Wool Windings

The Circle Vest

2009-03-17T09:51:00.015-05:00

I love to knit. I knit almost every day. I can see myself knitting for the rest of my life. But, it has become clear to me that writing about my knitting projects is not something I have a heart for anymore. From now on I'll be keeping project notes on Ravelry only and blogging about day-to-day happenings on my photo blog, One Snap. Thank you for following Wool Windings all these years. I'm a better knitter because of your encouragement.

The last project featured on this blog is a very cleverly designed vest called Circle Vest.

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden

Color: 267 Taupes/Blue

Modification: Added a button for a better fit in the front.

The armholes are finished with slip-stitch crochet.

The back is the star of the show.

More notes and pictures here.

Baby Blanket

2009-02-16T10:11:00.007-06:00

Free Pattern: Sunny Baby Blanket
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Needles: US 8
Notes on Ravelry

Take a Look

2009-02-09T14:23:00.004-06:00

At first glance you might think these are regular mittens. But take a closer look and you'll notice the thumb is open.

Then look at the palm side and you will see that these are indeed fingerless mittens.

How cool is that!

Pattern: Negative Space
Source: Knitting New Mittens and Gloves by Robin Melanson
Yarn: Reynold's Lopi
Needles: US 10 & 10.5 DPNs

The unique design of this "half-glove with a tongue," allows the back of the hand to be covered for warmth, while the fingers remain free.

There are many fun elements in the construction of these mittens, including provisional cast-on, I-cord bind-off and applied I-cord (the cuff is an I-cord coil).

Everything I needed to know about working a technique that was new to me was explained, so I didn't have to go to another source for help.

I look forward to knitting other mittens and gloves from this book. There are 28 designs to choose from...I like them all.

Not Just a Neck Warmer

2009-02-02T11:16:00.003-06:00

The beauty of this neck gaiter is its simplicity and versatility.

Worn as designed, it's long enough to pull up over your mouth and nose if needed. You can, of course, knit it to any length you want. The pattern suggests 8". Mine is 8.5".

Fold it in half for an extra thick neck warmer. I wore it this way for fishing on Friday night and it kept me toasty warm.

Doubled up like this, it can also be a headband/ear warmer. Two layers of wool did a excellent job of blocking the cool breeze on Saturday.

If you want more coverage, wear it as an open-topped hat.

I may have to knit another one, so I can wear two at once.

Free Pattern: Ribbed Neck Gaiter
Yarn: Araucanaia Nature Wool
Color: Am 0320
Needles: US 7, 16" circular

Something for Sue

2009-01-26T05:00:00.001-06:00

I couldn't send Mark hand-knit mittens without making something for Sue, also.

Free Pattern: Keyhole Scarf
Yarn: Ballybrae Knitting Worsted by Brunswick (discontinued)
Color: Sky Blue Tweed
Needles: US 10

I'm modeling the scarf before it was washed. After washing it, the stitches straightened out nicely, which was good. But as I was laying it out to dry, I noticed a big mistake. It seems when making the keyhole, I bound off 12 stitches, but only cast on 10 on the next row. I was two ribs short of the right number on the bottom six inches of the scarf.

I don't know if Sue would have ever noticed this mistake, but I couldn't live with it. After the scarf was dry, I ripped back to the keyhole and fixed it.

This rustic tweed yarn is some I inherited from my mother-in-law. I think she would like the fact that one daughter-in-law knit with her yarn for another daughter-in-law.

It's almost like she's giving this gift too and that makes it extra special.

PS. Received word from Mark that the mittens fit.

The Mitten Contract

2009-01-21T08:26:00.000-06:00

Brother-in-law Mark needed a pair of wool mittens to wear under his chopper mitts. He asked if I could knit him a pair. I said, "Sure, send me a tracing of your hands." And with that, the mitten contract began.

I was warned in advance that his hands were "strong, but delicate with long graceful fingers often associated with concert pianists." When I got the tracing, I knew I should order two skeins of yarn!

I decided to go with Wonderfully Woolly Worsted Weight from Green Mountain Spinnery in natural grey. It seemed appropriate to use 100% New England Wool since Mark lives in Vermont and besides, I've always wanted to try this yarn. When it arrived, I knew I had made the right choice.

Using Ann Budd's book, The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, and advice from John, I knit a pair of mittens that John says are "just right." If it weren't for the fact that they are a little too big for him, I'm not sure he'd let me send them to his brother.

