I am joining Ginny at Small Things by sharing our garden.
Hot weather (102-106) this week in Sacramento and it shows in the garden
Saturday Morning’s — I am at the curb with VEGGIES FOR SALE!
Wish you could stop by. . .I’d make you a deal!
I’m thankful for the shoppers who come every Saturday.
Today was pretty warm.
I’m thankful for Travis and Margaret’s easy-up for shade,
a cool breeze now and then,
and time to sit and knit and listen to a book
while I wait for veggie loving customers.
If you send a quilter/knitter to Grandma’s. . .
she’ll have to take a sewing machine, (she has done this before)
an iron, pressing mat, rotary cutter, scissors a cutting mat
and a project over due that needs to be finished now.
She’ll also take 6 shawls in various stages of completion:
from almost there, finish ripping out the cast off and re-do with enough beads for finishing.
to just one more clue
to just two more clues
to where did I leave off on this one
to so I took this one off the needles to use for another project–now it’s on a lifeline, how do I rescue it.
to I think I’ll start this over
or not maybe just rip it out and use the yarn for ……..
this goes with me, ‘coz I can knit and I don’t have to think much,
(yep, it’s a Longerberger basket)
and a sweater to try to learn how to knit the both sleeves at one time on one long circular needle,
thinking she will get at least 3 shawls finished.
WAIT!! the quilter/knitter will only be at Grandma’s for 5 days, and there are meals to cook and the flower garden to water, and naps to take. . . . . . . . .
Joining Ginny and all the other stay at home knitters this week.
A Yarn Swift
Some yarn skeins come twisted on to itself. See ivory yarn below. I untwist the skein and spread it around the swift. I thread the yarn on to my ball winder.
The Ball Winder
After a few minutes of winding I have a yarn cake. See yarn cake on top of twisted skeins. I love yarn cakes, almost as much as chocolate ones.
The Yarn
I always smile when I am asked,
“Do you want me to wind the yarn?’
I say “I have the toys.”
Linking with Ginny, because we all have our favorite toys.
The rules are simple:
Anyone can participate.
You’re encouraged to take five new photos this week for the challenge. Creativity is also encouraged!
If you get stumped, you may use one photo from your archive (although I’m not too strict about it – I do my best to take fresh shots).
Link up here on Sunday (or Tuesday at the latest) – you can use the button above.
Leave comments for at least five entries around yours (we have so many new participants each week, this is the only way I know to be inclusive).
Have fun!
Without further discussion…here are my interpretations this week:
travel
Many miles have been spun on this merry-go-round, made by the Farmer.
silly
If I can’t see you – you can’t see me, silly cat!
black and white
I love to work cross word puzzles!
Having a good crossword dictionary makes all the difference!
This one a gift from daughter #3, copyright 1940, with its pages blowing in the wind of the fan.
spots
Spots on socks!
paper
A paper pattern for my current quilt project.
To see others’ scavenger finds, click here.
YARN CAKES!
I LOVE YARN CAKES!
All types of YARN CAKES!
All sides of YARN CAKES!
I love Noro ‘Silk Garden Sock’ YARN CAKES with long color stripes.
I love YARN CAKES in contrasting colors. patiently waiting their turn for the needles.
I love YARN CAKES in lace weight, so many yards in a little cake.
I love YARN CAKES, waiting even though the project has been rejected.
I love YARN CAKES of rayon/wool that crumble when handled.
“May your life be filled, as mine has been, with love and laughter (and YARN CAKES); and remember, when things are rough all you need is … Chocolate.”
― (Geraldine Solon, Chocolicious
Joining Tami , sharing my love of YARN CAKES.
“~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?” this is what Ginny asks; I’m answering. . .
Holden Shawlette is off the needles, my circular point came off the cable. the Farmer did a gluing and I’m ready to put Holden back where it belongs.
Coffee Beanz wallably is getting its pouch.
While digging in the ‘stash shed’ this Noro and pattern in its own little bag called out to be cast on – (I heard last night that with obedience comes joy) – I’m Happy! Pattern – Gaia Shoulder Hug by Anne Carroll Gilmour with Noro Silk Garden Sock, color S272, grey,black, purple, turquoise, olive green.
