Frustration knitting and Prize winner!

What do you do when you are almost finished a Kal and the yarn comes to the end in your hand?

 EZ Baby Surprise Jacket for my facebook group Kal. Ratz!

You knit one or two of these 

(2) XL coffee cup sweater, I’m doing about 1/2 dozen of these for our church craft sale.

and more of this. 

Be Simple Scarf almost done!?!

and read some of this 

Totally awesome sequels to Pride and Prejudice. Just love the relationship that Linda Berdoll has envisioned.

and wait for the LYS to open. 

Picked up the needed yarn for my Kal 

Oh, and I won 3rd place in the Soper Creek Yarns Challenge!

Bunch of great work! Congratulations everyone!

My effort!

My own design; Sanquhar cowl

WIP List = 9

1. EZ’s Baby Surprise Jacket – Fb/Kal
2. Zuzu’s Petals
3. His/Hers Socks
4. Cabled Hood with Pockets 
5. Sea of Dreams Blanket
6. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  
7. Rose Harbour Shawl 
8. My Fair Cardi 
9. Simplicity Lace Scarf   Kal/feb2015 

FO’s 2015 = 6 + 2 = 8

WIPS 2015 = 9

Long-term Projects = 4

 Stash Used 2015 = 10 + 3 = 13

Yds of Handspun 2015 = 0

Sewing FO’s 2015 = O

Books 2015 = 4 + 1 = 5

cya next week :0)

I’m off on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0 

I also have a Ravelry shop and an Etsy shop!

for my Literary blog, see Totally Austentatious.

Handspinning: Fleece washing day

Monday was part 1 of fleece washing day!

That  Swaledale fleece that my Mum and Dad got on their recent trip to North Yorkshire England turned out to be quite good. For two people that have little knowledge of fleece purchasing, they did really well. Little dirtier than would have gone for, but no chafe. 

I suspect this sheep was raised outdoors as there is almost no matting over the hind quarters, and has some  weathered tips along the mid-line.

Whoever skirted it did a great job. There are some second cuts down the sides, but not unreasonable amount.

Swaledale fleece hand delivered from North Yorkshire. Now for washing and Spinning!

I estimate that my fleece is 10 to 15 Ibs unwashed. Think I may loose 10%, still lots left. Opening windows, basement smells petite barnyard. 

How I wash fleece, I have done this for years. 

Top loading Washing Machine

Why?

The spin cycle quite literally sucks out most of the dirt and water out of the fleece leaving it only damp. Did you know that the spin cycle on a washing machine is about 200 G’s, that’s more than shooting a rocket into space!  I used to hand wash in a trug, wet fleece + water weighs a ton, and drip drying takes forever. Someone suggested this method and I have never looked back. And the largest water containing tub in your house? No brainer. I do wipe out and rinse my machine with Javex afterward however. My repair guy, (which I have only seen once with an old machine) told me that the lanolin is good for the pump.

 

1st Quarter fleece: Started with the Hind quarters, This section over the haunches is yielding staple lenghts 8 to 10″ great for woolcoming. and worsted spinning. 

I use Ivory Dawn Dish soap, (the blue one). Use a non hand softener dish soap to clean and scour. The Ph can be corrected with 1/4 cup of vinegar in the rinse water. 

Important: Fleece needs to swim in the water, so do only 2 or 3 Ibs at a time or it will not be able to let go of the dirt.

How?

*Soaking in the hottest water that your top loading washing machine will produce. Fill tank, turn off machine, squirt some Blue Ivory dawn (difficult to find these days) add fleece and soak for 20 to 30 mins. Spin out dirty water (make sure that the machine doesn’t add any water into the tub at this point), once spun out gently lift fleece out of tank,* repeat then rinse fleece without soap. 

I use an old screen door.

Lay out in thin layer to dry on a screen. Will feel dry long before it is dry. Leave for at least 24hrs flipping once.

Important note! 

Hot to hotter water only, and do not agitate!

