Cosy is well on the way.

My unfortunately named Tea Cosy

This year I have a long list of entries. (items with an * are in production)

1. Tea Cosy *
2. Shawl – Afternoon Tea shawl
3. scarf – wingspan with beads
4. Cowl – horseshoe cowl
5. Cardigan Childs – Autumn cardigan
6. Headgear – Because of love beret
7. mitts – Arc mitts
8. Any other knit garment not listed – Barley Corn Newborn Cuddle Cocoon
9. Socks – Sue’s Boxes with a twist socks
10. Christmas stocking – Christmas Sock
11. decorated hat – Easter hat
12. child’s stuffed toy –  Pookies
13. small novelty item for Bazaar – Untangled #5
14. handspun skein - 2ply seawool
15. handcrafted jewellery – Rosary
16. small christmas tree decoration – Christmas Balls
17. handspun article - 100% Superwash Merino Claret Cowl

Current WIPS

• Cozy Winter Shawl/scarf – my design   (90% finished)
• Knitting In Nature Beaded Moebius Kal forum July (75% finished)
• Easy Peazy Shawl  – (80% finished)
• Kelp Forest Shawl (75% finished)
• handspun article – Claret Cowl – Orono Fair (Sept)
• Tea Cosy  – (80% done)

FO’s 2012 =  52 + 1 = 53

Patterns from my own Library = 5

WIP’s 2012 = 6 – 1 = 5

Stash used 2012 = 64 + 1 = 65

Stash Purchased 2012 = 79

Beryl Blanket Hexes =  48

Books =  25

Take Care and cya next week

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

For links to my blogwalk come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Squee! Look what came in the mail!

We had a great long weekend! Lots of food, friends and fireworks.  The weather has been glorious, between 28 and 34c, just a little cloudiness.

The real news! DH went to the  mailbox and happy dance, there was a parcel from Tami <wiggle with delight> I just love it! 

I was the one of the lucky ducks that won the Candy Skein Birthday draw!

Think, think, think, what shall I make?

The Parcel!

My picture just doesn’t do it justice, shades of Lucerne green to something close to Sea-foam green.

Looking for vote here, 465yds of delicious fingering, ideas welcome

• Holden shawl
• Rousette shawl
• Damask
• Ashton shawl
• In the land of oz
• Afternoon Tea shawl - I’ve done this one before

2 more Untangleds to do, and someone bought 2 of my coffee cup sweaters, so two more to do of them too. Only 17 days to the fundraiser!

That’s another story, down to 2 organizers, myself and a friend Ratz! My darling guys have stept into the breach to give a hand setting up tables etc.

This event is for a much-needed ramp for wheelchair access to our Church hall. We forge on!

Kelp Forest Shawlette continues

Kelp Forest shawl

The monthly Jar report: started in March, so this is only the 4th month of scraps.

The Jar July 2012

Update Current WIP List

• Untangled (8 of 10 done – 2 to go)
• XL Coffee Cup Sweaters (6 of 12 done – 6 to go)
• Kelp Forest Shawl (3/4′s done)

FO’s 2012 = 39

Patterns from my own Library = 5

WIP’s 2012 = 11 – 3 = 9

Stash used 2012 = 54 + 1 = 55

Stash Purchased 2012 = 68 + 3 = 71

Beryl Blanket Hexes =  48

Books = 19

And todays smile, willow trapped jack under the laundry basket then had a peaceful sleep, lol.

Jack in the basket

and Kitten vs floor mop, it was a titanic struggle. Not sure who won!

Take Care and cya Friday

for links to my blogwalk  come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

FO Friday: An Ankle sock is born and The Jar for June.

Hello all, I hope you are well and happy! The weather here in Canada has been lovely. Loads of sunshine and just enough rain. As some of you know it has been a bumpy road in Willow’s household. MiL is home from the Hospital and not thriving, she is feeling every year of 86 and is adjusting to her hospital experience.

My father, who has received definite instructions from the Doctor NOT TO MOW THE LAWN AGAIN, as he managed to break his ankle last time. Brilliant news, what we thought was a multiple break has become a single one and we are looking at 5 wks in a cast and he can go back to his old busy self.

Bonus! My Brother has arrived with my Niece, from Wisconsin (a 16 hr drive) She wanted to come up, to help Gramma to take care of Grampa, till the middle of July. This is my Brothers 1st visit since he moved to the states, 15 yrs ago, that has landed so close to my Birthday (21st). He has to leave tomorrow to return to work, but is leaving my niece as a gift :0)

Update on The Jar!

And an Ankle Sock is born!