The Stash Shed
I’m reading Faye Kellerman’s short stories in The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights. Quick reads, humorous with a twist. While knitting I’m listening to Blue Gold by Clive Cussler.
Tami’s is a fun place to visit, too. See you there!
“~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well.” Join others here.
I put ‘Soft Twist Slice of Pi’ on a life-line to see what it was looking like:
I have another last section repeat and the a ruffle border. I’m finally learning what to look for to keep my stitch count accurate.
The Holden shawlette is coming along. I’m ready to start the feather and fan border. I made the body larger; now I have to work out the math.
Tonight I’m listening to Cloud Nine by Luanne Rice.
How far down the road to learning your craft do you believe yourself to be?
From no knowledge to being able to teach others to knit and loving every stitch, every needle, every skein of yarn along the way.
I learned to crochet from my mother as a child, while watching her make a traditional granny square afghan, bright colors with black. I never really made anything, I could just do the stitches.
I made a shell stitch scarf for my husband when we were first married. Later a couple of large single granny square afghans, I don’t like to stitch little squares together. I tried afghan stitch making an afghan and adding cross-stitched pattern. for my girls I crocheted open-work ponchos.
I always wanted to learn to knit. I found an ‘I can learn to knit’ book, so step by step and picture by picture I learned the basics, English style.
I had seen Continental style and that was the way I wanted to knit. I didn’t know what the styles were called. I talked with an older knitter friend, and she showed me how to start. So I just kind of put together a way to knit — leaving me knitting with twisted stitches. I didn’t know that either.
I made a hooded poncho and a sweater, a baby sack …sock hats with long skinny ends. We called them elephant hats, because when you bent over the hat tails fell down looking like elephant trunks.
THEN………I started reading (collecting) knitting books,and all kinds of needles, wood, bamboo, metal, plastic, glass, round, square, straights, double pointed and circulars and Y A R N!
I began reading, following the pictures, and step by step perfecting the little I knew.
I mainly used a yarn like Lion’s Homespun. I was afraid of my stitches, afraid I was doing them wrong, afraid of what they looked like. I kept on knitting. I don’t know how many round afghans I knitted from Homespun.
If someone would ask me ‘do you knit?,’
I would always say, oh kind of, or just a little; always comparing myself with other knitters. Then one day I realized, I KNIT! Not as good as some, not as competent as others, but I knitted the best I could.
My mom bought me this book and I began to work my way through it. Some patterns I couldn’t figure out because of my twisted stitches. I have a bag full of 4×4 inch squares of samples. Now I use the pattern book to make washcloths, still trying new patterns.
I learned how to knit without twisting, how the stitches sit on the needles and what it means, and how to pick up drop stitches.
I have tried and love knitting lace and have made 6 shawls. I’ve made soxs.
Most times I have either a Wallaby or a Zimmermann’s baby surprise jacket on my needles.
Oh…..and I LOVE stitch definition.
Knitting, being able to read the stitches, listening to the rhythm of the needles is like another language. I’ve become bi-lingual!
A Knitter or Crocheter For All Seasons?
I am definitely a knitter for all seasons.
It doesn’t matter when, I will knit.
It doesn’t matter what fiber yarn
(Although I am a bit of a yarn snob,
I really like the nice stuff)
It doesn’t matter where, I will knit
at stop lights
(sometimes I hope I have to wait for the next green light)
in restaurants
at family get to-gethers
on vacations
Jeckle Island, South Carolina
You see,
I have works-in-progress. . .
I have needles . . .
I have yarn . . .
(Picture taken during stash organization)
I have a cozy spot . . .
I have a favorite yarn shop. . .
Babetta’s Yarn and Gifts
Fair Oaks, CA
I AM A KNITTER FOR ALL SEASONS!
I saw this hat and knew I needed to make it for my oldest (13) grandson, Alex. His parents weren’t quite as excited when I explained it had dreadlocks. Alex was super excited.
After a couple weeks, Alex asked ‘have you finished my hat?’ opps!