Hot to cold = felt,

Soap+hot water+agitation= felt

Put it into soak, put your hands in your pockets, DO NOT POKE!

My fleece took 2 soaks one rinse. 

I figure I have 4 more loads to do. 

As far as knitting this week, I finished 3 Piles of Smiles Cowls

Will be available in Willows Pocket my etsy shop in November.

4 great colours!

3 colours, I am knitting a Hot pink one too.

And an Infinity of stash Cowl for the Church Bazaar next Saturday

Totally Austentatious my new literary blog is now open too!

All in all a very busy week :0)

WIP List = 9

1. Quicksilver Lace Shrug started Sept 5/14
2. My Favourite Top-Down Clog Socks 
3. Left over Cowl started feb 23/14
4. Cabled Hood with Pockets Started Sept 27/13
5. Sea of Dreams Blanket 85% done started Mar 9/13
6. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  60% done started June 18/13
7. Rose Harbour Shawl 85% done started Jun 28/13
8. My Fair Cardi Started Apr 8/14
9. Simplicity Lace Scarf  

FO’s 2014 = 37 + 3 = 40

WIPS 2014 = 9

 Stash Used 2014 = 65 + 3 = 68

Ravellenic 2014 FO’s =  8

Yds of Handspun 2014 = 313 yds

Sewing FO’s 2014 = 

Books 2014 = 27 + 2 = 29

Thanks again, cya next week :0)

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

come join me in the blogpond :0

Pink!

Looking over my WIP’s I noticed a few pink things, funny when so many Boys are expected in the next month!

Sea of Dreams Blanket 

A Sun Hat #3 

The most frogged project I have ever made! New row marker, says “Knitter” :0)

Simplicity Lace Scarf 

Pattern: Simplicity Lace Scarf in luscious Bamboo fingering from Dye-Version

Toddler Tootsies 

For a Fibre Friends baby that should arrive any time now :0) Note the other new stitch marker.

Austentatious: Jane Austen by Carol Shields

A very insightful biography by one author about another. Beautifully written! Highly recommend! And Pink!

WIP List = 12

1. Tweed Baby Blanket  Started Mar 7/14
2. Left over Cowl started feb 23/14
3. Cabled Hood with Pockets Started Sept 27/13
4. Foots First Sox My design Started Jul/11
5. Sea of Dreams Blanket 85% done started Mar 9/13
6. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  60% done started June 18/13
7. Rose Harbour Shawl 85% done started Jun 28/13
8. Butterfly’s shawl in blue – started Jan 30/14 Test knit
9. My Fair Cardi Started Apr 8/14
10. A Sun Hat #3  started Apr 11/14
11. Toddler Tootsies! 
12. Simplicity Lace Scarf 

FO’s 2014 = 21

WIPS 2014 = 10 + 2 = 12

 Stash Used 2014 = 40

Ravellenic 2014 FO’s =  8

Yds of Handspun 2014 =

Sewing FO’s 2014 = 

Books 2014 = 12

Thanks again cya next week :0)

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

come join me in the blogpond :0

Review: Darcy’s Voyage by Kara Louise

I enjoyed it for the same reasons and with the same reservations. I think it’s all covered in this review. I don’t think I would reread it but I enjoyed reading it once….

Looking at the list!

“I’ve got a little list, I’ve got a little list. Some of these won’t be missed“

Yes a paraphrase of lines from The Mikado, you see where this is going…

On the Chopping block… Frog!

 SPROUT – Growing Roots sweater 80% done started May 17/12 – Boring! I am going to recycle this yarn into something I am going to love! And I don’t have enough yarn to make it the length I want… This was it’s 2nd incarnation

I am absolutely over doing cardigans that are all stocking stitch, nuff said!

Fanflower Fling  50% done started Jul 12/13 Love this yarn, just not for this project.

Basic Yoke Baby Sweater 2.0 started Jan 29/14  I decided on something else as number of babies expected keeps multiplying.

