Watermelon Moebius Cowl

 

My favorite model - Abby, my youngest

I'm knitting again!  Not that I really stopped, but 2 surgeries in 2 months did weigh me down a bit.  I thought I would just sit in bed while my ankle healed (no weight bearing for 6 weeks) and knit, read and eat bonbons.  Not so.  Turns out I can't stand just sitting and would spend time taking excursions to the first floor to scavenge for food or hobble to the car to pick up kids, then return exhausted because it's hard to get around on crutches.  Oh well, that's past now and I am happy to announce that I can walk now without overturning my ankle and breaking it.  So on to the good stuff!








One book I did take the time to read was Cat Bordhi's A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting,  which contains brilliant creations all using the Moebius concept.  I am fascinated with the never ending Moebius single-side (one surface).  Even more fascinating is the cast on and knitting of a Moebius in which you knit the right and wrong sides continuously without turning your knitting.  Both sides (or the continuous one side, depending on your point of view) magically flow from you needles.  I love it!  My teenage daughter, on the other hand, won't look at it because the concept freaks her out and questions her concept of basic 3-dimensional logic.  But whatever logic you follow, go with the flow and have fun.

Abby and her chicken Chelsea hope you have fun!

Oh and I found a great youTube video that explains and shows you how to cast on and knit.  One requirement is using a long circular needle that is at least 47" and 60" long.  http://youtu.be/LVnTda7F2V4

Charted Lace Shawl -- First Timer Jinx

Because I was stuck mostly in my bedroom after ankle reconstruction surgery, I thought it would be the perfect time to tackle my first charted lace shawl.  This blurry picture is probably my 6th restart.  As I continued to reread the chart, I kept realizing that I needed to make corrections.  For instance, I didn't realize that the even rows needed to be interpreted opposite of what is written.  And I missed that the odd rows had switched to knit.  How many stitches was I supposed to have?

I've made it to the second chart and now am stymied about how to/where/etc. work the repeats.  Almost made it to that point but had to frog it again.  I will keep at it and keep everyone informed.


Gail

First Hat - Piece of Cake

I just finished my first hat!  It really was easy peasy, don't know why I didn't try one before.   Just started a two color, double knit scarf.  That's where you knit one side in one color and the second side a different color at the same time.  I had to look it up, being somewhat of a newbie.  Cast on the stitches holding both colors so that the cast on stitches each have a strand of each color.  Then you knit each color in the stitch separately depending on whether you are on the right or the wrong side.  Hasn't been too hard but I'm only a few rows in.

I love how this hat swirls like fruit sherbet.

    See you later,

                       Gail

You Must See This!

Lucy Neatby recently designed the Udderly Divine Bag.  Patternfish just included the pattern for the bag at their website this past week so it is literally hot off the press.

It really is a usable bag knitted in the round.  Check out Lucy's variation should you wish to use the bag as a knitting bag.

Visit Patternfish to see more pictures of the Udderly Divine Bag and take the time to look at her other designs that are beautiful as well as striking because of her choices of colors.

Please leave a comment letting me know what you think about this bag as well as her other designs!

Enjoy,     Gail

Change Sparks Interest & Good Stuff for You!

           Shake things up.  Especially if what you're doing is not working. So as of today, I'm revving up my posts: providing free patterns and tutorials,  supplying particulars for giveaways and showcases, pictures of works in progress and finished work (like the cowl I'm wearing in the shower), as well as any other interesting tidbits I may find along the way.


So if you're new and stumbled here by accident or are checking to see if I finally got my shit together, please give the changes a chance.  Why?  Because it's Gail!

Always Late But Working on It

Last week I tried to post but was waylaid by a stuck button.  But that's not an excuse.  It is a new year and there's lots to do, including turning a new leaf!  And to that end, today the girls were at their viola and violin lessons on time!!  Quite an accomplishment for me and one that I plan to continue as the year moves on.

After reading several of the blogs I follow I decided not to make resolutions but rather set goals instead.  So here goes.

Projects currently in progress:

• A hat for Abby.  This is my first try at knitting a hat so it's a simple simple pattern.
• While we're talking about Abby, finish weaving in the ends of the quasi-infinity scarf so she can wear it this winter.
• Add a soft lining to Abby's cowl so she doesn't have any scratchiness next to her neck, poor child.
• Embroider or needle felt "Sam" on the little orange purse I made for my granddaughter.
• Sew a soft back on the scarf that was re-purposed from a thrift store sweater.
• Finish the laptop sleeve also created from said thrift store sweater.
• Have all the above projects finished by the end of next weekend.
• Continue writing the mystery novel I started in November as part of NaNoWriMo (not to be completed by next weekend.

I would love to hear what projects you all have cooking right now.  So leave a comment below.

Ta ta for now.    Gail

Because the Holidays are Near, Coming Soon, Good Sites for You

Yes, there hasn't been anything new posted for you.  That will change this weekend.  Soon you will be able to learn about interesting sites to learn about crafting, free new knitting and crocheting patterns and, because everyone loves to enter for the chance for free giveaways!

So stay tuned, tell your neighbors and friends, this is the place to find out where you can find brilliant handmade gifts and good deals and new patterns and more.  And maybe some nonsense for the fun of it.

Win a Vogue Knitting Book!

I received an email today about winning the Vogue Knitting  Mittens and Gloves Giveaway.  I haven't been able to copy the picture of the book and put it here but you can see the  copy below.  Also, the info came from the website "All Free Patterns" which does have nice patterns.  I'll continue to keep everyone informed of any interesting patterns or blogs or websites for knitting, crocheting, spinning or any other crafts that I run across. 

The link to enter to win the book is:    http://www.allfreeknitting.com/sweeps/Vogue-Knitting-Mittens-and-Gloves-Giveaway. 

Here is the copy:

Vogue Knitting Mittens and Gloves
By the Editors of Vogue Knitting
Publisher: sixth&spring books
http://www.sixthandspringbooks.com/
ISBN: 1936096056

Who doesn't love knitting mittens and gloves? With Vogue Knitting Mittens & Gloves from Vogue Knitting magazine, you'll receive a collection of more than 40 innovative designs, from convertible mittens to patterns for coordinating hats and scarves. Create trendy wristlets, funky fingerless mitts or classic lace panel gloves - the choice is up to you.

Good luck.  Now I'm off to try to type another 3000 or so words today for my novel.  I'm behind.  I only have 7,116 words.  I'll check back later and let you all know if I made my goal today.

Happy Halloween -- Winter is Nigh

Molly's sinister pumpkin

Today was Halloween and snow kept fluttering on and off up here in the North Country.  Winter is certainly on its way trying to erase all memory of the 70 degree days we enjoyed just a few days ago.  But I don't mind because now I can start wearing the heavy sweaters I from Nova Scotia and Ireland.

Abby's chicken pumpkin

Thank God for You Tube!

My Louet Victoria Spinning Wheel arrived Monday.  It was pretty easy to put together and I liked practicing how to pedal to keep the movement going smoothly.  But it stopped there.  I didn't have a clue what to do next.  Thank God for the internet and You Tube.  I found some tutorials and at least know the mechanics.  So can I spin?  Of course not.  Stay tuned, though.