That day I started. This hat was a lot of fun to knit. And since it only took me two days a fast knit, of course, the yarn is held double.
I have visions of having to knit more of these, when the other grandsons see this one…..a son might not want to be left out.
I received this yarn from my mother who cleaned our her stash, thank you.
I had approx 40 yards leftover from each skein.
The hat is from this book — Drew Emborsky and Annie Modesitt, the co-authors of Men Who Knit and the Dogs Who Love Them, thank you.
I was attacked by a severe case of startitis!
I was knitting along very happily on the Anjou and the Slice of Pi, when it hit.
Alpaca Sox Shawl by Emily Devlin
Now I have to knit a little and knit a little there, here a row, there a row. Oh I love each and every row!
Slice of Pi is blooming beautifully.
This is where my pretty ones sleep, right next to my chair.
Busterford Jones has taken over the basket when Grissabell isn’t in it.
I’m listen to A Widow’s Story, A Memoir by Joyce Carol Oates, the story of her life after the sudden death of her husband. The topic isn’t pleasant (what word to use), but the author’s ability to describe the roller coaster ride of a widow is very well done.
Joining Ginny at Small Things. If you visit, you’ll find many beautiful works in progress – some are even finished.
I am making progress on Anjou this week.
Last Week
This Week
The Lace
This piece has charts for the individual sections. I have completed:
Point to Pears – Cast on 5 stitches, 35 rows of knitting, 27 stitches on needles
Widening – work all 12 rows 5 times, 5 pears completed, 57 stitches on needles
The Straightaway – work all 12 rows 17 times. Whether following Charts or written instructions, work each row as follows, Charts A, sm, B, sm, C, sm, B, sm, D.
I am on my 6th repeat down the straightaway. Once I became accustomed to working the multiple charts and highlighting the ssks to help distinguish from the k2ts, the progress has been easier and faster.
I’m enjoying this project, if I could only stay focused and not sidetracked to all the other beautiful things I want to try.
Sharing my WIP with others here.
Have you wondered what’s inside?
Sunday afternoon I started re-organizing the Stash Shed. It was suffering from
pile it-itis
I’ll let you take a peek, understand a lot of moving around had already been going on, I didn’t think of taking before pictures.
On the right I have all my office supply stuff, games, puzzles, etc, next is my pantry food, baking supplies, spices, paper goods and cleaning supplies. Straight back lower shelf I keep day care stuff car seat, portacrib, extra clothes, diapers, ya’ know.
Upper shelves have quilt kits, assorted fabric boxed according to style ( ’30’s, reproductions, orientals). behind the corner of the cutting table lower shelves and floor I have my yarn.
The top of the cutting table is a flat surface, the rule is you must place STUFF on flat surfaces!
Initially, I was trying to conquer that area. I’m almost done. Gotta put the yarn babies to bed.
Random pictures of yarn.
In the sorting stage.
Disclaimer, my mom sorted her yarn before moving and I got a tub ‘o yarn. So some of these babies are very new to me. Some are long time friends.
I don’t just collect. I also knit.
I must go fondle my yarn and finish my puttering.
One Thousand Gifts in 2012
February Joy Dare–capturing these gifts and joining Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.
“Joy is always a function of gratitude — and gratitude is always a function of perspective. If we are going to change our lives, what we’re going to have to change is the way we see.”
February 21 — 3 gifts white
White violets arriving every spring,
White clouds turning pink after the rain,
Clean white sheets of paper waiting to receive
February 22 — 3 gifts that changed today
Solid veggies that change into juice,
Water that changed into hot coffee from Bro Bob via the Farmer,
A cool morning changed into a warm afternoon then back cool in the evening
February 23 — a gift of tin, a gift of glass, a gift of wood
My tuna from a tin can,
Many glass windows so I don’t have to live in a cave,
Wood doors for privacy
February 24 — 3 gifts before 11am
A hug from the Farmer,
Devotions with my Father,
Smiles from the littlies
February 25 — a gift nearly worn out, a gift new, a gift made do
Worn out – my favorite jean skirt
New – every day is a new gift
Made do – a sea crate instead of a garage
February 26 –3 gifts seen as reflections
Watching a little girl make faces art herself in a mirror,
The love seen in the faces of a senior couple as they smile at a secret thought,
The distorted view of my kitchen in the crome sides of the coffee pot
February 27 — 3 ugly-beautiful gifts (see beauty in ugly) My brain just couldn’t put this one together, I see a kind of beauty in everything.
