The Fix is in!

There are times when you agree to stuff and you end up thinking you should have your head examined!

A good friend at church had a little problem, that wasn’t so little. She was knitting this lovely little cardigan for her great grandchild and something went wrong.

Having sewn in one sleeve and the right side up. The other however was sewed up without the sleeve. This is were the trouble began.

I must say that this very experienced knitter is a very exceptional seam sewer! While trying to open the seam at the shoulder to insert the sleeve, things went pear shaped.

I have to admit I would most likely have thrown in the towel. While trying to remove these very well concealed stitches 3 or 4 edge stitches in the front panel got snipped. Luckily the back was fine, however a hole 9 stitches deep and 5 rows long developed… Yup! 

The final row wouldn’t come out smoothly when grafted. The stitches were too mangled. I figure a blind man would be happy to see it.Starting from the most secure stitches at the bottom of the hole, I matched the colour and patched the 10 st across, knitting the side stitches seamlessly on the right side. The 7 rows join up and lay smoothly below.
Fixing a patch against an open edge was a first for me and a little nerve racking.
Very pleased with the overall result :0)

Remember my post on mending? Well I went back and forth three sides of the hole, using the most stable stitches. The tricky part is working a patch against an open edge. Wasn’t holding a lot of hope that this would work out. 

Finished it up by fixing the shoulder seam and inserting the sleeve. Then with a long thread secured the underarm leaving 1/2 the yarn to sew the sleeve, and the other half to mattress stitch the side seam. Then returned to the under arm to continue to sew the sleeve together.

Visualize, visualize, visualize, work at it till it looks as you see it in your mind. Be optimistic and plaster a smile on your puss!

Finishing advice:

I am a great advocate of sewing knitted garments together with the outside facing you. Follow the rows on either side to make a straight and seamless line. When working a shaped edge, I lightly pin (Coiless pins preferably plastic) the front and back, then working as smoothly as possible, easy the pieces together using the closest stable stitch to fit them together. Really important to match increases or decrease where possible. This is so much easier on the front side of the work. A knitting teacher once told me “That sewing it together right side out and seam to seam, made for a better finish as you can see what is actually happening. You don’t wear sweaters inside out. If you sew it together inside out, the inside will look lovely, but the outside will look like you sewed it together inside out!”

Part of my family is Catholic, so for the each of the children’s first communions I have made them a Rosary. Only one more to go after this. Finally finished this one. Thank goodness the other side isn’t, I would have 18 more to do! The Protestant side is very prolific!

This is a Catholic Rosary for my cousins daughter. Catholic uses 5 decades of 10 beads.

I also do Protestant Rosaries. For those that are interested in this meditative prayer practice. I am considering making some for my Etsy shop.

This one is mine. Note that the Protestant version of the Rosary has fewer beads. 4 wks of 7 beads.

If anyone is interested in Rosaries, let me know in the comments and I will provide links for making and use of both kinds.

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 = 8 + 1 = 9

WIPS 2015 = 9

Long-term Projects = 4

 Stash Used 2015 = 13

Yds of Handspun 2015 = 0

Sewing FO’s 2015 = O

Books 2015 = 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.

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.

WIPs: Carry Along Projects for February

I have been a member of the Ravelry.com Carry Along Forum since 2012. Each month we make a list of projects and vote for the 3 that everyone likes best. You can knit whichever one, two or three you like. The only criteria; must be free on Ravelry, and hopefully small enough to take with you on your travels.

This month I have opted to do 2 of the 3 Kals.

Be Simple Variations Scarf

and

Bandana Cowl

Thinking this might make a nice Christmas present.

Both of these came from stashed yarn!

Since 2012 I have completed 30 KALs with this group of great people!

The scrap Jar for 2014 ended up being 58gms!

The Jar 2014 dec 58gms
2013 – 63gms
2012 – from Mar to Dec 40gms

January begins the new Scrap Jar for 2015

Slow start for January!

