Snoopy's Crayons Sweater

When my daughter and granddaughter and I went to California in October, I visited a great little knit shop in Rocklin called Filati's. I loved all the knitted samples hanging about the store. Windy and Ember saw this little Snoopy's Crayons sweater and fell in love with it. It is made with Schaefer Yarn (Hand Painted Luxury Fibers) using Schaefer's Elaine Child's Cardigan pattern #111. It is 99% merino wool and 1% nylon. I used size 10 needles for the seed stitch borders and a size 11 circular needle for the body. One skein made this size 1 sweater. At $40/skein I am glad I didn't wait until Ember wore size 2! I had a bit of a challenge with the M1s until a new knitting buddy named Lynn helped me out with the left and right slanting technique. It will be a gift for my granddaughter on her first birthday on December 5th. I finished it this morning...just under the wire.

Photo Missing

Sorry I can't show you the beautiful yarn I purchased at an awesome little knit shop on my trip to California. I went to Filati's that I had read about on knitting blogs. It is in Rocklin not too far from Granite Bay where we were staying. All the raves proved to be true. A great shop with really helpful salespeople and a wonderful knitting vibe.

I made three purchases. A fat skein of hand-dyed yarn in bright Crayola colors to make a sweater for Ember. Also a tiny skein of tiny sock yarn to make her some tiny baby socks. And a hank of soft alpaca for my "California Socks."

On the trip I worked on my State Fair Socks. Still have a half to go on the second sock and those will be finished soon. This is my fifth pair now. I'm getting pretty good at this one basic pattern!

Coming up in the queue is a Feathers and Fan Shawl with the wool I won at the State Fair, a cap for Oliver, and the lace scarf I started for myself long long ago. Plenty to keep me busy on the cold winter nights that are coming soon. I've also laid in some fabric for quilting and some 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles. Bring on the rain!

As you may have read on my other blog, postings are sporadic due to a home computer malfunction. Look for postings on Mondays when I can use my daughter's computer.

Baby Quilt

This morning it dawned on me that I better finish the pastel baby quilt before Ember is no longer a baby. My Kwilt Korner was dusty from lack of use during this strange summer. So I spent the morning cleaning, rearranging, organizing the little corner of my bedroom that is Craft Central. And this afternoon sewing up the little flannel blocks I bought a year ago when I first found out a granddaughter was on the way. I love quilting but it is harder here without the big studio I had in Missouri. Nevertheless...it is one of several activities on my list of things to do through the upcoming winter. The college will be forming a Quilting Group during Winter Term and I plan to participate. It helps to have moral support. Not to mention someone to ask about the challenges.

Another Prize

When I went to pick up my State Fair items I got a big surprise. A basket of Imperial Hand Spun Hand Dyed Wool. This would have been the First Prize if I had won the Crochet Blue Ribbon. The judges apparently had second thoughts and gave it to me as they decided I should have had First Place. A rather unusual procedure and a bit odd, but I’ll take it, thank you very much. I would rather have the yarn than the ribbon! Over $100 value and the promise of projects for the winter knitting season.

So help me out here. What do you think I can make with all this beautiful wool? An afghan comes to mind and that would keep me warm and remind me of my State Fair sucesses. But perhaps something more creative. I've been knitting socks with light weight yarn and #1 needles so it will be a switch back to bigger needles and bulkier wool. I need suggestions!

2 Ply Skeins 4oz 200 yds
Total 4 skeins = 16oz 800 yds
Total 4 skeins @ 15.00 = $60.00

#01 Imperial Natural
#19 Fawn (beige)
#21 Raspberry
#125 Canyon Shadow Blue

Lopi 4oz 150 yds
Total 4 skeins = 16oz 600 yds
Total 4 skeins @ 13.00 = $52.00

#02 Pearl Grey (2 skeins)
#112 Heathered Wheat
#126 Spring Sage

Unlabeled Fat Skeins (weight and measure unknown)
Black 2 skeins
White 1 skein

The descriptions and colors are not on the Imperial Ranch website http://www.imperialstockranch.com/fiber/where.html
but you can check out the colors on the Abundant Yarns website
www.abundantyarn.com

Red, White and Blue Ribbons

My entries at the Oregon State Fair won ribbons that I am very proud of. There were some absolutely beautiful examples of quilting, knitting, crocheting and other home arts and I am honored that my pieces were recognized.

My Legacy Star Quilt won a Blue Ribbon. It was featured in a special display on the floor of the huge Home Arts building and I was very proud to stand beside it for a photo. This is the second blue for this quilt that I made that first year of retirement in Osceola. It won at the Missouri State Fair in 2005.