Knit at 6 stitches per inch, these mittens should be hard-wearing and warm. The 1x1 ribbed cuff is longer than typical for regular mittens, so that it will extend beyond the chopper mitts.

Extra length was added to the hand and thumb to accommodate Mark's extra large hands.

I mailing them off today.

I sure hope they fit.

Westminster Vest

2009-01-12T13:24:00.005-06:00

My vest is finished and it's actually cold enough to wear it. Yippee!

Westminster Vest
Designed by Betsy Campbell for the Wooly West
Pattern Purchased at Black Sheep Wool Co. in Salt Lake City, Utah
More project details and pictures here.

Fisherman's Neck Gaiter

2009-01-08T10:48:00.000-06:00

For my favorite fisherman.

Fisherman's Rib Stitch in the Round
Free Pattern with Photo Tutorial
Project Details

New for 2009

2009-01-05T12:24:00.000-06:00

The back and two fronts of my vest are finished and have been joined by three-needle bind off at the shoulders. Today I will sew the side seams and begin knitting the band along the armhole edges. The job of seaming will be all the more fun using my new Gingher scissors adorned with cross-stitch fob. My neighbor gave these to me for Christmas and I love them!

The photo above is being featured today on my photo journal, One Snap. It's a blog based on Project 365. The idea is to take and post one photo, every day, for a year. One Snap will be my primary place to blog in 2009.

Posting here at Wool Windings will be sporadic and will most likely be about knitting only, perhaps only photos of finished objects with details posted on Ravelry. I'm still debating what I want to do.

I've considered using Ravelry exclusively as my knitting journal, but there is a part of me that's not ready to give up this blog entirely and that's because of all the friendships I've made here. So, I'll experiment with a couple of ideas until I find out which works best for using my time wisely--one of my goals for 2009.

Our Week in Matagorda

2008-12-31T05:00:00.001-06:00

This was the first year that neither of the kids were home for Christmas, so John and I decided to spend the week at the travel trailer in Matagorda. We did not put up a tree. The only decorations were two poinsettia place mats and a Christmas candle.

Inside the Trailer

The weather was not the best. From Sunday to Christmas Day it went from really cold, to warm, to cold, to warm again. Each front that came through brought rain. Low clouds obscured the sun most of the time. And one day the fog was so thick that John and I walked right past each other on the beach and didn't know it.

Foggy Day at the Beach

John's big Christmas gift this year was a fishing light.

Shining a strong beam of light on the water at night attracts the bait, which in turn, attracts the fish. On the nights it wasn't too cold, I joined John for nighttime fishing on the river. Everything I caught was too small to keep, but John caught one keeper trout.

My big Christmas gift was a deck we built for the trailer. I love the way it turned out! It provided us with a nice clean, dry place to sit and watch the comings and goings on the river.

I passed on the kayak fishing this time since the weather wasn't that good, but John didn't let the cold and wind stop him. He caught two nice redfish, which gave me an opportunity to photograph the pelicans at the fish cleaning table.

Patiently Waiting

Fighting for Fish Scraps

Mine! Mine! All Mine!

We left Matagorda sooner than we planned when we got word that my grandmother passed away in Oklahoma. She was 93 years old and a faithful Christian. Though her passing was sad for us, it was a victory for her. I am confident she is in a better place and I am comforted.

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1Cor. 15:57

Z is for Zinnia

2008-12-29T07:39:00.000-06:00

Dad always planted zinnias near the vegetable garden to attract the bees and butterflies.

I remember being allowed to pick zinnia bouquets whenever I wanted, which is probably why I love this flower today.

The full, double blossoms are my favorite.

The bright colors make me smile.

I'm dreaming of a zinnia garden for next year, like the one from my childhood, with butterflies and bees and cut zinnia bouquets for the table all summer long.

At This Rate...

2008-12-18T11:43:00.004-06:00

...I don't expect to finish my vest until the end of the year, if even then.

I've only managed to knit a few inches on it since the last time I showed you. Knitting has not been a priority on my list of things to do in December, though I do wish I had this vest finished so I could wear it. I could have used it several times already this season.

John gave me this funny little sheep the other day. I think he can sense that I need some cheering up. It's been gray and dreary here all week and some last week, too. I don't do well with gray and dreary, but the weatherman promises a bit of sunshine today, so things are looking up.