Actually I am a lot further along on this, but as it’s up for execution…

 I am also adding on A Sun Hat by Kristi Pyatt

Picture courtesy of Ravelry.com

Size small

Almost forgot The Jar for March

My Current non virtual reading list

– note my virtual list is much longer, these are just the ones I don’t drag around with me…

Square Metre Gardening for Canada by A.H.Jackson I have raised beds that the boys built for me. I am hoping to make them more productive this year…and it is SPRING!

Darcy’s Voyage By Kara Louis – Actually rather good. I will be reviewing this for Austenatious soon :0)

The Amazing thing about the way it goes by Stephanie Pearl-Mcphee Just purchased. I was following the Yarn harlot on her book tour. Was delightful!

Bridge of Birds By Barry Hughart – You really need to read this, it is so funny. I love the person to person, tongue in cheek, fairytale style of this book. It can be downloaded. There are 3 books in this series and they are al marvelous.

WIP List = 9

1. Tweed Baby Blanket  Started Mar 7/14
2. Left over Cowl started feb 23/14
3. Cabled Hood with Pockets Started Sept 27/13
4. Foots First Sox My design Started Jul/11
5. Sea of Dreams Blanket 85% done started Mar 9/13
6. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  60% done started June 18/13
7. Rose Harbour Shawl 85% done started Jun 28/13
8. Butterfly’s shawl in blue – started Jan 30/14 Test knit
9. A Sun Hat #1  started Mar 28/14
10. SPROUT – Growing Roots sweater 80% done started May 17/12
11. Fanflower Fling  50% done started Jul 12/13
12. Basic Yoke Baby Sweater 2.0 started Jan 29/14  

FO’s 2014 = 17

WIPS 2014 =  11 – 3 = 8

 Stash Used 2014 = 37

Ravellenic 2014 FO’s =  8

Yds of Handspun 2014 =

Sewing FO’s 2014 = 

Books 2014 = 5

Thanks again cya next Friday :0)

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

come join me in the blogpond :0

Friday: New Game!

Things are getting a little dull around here.  In an effort to perk things up I am going to start my Friday posts with a teezer, a quote or a picture. The first person to identify where or what it is gets… Drum roll please, a pattern from my Ravelry Shop! Ya, I know cool ah :0)

First lines of which book: “All the children, except one, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up and the way Wendy knew was this.”

Hill Walking Socks My design

I hope to have this pattern available soon :0)

What am I reading? Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart

Totally delightful! A ancient China that never was. Number 10 Ox and Master Li, who has a slight flaw in his character set out to save the children of Ku-fu. I read this many years ago, it’s like visiting an old friend.

WIP List = 13

1. Old Shale Scarf Kal Started Mar 14/14
2. Tweed Baby Blanket  Started Mar 7/14
3. Left over Cowl started feb 23/14
4. Cabled Hood with Pockets Started Sept 27/13
5. Foots First Sox My design Started Jul/11
6.  SPROUT – Growing Roots sweater 80% done started May 17/12
7. Sea of Dreams Blanket 85% done started Mar 9/13
8. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  60% done started June 18/13
9. Rose Harbour Shawl 85% done started Jun 28/13
10. Fanflower Fling  50% done started Jul 12/13
11. Butterfly’s shawl in blue – started Jan 30/14 Test knit
12. Butterfly’s shawl in red – Feb 14/14 Test knit
13. Basic Yoke Baby Sweater 2.0 started Jan 29/14
14. Hill Walking Socks My design Started Jan 20/14 Finished Mar 20/14

FO’s 2014 = 14 + 1 = 15

WIPS 2014 = 14 – 1 = 13

 Stash Used 2014 = 34 + 1 = 35

Ravellenic 2014 FO’s =  8

Yds of Handspun 2014 =

Sewing FO’s 2014 = 

Books 2014 = 5

Thanks again cya next week :0)

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

come join me in the blogpond :0

FO Friday: A Busy Week

It has been a rather nice week. “The Plan” is chugging along, things are dropping off the WIP list. The weather has been getting fractionally warmer. Still wearing the wooliez, but the sun is out. Been out twice for supper with friends.