February 28 — 3 gifts from the past that help you trust the future
The book “Streams in the Desert’ a devotional given to me June, 1983 by my sister in law – each day seems to fit my need.
The Bible I bought for myself, December, 1975, reading it every day
The vows I exchanged on June 16, 1967 “until death do us part” are constant in an ever-changing world.
February 29 — a gift dull, a gift shimmering, a gift cleaned
Dull – The rusty antic iron tractor from my father
Glimmering – Light shining on my knitting needle collection
Cleaned – Fresh washed sheets dried in the sun and wind
Gifts 269-294
February 21 is a beautiful winter day on Cozy Acres. The Farmer said, ” Today I’ll get the planting done” Walk around with me, I’ll show you.
Last week the Farmer dug up a wayward wisteria and put up this woven wire trellis. Monday 4 star jasmine were purchased with a gift certificate from Capital Nursery.
Compost, fertilizer and tools all together
The Farmer has planting sown to a science.
Star Jasmine at home at Cozy Acres.
Some plants are starting to bloom.
Three varieties of violets and primroses are coming up.
Christmas Rose from Grandma Crain.
Today’s Seed Nursery
Fig cuttings
Future Greenhouse
Behind the tractor shed, facing south and west
Railroad ties for footing, river rocks for flooring
Wood for framing
Poor picture, used patio doors and assorted windows
from Enterprise Glass, Mary’s employer
Winter Garden
Kind of weedy, still trying to perfect winter gardening.
Beets
Broccoli takes about a minute to steam to tender crisp.
Cauliflower, onions, greens
Monday the Farmer purchased 5 citrus trees, Meyer Lemon, Blood Orange, Navel Orange, Rio Red grapefruit, and a Satsuma tangerine.
Trees will get planted in the front yard north side of house.
The Farmer on his knees again, praying while planting, I’m sure.
Grass will be removed inside the circle, tree planted, mulched thickly, river rock will border each planting.
You have to see the daffodils around the pecan tree.
Daffodils and china lilies from Grandma Crain and the Lincoln Avenue property.
View from north porch.
Of course, Grizz and Buster are overseeing everything.
Inside at Cozy Acres is not near as exciting, except to me.
Knitting stuff first.
I’ve been trying to finish some projects.
Only about 3-4 inches and the hood will be done on this sweatshirt sweater.
Tails are waiting to be woven in and these dishcloths are done.
This ‘Knit-a-long’ scarf is the most challenging project I have ever tried. I love the color of the yarn and the bronze beads accent it beautifully. My skills are falling short, but I’m not giving up.
I started this slouchy sock hat this week. I tried it on and it’s time to rip it allllllllll out. I knitted it so loosely on size 10 needles, that it is big enough for a giant, not the petite young lady I’ve in mind.
New yarn this month plus the hat yarn.
Quilting now.
My Christmas window hanging binding is pinned and ready to hand stitch and it’s done. Ready for next Christmas.
I’m on track with the Bread and Butter Quilting Club quilt for this year.
This year’s project.
The stripe and all but 7 of the coordinating fabrics; I found in my stash.
The center block, I fussy cut the urn from the stripe fabric, from cutting to final pressing about 4 hours. For any quilters that read this, the flying geese were made with the one seam method. I used method 4. I really like this method. I get a good 1/4 inch from outside points to edge of block, so I don’t won’t loose any points that way and the three dimensional look is neat.
This is what our days are looking like at Cozy Acres; and there are the chickens, and the little girlies 3 days a week, general yard work, juicing, and life. I wouldn’t trade it for ……………..well, maybe I’ll think about this a little longer. 🙂
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Thoughts of Grace 