WIP List = 8

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

FO’s 2015 = 3

WIPS 2015 = 8

Long-term Projects = 4

 Stash Used 2015 = 5

Yds of Handspun 2015 = 0

Sewing FO’s 2015 = O

Books 2015 = 3

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.

First past the finish line of 2015!

Well it’s a brand new year and we all survived Christmas!

Hue and Value Shawl 

Hue and Value Shawl

Finished in the wee hours of January 1/15. It was a challenge in my flu and drugged state, but we both survived! I think I would do this one again :0)

First new project of 2015!

It’s -30 with the wind chill here in Canada tonight, so the mind turns to hot chocolate and warm clothes!

Sanquhar Cowl by Wendy D. Johnson

Fell in love with this as soon as I spotted it!

Wendy’s version

My version, I have my eye on a new blue winter coat.

Chart A&B another longterm project.

I begin 2015 with WIP List = 8

1. Sanquhar Cowl – Long term project
2. Left over Cowl – Long term project
3. Cabled Hood with Pockets 
4. Sea of Dreams Blanket
5. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  
6. Rose Harbour Shawl 
7. My Fair Cardi 
8. Simplicity Lace Scarf   
9. Hue and value shawl 

Thanks again for an interesting and eventful year.

It wouldn’t have been the same without you. 

FO’s 2015 = 1

WIPS 2015 = 7 + 1 = 8

 Stash Used 2015 = 3 

Yds of Handspun 2015 = 0

Sewing FO’s 2015 = O

Books 2015 = 1

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!

Happy New Year 2015!

Well it has been an active year. 

Fibre related Christmas gifts from my family this year!

Book: Knit Nordic by Eline Oftedal and a skein of Madeline Tosh Sock (spectrum)

The last few projects of the year 

Knit by the dozen socks my design 

Knit by the Dozen Socks. I started knitting these while I was ill socks.
Modification: Inserted heel rather than Short row in the original pattern.

My Favourite Top-Down Socks 

These worked up just as nice as My Favourite Toe-up socks.

my design – yet to be published 

and I am madly casting off my Hue and Value Shawl 

Hoping there is enough yarn to finish casting this off…

As I look back on my New Years Resolutions for 2014, I am stunned by the number of things I finished this year.

In 2011 – 105,

2012 – 78,

2013 – 112 

2014 – 61

It’s been a good year!

Projects in 2014

Resolutions for 2015!

1. I will Complete 8 WIP’s on my list
2. I will knit the lovely Madeline Tosh Sock yarn (spectrum) my DH gave me for Christmas 2014! 
3. I have given up on organizing my stash, instead I will parcel up 15 projects with pattern,  stash yarn etc that I will make this year! Ok this sounded like a great plan, last year and yes I did parcel up 14 projects ready to go…still there nothing happened. Going to add one more for 2015…
4. I will make ALL items for the Church Bazaar and craft sales from stash!
5. I will not replenish my stash as it deminishes unless DH approves  (update this lasted for 25 days last year) I am going to see how long I will last this year!
6. Goal this year, significant stash reduction! Again!
7. I am counting making my studio usable as a minor success. However the Guyz tidied the house for Christmas and the a lot of stuff has disappeared and 4 laundry baskets are missing, I am guessing where… back on the list since 2013!
8. I will complete one handmade gift for each of the 11 people that will be joining us Christmas 2015 
9. I will make my DH and DS each a Scarf this year
10. I will spin more. I have been spinning a little more, and I need to dig out my sewing machine this year too.
11. I am going to invest in Shelving and containers and organize (sort of ) my stash and studio. 
12. I will join Fibreholics anonymous (Just kidding :0)
13. I am going to use more none virtual patterns, I have loads of knitting books, magazines and patterns I should use them!

Total of 13 Fibre Resolutions for 2015, we will see how this goes :0)

The Jar 2014

I begin 2015 with WIP List = 8

1. Hue and value shawl 
2. Left over Cowl 
3. Cabled Hood with Pockets 
4. Sea of Dreams Blanket
5. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  
6. Rose Harbour Shawl 
7. My Fair Cardi 
8. Simplicity Lace Scarf  

Thanks again for an interesting and eventful year.