The little crocheted Lollypop Afghan I made for Ember Louise won a Second Place Red Ribbon. It seemed so simple to make but it has gotten many raves for the basketweave pattern and the bright colors.

The lace Christening Cape and Scarf set won a Third Place White Ribbon as did the little tiny Pink Lace Hat. Both made for little Ember.

It is nice to know that others appreciate the work I put into these items. I love quilting and knitting and crocheting and it brings me a great deal of pleasure to create things for my family.

[Double click on images to enlarge.]

Oh Say Can You Crochet?

You may remember I have mentioned many times that, despite the fact that I make afghans using yarn and a crochet hook, I really don’t know how to crochet. I never knew the names of the stitches and I had no idea how to follow a pattern. I know what knitting is supposed to look like so I can count the stitches and it is easy to spot a mistake. Crochet is a bunch of lumps and bumps and I have not gotten well enough acquainted with the intricacies of stitches to tell one from the other.

So…ta da…I took a class. There were four of us in the group at Yarn Garden and my experience with not knowing what I was doing but doing it anyway did put me a step ahead as the others were learning how to hold the hook. So I learned to make a chain, sc (single crochet) into that chain, and add dc (double crochet) for increased stitch height. I made a little square. A teeny tiny potholder.

Then I bit the bullet and started the project I have been wanting to make. I’ve had the pattern for months. That little bit of knowledge got me going and I got the bag started during the class. And I am clicking along here at home. When I get enough rounds of loops that the bag measures 12¨ I will hit a snag. Linda and Monica are standing by and the class instructor has made herself available by e-mail. So I am soldiering on.

You will agree I need another mesh market bag!

Multi-Color Soxie Sox

My third pair of socks and the easiest yet as I finally know what I am doing. I have modified the pattern so the socks will actually fit my feet. It just seems like a good idea to have a pair of socks going. A small portable project. I will take along with me to Jury Duty tomorrow. Hopefully, the size 1 bamboo needles will not pose a terrorist security threat. I actually started this project months ago and then it migrated to the back of the closet. Now that I have finished Pair #2, I will get going on these again. This is the first sock of the pair.

Kitchner Toes

I started these Tofutsie socks a year ago [see June 7, 2007 posting] and I finally finished them yesterday sitting on my friend Linda's patio. That last little part of weaving the toe together just defeats me. But Linda is a whiz and with her help I have now completed another pair of socks. Believe it or not, I am on pair three. And I have yarn put aside for two more. My feet will be cozy next winter.

State Fair Entries

A friend at Yarn Yoga reminded me that I had noticed an absence of lace knitting being displayed at the State Fair when I went two years ago. So this year I plan to enter some lace. Of course, things may have changed since then. However, I plan to send the beautiful Edwardian Carrying Cape I made as a Christening Cape for my granddaughter. [See posting for 10/17/07.]

I am also making a lace scarf. Soft and warm. And with the weather being what it is in Oregon, I won't have to wait until calendar winter to wear it. It is made with Debbie Bliss wool/cashmere blend on size 7 needles. The pattern is called VanDyke lace.

Ten UFO’s

Count them. Thanks…I’d rather not. But there they are…all those unfinished objects lurking in the back of the closet and stuck here and there about the house in several of the multitude of bags I love to keep on hand. Can you believe I just made another one! [See entry below.]

Anyhow…I am thinking that I should (there’s that word again) finish them before I start any more with the wonderful yarns I purchased while on vacation. Ten projects/ten weeks. If I stick to a schedule, I could have everything wound up by the end of September. Just in time to start on warm fuzzies for Fall and Winter.

Of course, some need more work than others. Take the socks, for example. One pair is done except for joining the toes with the dreaded Kitchner Stitch. The other pair has sock one half done and sock two not even started. Mending an afghan should be a quickie, but the Sixteen Color Vest will take more than a week. (It took me a whole winter to knit it the first time before I ripped it out because I lost 50 pounds that same winter and by the time I finished it, it was way too big.)

That’s all well and good, but on this quiet Sunday I want so much to plunge into some of the yarn waiting…waiting…waiting. While in Missouri, I visited The Studio in Kansas City which was a favorite spot when I lived back there. And I dropped in to Kiddin’ Around in Clinton to just say hi and ended up with two balls of fun bumpy yarn. Then my friend Jane gave me some from her stash. I also have some skeins sent by a friend that would make a great scarf for her.

So the PIW’s are beckoning. But I will stand firm. At least for today. I have a plan to meet my friend Linda next week to get back into Sock Mode. She is a pro at that K Stitch. And I do like the small sock projects as take-alongs.