Sock #1 finished!

Well thanks for visiting, cya next wednesday (wave)

FO’s 2012 = 26

Patterns from my own Library = 5

WIP’s 2012 =  9

Stash used 2012 = 41

Stash Purchased 2012 = 61

Beryl Blanket Hexes = 46

Books = 17

links for my blogwalk join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

FO Friday: Gift pattern for Newborn, A Cocoon Enjoy!

Well it has been a busy week, The knitfrolic, a new babies, Craft group, Knitting Club, Organizing a Craft sale at church in July, (more on this later)DH’s birthday, and New pattern released. Rather tired but a feeling of accomplishment this week :0)

First Cocoon this week Owlie Sleep Sack

Second one: Barley Corn Cuddle Cocoon & Hat

Quick and easy, for those last-minute Baby gifts that are sometimes necessary. This it a bottom up pattern, it takes 100gms of worsted yarn, and knit on 4.5mm / 7US needles. Patterns for both the Cocoon and the Hat, sized for a Newborn baby. (NOT meant for babies to sleep in unattended.)

Barley Corn Cocoon w/ Hat

Here is the PDF, I hope you enjoy it!

Pattern Barley Corn Cuddle Cocoon

And the Jar May 2012

The Jar: March to May 2012

Update Current WIP List

• Barley Corn Cuddle Cocoon (My design)
•  Abigail Vest  (frogged)
• Wingspan (May Carry along forum)
• Chinook Scarf (May Carry along forum)
• Hill Walking Socks (design in test knit stage)
• Pine Forest blanket
• Immie Blanket
• Cosy Winter Shawl (design in test knit stage)
• Roarin Cloche (resisting this felted project)
• Beryl Blanket (Long term scrap project)

FO’s 2012 = 21 + 3 = 24

Patterns from my own Library = 5

WIP’s 2012 =  7 + 1 = 8

Stash used = 30 + 3 = 33

Stash Purchased 2012 = 44  + 1 = 45

Beryl Blanket Hexes = 46

Books = 14 + 1 = 15

links for my blogwalk join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

WIP Weds: WIP Round Up and the Jar!

Public Service Annnouncement: Gentle reminder this Sunday is Spring Forward, add an hour to your clock!

Good Morning all! (Imagine sunny smile + Wave ) It’s wednesday, the weather is more spring like and the sun is trying to make an appearance. 

This week began eventfully, and as my facebook followers will tell you, my DH and DS where delighted with our new arrival. They went to the electronics adoption centre and brought home a gynormous big screen Television, and like any proud parents, have been watching it constantly!  Willow really enjoyed the box. Sad to say technology does nothing for me…

I have been considering (this always makes my guys nervous), looking at my numerous WIP’s I decided to collect them into one clear bag so they could stare at me and shame me into action… well that’s the plan! 

Round Up

The Round up list:

1. Walk for Shetland by Anna Szymanowska  test knitting the english Ver.
2. Because of Love Beret (March carry along forum project)
3. Small Lace Bag (March carry along forum project)
4. Soper Creek Yarn Challenge – Top secret project!
5. Abigail Vest
6. Hill Walking Socks (design in test knit stage)
7. Pine Forest blanket
8. Immie Blanket
9. Cosy Winter Shawl (design in test knit stage)
10. Roarin Cloche (resisting this felted project)
11. Beryl Blanket (Long term scrap project)

 The jar you may ask, well at “Knittin Club” last Weds night, TB (a friend and yarnie) had a big jar and was starting a scrap fibre collection. This idea purcolated in my mind and I wondered what a year of my scraps would look like, and how much it would weigh…The Jar – A year of scraps! March 2012

The Jar

Challenge: show your Jar, how full will it be a year from now?

Books: This weeks review is a knitting book! I have had this one for some time (1986). I pulled it out for a knitting lesson last week, and thought you might like it.  “Knitting in Plain English” by Maggie Righetti, this is a great primer on knitting. Imagine your best knitting teacher ever, and a loving grandma helping with your knitting! I have been knitting forever, but I sometimes catch myself quoting a Righetti to my classes… Thanks Maggie for writing this book!        Yup that good and amusing too :0)

FO’s 2012 = 12

Patterns from my own Library = 3

WIP’s 2012 = 8 + 3 = 11

Stash used =  15 + 2 = 17

Stash Purchased 2012 = 15 + 1 = 16

Books = 12 + 1 = 13

Visit Tami’s blog, Keep Calm and craft on, Knit happy and Yarn along for more really neat stuff!

Well TTFN, see ya Friday all being well.