Went to the Theatre to see “An Affair to Remember” (starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr) on the big screen. I love old movies, what a treat!

The Plan Progress

Wednesday: Mile a minute afghan – Done!

Having finished this I completed the first

Lovely & Thick Roses Socks (Jan/Kal)

Having decided that these heavy socks would not fit in my ankle boots, I am making boot cuffs instead.

Thursday:

Book: Darcy and Fitzwilliam by Karen V. Wasylowski

(A continuation of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)

Finished reading this delightful and unusual take on Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam’s relationship. Totally recommend this slightly off beat book. You may have to acquire it in eformat, as this book was purchased from the last copy shelf. Unfortunately I was so absorbed that my knitting ended up getting ignored.

WIP List = 12

1. Buttermere  my Kal for Dec/13
2. Shoulder Shawl  v2 started Nov 14/13
3. My Favourite Scarf Ever  Started Nov 2/13
4. Cabled Hood with Pockets Started Sept 27/13
5. Lovely & Thick Rose Socks Started Jan 9/14
6. Foots First Sox My design Started Jul/11
7.  SPROUT – Growing Roots sweater 60% done started May 17/12
8. Sea of Dreams Blanket 75% done started Mar 9/13
9. Mile a minute afghan – crochet  started Apr 24/13 finished Jan 14/14 
10. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  52% done started June 18/13
11. Rose Harbour Shawl 75% done started Jun 28/13
12. Fanflower Fling  50% done started Jul 12/13

 FO’s 2014 = 3 + 1 = 4

WIPS 2014 = 12 – 1 = 11

 Stash Used 2014 =  16 + 3 = 19

Sewing FO’s 2014 = 

Books 2014 =  1 + 1 = 2

Thanks again cya next week :0)

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

come join me in the blogpond :0)

Find me at my Etsy shop: Willows Pocket and on Ravelry.com 

Austentatious!

Yes, I have a thing for Austen. I didn’t realize how extensive it was till I started digging through my collection.

It has even snuck into my knitting. On my to due list Darcy Shawlette,

The Dashwood Sisters Shawl and the Miss Woodhouse Shawlette

I have the famous novels… a few copies of each

The Complete Novels of Jane Austen: Seven Great English Classics (sc)

The Complete Works of Jane Austen (2 ebooks)

• Sense and Sensibility (1811) (1 hc, 1 sc, 3 ebooks)
• Pride and Prejudice (1813) (1 collector ed, 1 hc, 1sc, 3 ebooks)
• Mansfield Park (1814) (2hc, 1sc, 3 ebooks)
• Emma (1815) (2hc, 1 sc, 3 ebooks)
• Northanger Abbey (1818, posthumous) (1sc, 3 ebooks)
• Persuasion (1818, posthumous) (1hc, 1sc, 3 ebooks)

Short fiction

• Lady Susan (1794, 1805) (ebook)

Unfinished fiction

• The Watsons (1804) (ebook)
• Sanditon (1817) (1hc)

and ebook copies too, because you can’t go anywhere without Jane!

All of the above on Kobo Glow, Kobo Arc and Sony ereader.

 

Films, Audio tapes, and Ebooks 

Death at Pemberley by PD. James (audio)

Pride and Prejudice (DVD 1995) A&E starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle (the best!)

And the more recent Pride and Prejudice (2005)

and an older BBC version.

Bride and Prejudice (2004) Bollywood musical (enjoyed it)

Persuasion (1995) – my fav

Sense and Sensibility (2008 – VHS) Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant (the best)

Emma (1996) Kate Beckinsale (best of the two)

Emma (1996) Gwynth Paltrow (not as good)

I also indulge in continuations of her novels and there are a lot out there.

My favourites are by Linda Berdoll,

*Mr Darcy takes a Wife and *Darcy and Elizabeth

My comment: Miss Austen, being as single lady of her age and time, probably would have been shocked by this more realistic view of married life. This is the Darcy and Lizzie you imagine as a married couple! I am so fond of these books, originally owned them in trade paperback, I also purchased them in ebook!