Next week we'll be hanging out at the travel trailer in Matagorda. Christmas dinner might very well be grilled trout or redfish or if we're really lucky, flounder.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

Y is for Yardstick

2008-12-15T05:00:00.000-06:00

Do three yardsticks count as a collection? If so, then I have one.

According to The Book of Alternative Records, Ing. Arnulf Bietsch from Bolsterlang, Germany holds the current world record for a yardstick collection. He has collected more than 30,000 different yardsticks which he stores in a special room with air conditioning.

I keep a yardstick near my knitting spot. I like to use it or a 12-inch ruler to measure knitted fabric. I find it easier and more accurate than a retractable tape measure for measuring small items; measuring floppy fabric with a floppy tape measure can be cumbersome for me. And I always have a yardstick handy for blocking.

For anything over 36 inches a tape measure is best, of course. But, I've even found a way around that for measuring scarves: A good length for a scarf is 60 inches which happens to be the exact length of my dining room table. When the scarf reaches end-to-end, I know it's long enough.

Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other people--your family, friends, and coworkers, and even strangers you meet along the way. ~Barbara Bush

Stay Warm; Wear Wool

2008-12-11T09:11:00.007-06:00

Days like this call for wool.

It was damp and windy with feels-like temperatures in the low 20s...and it snowed! Can you see the perfectly formed snowflakes on my coat?

When I pulled out My So Called Scarf (details here) to wear yesterday morning, I decided I didn't like the looks of the cast-on and the bind-off edges, so I added fringe. Much better.

My wool/silk scarf, wool hat & mittens, wool socks and wool coat came in handy. I really felt sorry for all those people wearing acrylic.

Coming Attraction

2008-12-10T10:27:00.001-06:00

Soon to be featured as a finished object is a vest I started in mid-November.

I bought the pattern at Black Sheep Wool Co. this summer. The plan was to knit it with yarn from my stash, but nothing seemed right. For my birthday, John treated me to a trip to Twisted Yarns and I chose this pretty indigo-colored wool by Imperial Stock Ranch. I cast on right away, but got side-tracked with knitting hats and most recently a lace scarf.

As you can see, I'm back on track and nearly to the finish line--only one more front to knit and then the bands. I could knock it out in a few days, if I had more time to devote to knitting. But with things getting busy as they usually do this time of year, I'll be satisfied with getting it finished by Christmas week.

Here's a close-up of the stitch pattern: ribs and seed stitch. And for Jean, I've included the Scotch Bonnet I found on the beach this weekend.

One December Weekend

2008-12-08T05:00:00.002-06:00

We had the beach to ourselves on Friday, due the weather, I'm sure. Though it was cold and gray, my spirits were lifted just the same as if the sun had been shining. I found some pretty shells including my first unbroken Scotch bonnet and John picked up a few sea beans to add to his growing collection.

Beachcombing

The next day dawned bright and sunny, though cold to start with. John went kayak fishing early, but I decided to stay in until it warmed up a bit. An hour or so later, I layered on the wool and took a walk around the RV park. The light was just right for reflections; I had some fun with the camera.

Colorado River

Chilly Morning Boat Ride

In the Wake

Marina Reflection

By lunch it had warmed up enough that nothing more than a long-sleeve shirt was needed. The fish weren't biting from the river bank, so we went to the beach for more beachcombing. It was so beautiful, we stayed until just before sunset.

Matagorda Beach

Then, back to the travel trailer where John grilled two of the speckled trout he caught the night before for our supper, along with potatoes and roasted corn. For dessert, we toasted marshmallows over the coals, while sitting under the starry sky and planning our return next weekend.

Before & After

2008-12-04T07:43:00.001-06:00

Before Blocking: A lace scarf that looks anything but lacy. A curling jumble of stitches that masks the potential hidden within. Doubts and hope all mixed together.

After Blocking: Light, airy, beautiful lace! Chaos put in order. Doubts erased. Hope fulfilled.

Pattern: Road Not Taken
Source: A Fine Fleece by Lisa Lloyd
Yarn: Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud (held double)
Color: Horizon
Needles: US 6 (4mm)

I have nothing but praise for this pattern and the book, A Fine Fleece, Knitting with Handspun Yarns. The book contains a wonderful collection of patterns: many sweaters and vests, scarves (one with a matching hat) and several pairs of socks. Each pattern is shown knitted in handspun and commercial yarn, so you really don't need to spin your own yarn to enjoy this book.