The State Fair is coming up but I have resolved not to enter anything that is not already complete. No more stitching up the last seam in the car on the way to the drop-off point. Watch this space for updates on the final decision on knitted items. The Quilt will go, of course.

To Market...To Market...

If you know me, you know it is NOT to buy a fat pig. Baby treats, natural old-fashioned peanut butter, and organic tea fit nicely. I made this in one evening on Size 17 needles from a Mother Earth Knitted Bag pattern from Fibers Grass Valley at 120 Mill Street, Grass Valley CA.

Next time I will use a circular needle so I don't have to sew up the sides. Maybe add some color stripes. This is made with 100 yards of hemp.

World Wide Knit in Public Day

On June 14th, yarn lovers all over the United States and the world were staging public knit-ins. In Portland, there were several events scheduled. Because we learned of the event rather late, Knit Wits was not able to participate as a full group. Those of us who could attend chose to stay close to home and not venture downtown. Jen, Pat and Monica met at Cafe Delerium in Gresham for an afternoon of coffee/tea/smoothie and knitting. Jen (on the couch) is working on a felted purse, Monica (seated on right) has tackled Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket, and Pat (seated on left) is starting a "spa cloth."

Little Mary Jane Footsies

For Christmas Windy gave me a subscription to Creative Knitting magazine. Each issue has had something I wanted to make. The latest project I chose was Mary Jane Footsies for my sweet granddaughter Ember. Thanks to my Knit Wits buddy Nancy, I got past the dreaded "pick up stitches" part of the pattern.

Christening Wardrobe

This scarf is made to match the Edwardian Carrying Cape (see October 17, 2007) and is for Windy to wear on the special day. It's made with the left-over yarn using the same lace border pattern.

Big Boy Afghan

I started this in early 2007 and intended it for a gift for my son-in-law on his birthday March 28th. Lots of things happened on the way to the party. For one thing...it turned out to take longer than I thought. Then I lost the crochet hook and couldn't remember what size I was using. Then my kids started having babies and a whole new world of knitting and crocheting opened up. A couple of months ago, I decided to finish this for Chris' birthday in March 2008. Missed that deadline too. But I finally finished it this weekend. I won't wait until the next gift-giving event (Father's Day). I'll just give it to him tomorrow. Happy Magic Monday!

The Bolden Brothers

Brayden is wearing the plaid shirt I sent him and Grayson is dressed in his Baby Surprise Jacket. Isn't it cute that he is sleeping though the whole thing? These little boys would be my sister's great grandsons. I am so lucky to be part of their lives.

Round and Round and Round

The never-ending Pinwheel Baby Blanket is finally done. After several unsuccessful attempts to find a bind-off that wouldn't roll up, I decided to insert a purl row and then knit a few more rows, turn it under and hem it like a skirt. It is for my little nephew Grayson who is five weeks old today. I will take it to Yarn Yoga next Monday as the ladies have heard me weep and wail over this project. Then it will be on its way to California.

Hats - Hats - Hats

A girl can't have too many. The little pink one is way too small. The green one is still too big. The red one is just right!

Third Surprise

Here is the third version of Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket. This is to welcome little Grayson Sky Bolden. He is Brayden's brother and he would have been my sister's second great grandson. Born February 8th in Sacramento, California.

Love In Every Stitch

This is the afghan I made before Andy & Laura found out they were having a boy. I chose pale yellow because it looked so soft and snuggly for a newborn baby. It is crocheted on the diagonal...the "Lin Pattern" my friend taught me years ago. I forgot to measure it before I gave it to them.

Baby Surprise Jacket #2

This one is for Andy & Laura's baby that is due in March. Andy chose the Red Sox colors and I found little baseball buttons at Craft Warehouse. It is Elizabeth Zimmerman's famous pattern, made using size 7 needles and Bernat Satin Sport yarn.

Red Scarf Project Again

Last year I participated in the Red Scarf Project and this year my Knit Wits group decided to join in. We each made a red scarf for some foster child somewhere. On Monday we took a field trip to Yarn Garden and donated our efforts. For this year, I tried a new pattern using short rows. It ended up with alternating triangles and made a very interesting design. The pattern was from a knitting magazine (Christmas present from my daughter), Creative Knitting, March 2008. Size 10 1/2 needles and worsted weight yarn.

A Knit Wits Visit

Little Ember Louise Fay Roth and her mother visited the Knit Wits on Wednesday. You will note the pink lace hat that has appeared here before. Also...at the bottom of the photo you can see the little green booties that Knit Wits member Nancy made for the baby.

My daughter gave me a subscription to a knitting magazine and now each month I am getting ideas for more things to make for my grandchildren. Another one is due in March! Stay in touch for more photos of projects.