Some other  delightful series

 Sharon Lathan has also written a rather good series related to Pride and Prejudice. This series sounds more Austen.

1. *Mr & Mrs Fitzwiliam Darcy: Two shall become one
2. *Loving Mr. Darcy
3. My Dearest Mr. Darcy
4. In the Arms of Mr. Darcy (Don’t have)
5. Miss Darcy falls in Love
6. The Trouble with Mr. Darcy
7. The Passions of Mr. Darcy (the story of Darcy’s Uncle George)
8. A Darcy Christmas (Don’t have)

I have also been collecting the Pemberley Chronicals by Rebecca Ann Collins

1. *The Pemberley Chronicles
2. *The Women of Pemberley
3. Netherfield Park Revisited
4. The Ladies of Longbourn
5. Mr Darcy’s Daughter (don’t have)
6. My Cousin Caroline
7. Postscript from Pemberley (don’t have)
8. Recollections of Rosings (don’t have)
9. A Woman of Influence
10. The Legacy of Pemberley (don’t have)

  I like this series but Austen’s voice is missing.

Rebecca Ann Collins has also written Expectations of Happiness a follow-up to Sense and Sensibility

Found these in ebook format

Georgiana’s Diary by Anna Elliott eb. a free ebook

and Colonel Brandon’s Diary by Amanda Grange eb. preview I am seriously thinking about purchasing this one. Has anyone read it?

Some other recent finds:

I also have a collection of short stories *Dancing with Mr. Darcy

How about from Darcy’s point of view

*Darcy’s Passion by Regina Jeffers – Don’t let the title through you it isn’t bad

*Captain Wentworth’s Persuasion by Regina Jeffers  sc.- Rather good till just before the end. Spys and nonsence creeps in. 4/5th of the book is worth reading.

How about letters, and Diaries?

Austen began writing in this form then moved to the more conventional novel format. I enjoy epistolary books (letters) and Diaries.

*Mr. Darcy’s Diary by Maya Slater sc. (rather good)

*Dear Mr Darcy by Amanda Grange tpb (very good)

*Letters from Pemberley by Jane Dawkins tpb (very good)

Looking forward to reading these recent finds :0)

 

Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister by C. Allyn Pierson tpb.

Only Mr. Darcy will do by Kara Louise tpb.

The Truth About Mr. Darcy by Susan Adriani tpb.

and my DH found this in the last copy section of Chapters :0)

*Darcy and Fitzwilliam by Karen V. Wasylowski – delightful and unusual take on Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam’s relationship. Totally recommend this slightly off beat book. :0) sc.

Other recent purchases, as yet unread

The Darcy Cousins by Monica Fairview

The Pursuit of Mary Bennet by Pamela Mingle

The Bad Miss Bennet by Jean Burnett (Lydia)

 There are reference books and biographies as well.

Jane Austen: A life by Claire Tomlin tbp

A Brief Guide to Jane Austen: The Life and Times of the World’s Favourite Author by Charles Jennings sc.

*The Complete World of Jane Austen by Lauren Nixon hc. (total disappointment, wouldn’t bother with this one)

My family and friends keep me well supplied, and DH & DS but up with my Austen observations.

Just for fun go check out The Republic of Pemberley website for everything Austen. DH found it while surfing the net…awesome!

Note: * = have read, sc.= softcover, tpb. = trade paperback, hc. = hardcover, eb. = ebook

WIP Weds: January Knitting pic month!

Good Morning all.

January is Knitting picture month. I am collecting my favourites to share with you.

The first FO for 2014!

Northman Mittens 

Front and back

and here is the soft lining :0)

The Plan begins, a WIP a day!

 Sunday: Buttermere 

Almost ready for the lace edge, woohoo!

of 207 of 247 to reach beginning of lace pattern (20 more rows)

Monday: Shoulder Shawl – Hoping to finish this the next time round

Tuesday: My Favourite Scarf Ever 

First book of the year!