It wouldn’t have been the same without you. 

FO’s 2014 = 61

WIPS 2014 = 8

 Stash Used 2014 = 80 + 3 = 83

Ravellenic 2014 FO’s =  8

Yds of Handspun 2014 = 313 yds

Sewing FO’s 2014 = O

Books 2014 = 37

cya next year :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!

Holiday Season Treats!

Botticelli’s: The Mystical Nativity

We are still working on getting ready for Christmas in my household. The tree is up, the gifts are purchased (no handmade this year as I have been under the weather for a few months), baking happening today and maybe a little gift wrapping.

Meanwhile I have been working on my socks. 

Knit by the Dozen Toe-up Socks

At 1 1/2 of a pair of Knit by the Dozen socks with insert heels and toes in kermit the frog green :0)

and waiting till I am a little more organized to finish up my Hue and Value Shawl. 

Almost there, one more section then garter stitch band and done!

Last year I posted a pattern as a gift to my readers. This year I am posting two sweet treats! Enjoy :0) 

Here is a downloadable PDF: Christmas recipes  

DH made the chocolate things so they are a little large, and we didn’t have any candied cherry for the top of the Mincemeat Squares. They are delicious anyway.

Mincemeat Squares  (Moms recipe/ Dads favourite)

2c Graham cracker crumbs

1 ½ c Mincemeat

15 oz Eagle Brand sweetened condensed Milk

Mix ingredients together, pour into well grease 9×12 pan. Bake for 30mins at 350 degrees. Cool then cut and place a bit of marichino cherry on each piece. Cut into pieces about 1½ x 2”

Chocolate Things!

(Grandma used to make these, my favourite)

2c sugar

6 tbsp cocoa

½ c butter or margarine

½ c milk

½ tsp vanilla

3 c instant oats

1 c  grated coconut

Mix sugar and cocoa in sauce pan. Add butter, and milk and bring to a boil. Add vanilla. Remove from heat and blend in oats and coconut. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper and chill till firm.

Makes: 4 ½ dozen – 1” cookies

I also found this recipe that looked rather good for those with sugar challenges (Diabetics).

Chocolate Star 

Made with Pizza Dough and nutella.

Hashbrown Baked Potato Casserole

(I use green onions, and add well done crumbed Bacon)

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

WIP List = 10 

1. Hue and value shawl
2. My Favourite Top-Down Socks 
3. Left over Cowl 
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  
10. Knit by the Dozen Toe-up Socks

FO’s 2014 = 54

WIPS 2014 = 10

 Stash Used 2014 = 80 

Ravellenic 2014 FO’s =  8

Yds of Handspun 2014 = 313 yds

Sewing FO’s 2014 = 

Books 2014 = 33 + 4 = 37

Thanks again, cya soon :0)

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

come join me in the blogpond

I also have a Ravelry shop 

As a Christmas treat all patterns in my Ravelry Shop are on sale for 25% off with the coupon code willow42 till Dec 31st

and an Etsy shop!

Sorry to say, I haven’t been well…

I haven’t been doing much actually. 

Starting in October. Had some issues with my health, followed by CT scan (that they cancelled at last minute after all the prep  due to allergies) and then 2 MRI’s, because one is just not enough! Then 3 weeks in bed with a nasty cold and most recently twisted my back and am unable to straighten up.

Totally unprepared for Christmas. Unlike last year, almost no handmade gifts.  Having to trust my guys to come up with something. Trying to Shepherd them threw Christmas baking, we’ll see how that goes.

However, if someone could add about 3 weeks to December, I would be very grateful!

However the tree is up (missing a bunch of decorations, but it’s up).  Hopefully the New Year will bring about good news and a better news. 

What something new?

I couldn’t help starting this one.

These are the originals that I liked so much.

A friend has knit this one twice. 

We found the pattern at the Kitchener knitters fair in September and I couldn’t resist, neither could she. 