Road Not Taken features a pretty zig-zag lace stitch that is easy enough for beginning lace knitters. The stitches are charted, which I like. The pattern is written to be knitted as a 10-row repeat or a 20-row repeat--it's your choice. I went with 20 rows.

This is a scarf that I will knit again.

X is for Xtraordinary

2008-12-01T11:13:00.006-06:00

I know this is not the correct spelling of extraordinary, but with fewer than two pages of x words in my dictionary and absolutely none that appealed to me, I'm invoking creative license on this one.

I find it xtraordinary that an orchid John gave me way back in March has survived and actually bloomed again.

In the past I've managed to keep orchids alive, but never have I had a repeat bloom. This is a first and it may never happen again--an event worthy of being called xtraordinary with an x!

Besides, these photos are much better than anything I could ever come up with for x-ray, XL, xylophone or X-mas.

Heads Up

2008-11-26T05:00:00.000-06:00

I have another hat drive to tell you about. It's in progress at The Scottish Lamb. Jean is collecting hats for the homeless of New York City. Details are here. Be sure to contact her if you have a hat to donate and she'll send you the mailing address.

Jean and I connected through our blogs when I first began mine and we've been friends ever since. A scheduled meeting in person fell through this summer, but one day when she moves back to Texas we will get together. I'm looking forward to that! Through the years, I've been on the receiving end of her generous spirit and I'm thrilled to be able to support her in this worthy effort.

I have two hats to donate.

Seaman's Cap and Turn a Square

Seaman's Cap

Free Pattern
Yarn: Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool
Color: Nature's Brown
Needles: US 6 & 7 - 16" circulars and US 7 dpns

This is a great basic hat. It is knit in the round and features a wide ribbed brim with a turning row of knit stitches to insure a neat fold. The pattern is written in three sizes. I made the medium size and it fits John well. The small would be better for me.

Turn a Square

Free Pattern
Yarn: Cascade 220 in Charcoal Grey and Mountain Colors (unmarked)
Needles: US 6 & 7, 16" circulars and US 7 dpns

Another great hat. Raglan decreases transform circular stripes into interesting squares. A self-striping yarn is recommended for the contrasting color, but I used what I had on hand: an unmarked variegated wool from Mountain Colors that I bought as a mill end. This pattern is written in one size, which is a good fit for an adult man. I'd have to go down a needle size or reduce the number of stitches if I made one for me.

W is for Weekender

2008-11-20T07:14:00.000-06:00

We are now officially Matagorda weekenders!

A new section opened up at Pelican Point RV Park and we decided to rent a space and keep our travel trailer down there full time. We moved it in on Monday.

This is the view of the Colorado River from our spot.

A few weeks ago we saw a bald eagle perched in one of the trees on the opposite bank. It was far away, but we confirmed it with a pair of binoculars. We are told there is an eagle's nest up the river.

After setting up the trailer, there was just enough daylight left to test out the waters. John caught the first fish--a nice sized sand trout.

Not to be outdone, I caught two at once.

We fished until sunset, catching several more sandies while being serenaded by the sounds of nature: cows mooing across the river, an owl hooting from his hidden spot in a tree, coyotes howling in the distance.

We said a prayer that night, thanking God for giving us this peaceful place to spend our weekends.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. ~James 1:17

Knit a Warm Hat for Charity

2008-11-17T05:00:00.000-06:00

Kathy at Irisheyes Knitting Blog is asking knitters to make warm hats for adults and children. She requests that they also be beautiful. I interpret this to mean something nicer than just a plain hat. These hats will be donated to shelters in her area and should be mailed in by January 5, 2009. As a thank-you for helping, Kathy is offering several gorgeous skeins of yarn as prizes, courtesy of Anne at Wooly Wonka Fibers. Please read this post for all the details.

I really enjoy knitting hats, so I'm happy to help. I'm going to send her the Fiber Trends Swirls Hat I made a few weeks ago that ended up too small for me. It should fit a child nicely. Also, I've worked up a couple of adult hats to donate and will be knitting more as I find the time. Perhaps you'll join me.

Honeycomb Hat
Source: The Knitter's Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes
Yarn: Reynolds Lopi (100% Wool)
Needles: US 10, 16" Circular and DPNs

This hat is very warm with its double thick folded brim in a pretty honeycomb stitch pattern. I'd like one for myself, though I found out from knitting this one, that I'd have to go down a needle size or make some other adjustment, because it's just a tad too big for my head.