Letters from Pemberley by Jane Dawkins, gift from DH for Christmas. I am really enjoying it.

I have posted all FO’s for 2013 here

WIP List = 14 – 1 = 13

1. Buttermere  my Kal for Dec/13
2. Shoulder Shawl  v2 started Nov 14/13
3. Northman Mittens  Started  Dec 2/13 – finished Jan 4/14
4. My Favourite Scarf Ever  Started Nov 2/13
5. Cabled Hood with Pockets Started Sept 27/13
6. Iced Cardigan  Started Oct 1/13
7. Foots First Sox My design Started Jul/11
8.  SPROUT – Growing Roots sweater 60% done started May 17/12
9. Top Down Swing Pullover – 98% done started Jan 1/13
10. Sea of Dreams Blanket 75% done started Mar 9/13
11. Mile a minute afghan – crochet 50% done started Apr 24/13
12. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  52% done started June 18/13
13. Rose Harbour Shawl 75% done started Jun 28/13
14. Fanflower Fling  50% done started Jul 12/13

 FO’s 2014 =  1

WIPS 2014 =  14 – 1 = 13

 Stash Used 2014 = 3

Sewing FO’s 2014 = 

Books 2014 =  1

Thanks again 

cya next week :0)

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

come join me in the blogpond :0)

Find me at my Etsy shop: Willows Pocket and on Ravelry.com  

WIP Weds: Andy’s Cap and Willowspocket

Not much to say this week, waiting for a date for some medical tests. Doing a lot of knitting, and reading.

Andy’s Cap my design

I tried another pattern and didn’t like the Tam part of the cap, So invented my own.

Busy getting ready for Christmas in WillowsPocket on Etsy

Made a bunch of Knitters Chatelaines

I made one for myself and decided to make a few more for the shop. I ended up making 5 different types.

I’m reading through the Argeneau Family series by Linsay Sands again.

Makes me laugh everytime. Currently on “Tall Dark and Hungry” Book 4.

I posed a question to my readers:

 Is anyone interested in a Sports Bra, Ladies Underwear, or Unisex Boxer Shorts Tutorial? I am thinking of making some and will record the process. Please list which you are interested in. So far there has been one vote for a Sports Bra. Anyone else want to weigh in? I will probably be doing an example of each. So I am going to try a poll to determine which to plan first.

The polls are still open till the end of the month, vote here!

Current WIP List (7 + 2)

• SPROUT – Growing Roots sweater 60% done started May 17/12
• Top Down Swing Pullover – 98% done started Jan 1/13
• Sea of Dreams Blanket 75% done started Mar 9/13
• Mile a minute afghan – crochet 50% done started Apr 24/13
• Isla lace Pillowcase edge  52% done started June 18/13
• Rose Harbour Shawl 75% done started Jun 28/13
• Fanflower Fling  50% done started Jul 12/13
• Pine Forest Baby Blanket   Done started Jan 11/12 – Oct 6/13 
• Mr Bunnstible  Done started Sept 17/13 – finished Sept 26/13
• Ruffle Scarf   Done started Dec 3/12 finished Jul 7/13
• Cozy Winter Shawl   Done started Dec 1/12 – finished Jul 11/13
• Eileen Dress  Done started Jun 21/13 – finished Jul 11/13 
• Easy Peasy Shawl – Done started Jul 14/12 – finished Jul 17/13
• All about love shawlette   Done Started Aug 3/13 – finished August 17/13
• Calimetry Started Sept 6/13 finished Sept 6/13

 FO’s 2013 = 95

WIPS 2013 = 7 (+ 2)

 Stash Used 2013 = 82

Sewing FO’s = 4 

Books 2013 = 34

Thanks again for visiting,

cya next Friday :0)

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

come join me in the blogpond :0)

Find me at my Etsy shop: Willows Pocket 

Psst! Only 10 more Saturdays till Christmas!

and on Ravelry.com