I have been wanting to get started on this one for awhile!

This pattern is awesome, just when you get tired of one thing, it switches to another. This is my version.

It’s actually really simple to knit. All rows are worked with only one colour and the reverse rows are purl. I may do this again I am enjoying it so much.

Oh I finished a couple more

  “Baby it’s cold outside cup cosy”

and

WIP List = 10  

1. Hue and value shawl
2. My Favourite Top-Down 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  
10. Baby it’s cold outside cup cozy

FO’s 2014 = 52 + 2 = 54

WIPS 2014 = 9 + 1 = 10

 Stash Used 2014 = 79 + 1 = 80

Ravellenic 2014 FO’s =  8

Yds of Handspun 2014 = 313 yds

Sewing FO’s 2014 = 

Books 2014 = 32 + 1 = 33

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 

I also have a Ravelry shop and an Etsy shop!

I have a little list!

We have had loads of snow this week.

I have been rooting around through my Wip list and I think it needs a little reorganization and recategorization.  Object to have only one on the go, in each type of project heading.

Shawlette: Rose Harbour Shawl 

Really close to finished!

Shawl: Nothing on the go right now

Charity project:  Baby it’s cold outside cup cozy 

Two so far, for the church Christmas Craft sale.

Child: Sea of Dreams Blanket 

Only 2 more repeats.

Large project: My Fair Cardi 

Back finished, working on the fronts.

Winter Project:  Left over Cowl 

4 of 8 repeats of fairilse design sequence.

Socks: My Favourite Top-Down Socks 

I am doing the inserted heels on these, then I will type up the pattern for sale.

Gift Drawer Project: Isla lace Pillowcase edge 

About 8″ to do.

Scarf:  Cabled Hood with Pockets 

This scarf is for my son.

Simplicity Lace Scarf  

WIP List = 9

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

FO’s 2014 = 50 + 2 = 52

WIPS 2014 = 9

 Stash Used 2014 = 78 + 1 = 79

Ravellenic 2014 FO’s =  8

Yds of Handspun 2014 = 313 yds

Sewing FO’s 2014 = 

Books 2014 = 31 + 1 = 32

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 

I also have a Ravelry shop and an Etsy shop!

Sock Drawer Challenge!

Yes I have accepted the Sock Drawer Challenge, and it was a challenge! 

I took this picture after stuffing all I could into the drawer. Then socks started popping up all over, under beds, on feet, and in laundry baskets, lol

There are 30 pair in this photo, think I need a bigger drawer?

I challenge you to show off your drawer!

It’s been a while since I have posted, unfortunately I have been up to my ankles in alligators.  Lots of medical tests and other nasty stuff. The upside is lots of  knitting and reading going on here.

Available in Willows Pocket my etsy shop

and

Blue, green and purple

and

Red, pink, orange

and

Blue, pink, green

Found at Willows Pocket Etsy shop

I have also been working on items for the St Georges Anglican Church, Newcastle Annual Christmas Craft sale.

A few pairs of Toddler Tootsies (my design)

and

A friend designed this dish cloth for Estelle Yarns, it hangs over your soap bottle to dry. I have knit 2 so far.

and

Some nice person donated a big bag of “Boa” to the Church Craft group, a friend suggested Christmas Tree Garlands, 6 at 8ft each.

I’m also putting together my pattern for “Roses in Winter Boot Cuffs” in preparation for Test knitting. 

Really pleased with these!

So between this and that I have been a very busy bee.

WIP List = 9

1. Quicksilver Lace Shrug started Sept 5/14
2. My Favourite Top-Down Clog Socks (Did a little work on these since last posting)
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 + 13 = 50

WIPS 2014 = 9

 Stash Used 2014 = 65 + 13 = 78

Ravellenic 2014 FO’s =  8

Yds of Handspun 2014 = 313 yds

Sewing FO’s 2014 = 

Books 2014 = 27 + 3 = 30

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 

I also have a Ravelry shop and an Etsy shop!