Foliage
by Emilee Mooney
Yarn: Brown Sheep Nature Spun (100% Wool)
Color: Salmon
Needles: US 7, 16" circular and DPNs; US 5, 16" circular

The pattern instructions for this top-down hat are written for two weights of yarn, either chunky or worsted. This worsted weight version fits me well and I really like the pretty lace leaf stitch. I don't know if a lace hat qualifies as warm, but I couldn't resist trying this pattern.

Plain & Fancy Raglan

2008-11-10T05:00:00.000-06:00

Did you guess my latest project was a sweater? A cardigan to be exact.

It probably took me more time to decide on a pattern to show off this yarn properly than it actually took to knit the sweater. Such is the challenge of variegated yarn. In the end, I'm happy with the results.

Pattern: Chic Knits Eyelet Cardi
Yarn: Plain & Fancy Sheep & Wool
Color: Variegated Coral
Needles: US 4 and 6
Knitting Time: Less Than 3 Weeks

Stockinette stitch compliments this "busy" yarn, while a simple eyelet detail on the yoke keeps it from being too plain.

This raglan cardigan is knitted in one piece from the top down, which helps relieve some anxiety as to whether the fit will be right, because you can try it on as you knit. I made this sweater one size larger than I normally would, so it can be easily worn over long sleeves and heavier clothing this winter. It was nice to know early on that it wasn't going to be too big.

As is often the case with hand-dyed yarn, color intensity varied slightly from skein to skein and even some within the same skein. I decided to let the yarn knit up as is, though I could have tried to even out the variation by alternating skeins every few rows. For the most part, differences in color intensity are not glaring except for one place on the right sleeve.

I modified the original pattern slightly by adding an inch or two to the body length and changing the sleeves from 3/4 to full length. I also decided to use garter stitch on the bottom border of the sweater and sleeves instead of ribbing. The front bands and neckband remained in garter stitch, though I increased the number of rows for a wider border.

It is noted in the pattern that the front of this cardi may roll if very soft yarn is used. That was true with my sweater before it was washed. After it was washed, the rolling was very slight. I could have left it like that, but I decided it might be worth the effort to sew a grosgrain ribbon to the inside front border as suggested. I wasn't sure it would make that much difference, but it did! The front bands now lay completely flat, which improves the look of the whole sweater.

V is for Variegated

2008-11-06T11:50:00.000-06:00

Variegated yarn is fun to knit with. I guess that's why I fall for it so often, even though I find it challenging to match the yarn to a pattern. Here's a sneak peek of my latest variegated project.

Variegated Yarn by **Plain & Fancy Sheep & Wool

This yarn is especially beautiful and wonderful to knit with! The ever-shifting colors kept my needles flying and before I knew it, this project was finished. Yes, finished before I even had a chance to mention I was working on it. You can probably guess what it is from the picture, but I'm going to save the details until after the photo shoot this weekend.

**Plain and Fancy will be one of the vendors this weekend at Kid 'N Ewe fiber festival in Boerne, Texas.

Fishing Hat

2008-11-03T05:00:00.002-06:00

A cool, damp breeze blew across the bay Friday night as we fished under the lights on the First Street Pier in Palacios. I was glad I had brought along my new hat I knitted especially for this occasion. It didn't help me catch fish, but it kept my ears from aching.

Free Pattern: Ardelle
Yarn: El Coyote Ranch (62% Wool, 24% Mohair, 14% Llama)
Color: Natural Gray
Needles: US 8

This hat is similar in style to the one I made John. It begins with a cabled band, knitted flat on two needles. Stitches are then picked up around the edge of the band and the rest of the hat is knitted in stockinette stitch in the round.

The yarn is bulky and knitted at a tight gauge for extra warmth.

The result is a heavy duty head warmer that I've deemed the perfect fishing hat.

Pacifier Clip

2008-10-29T05:00:00.002-05:00

The most recent baby shower gift I gave was a purchased item from a gift registry. To add a personal touch, I knitted a pacifier clip and used it as a package topper.

Free Pattern: Flower Pacifier Clip by Susan B. Anderson
Yarn: Tahki Cotton Classic
Needles: US 3 DPNs

The challenge of this project for most people is the finishing. Most of the parts are knitted seperately then sewn together. There are five petals, one center, two leaves and one cord. I found the construction of the petals interesting and clever--bascially, you knit a tube on two needles. Knitting the center of the flower was the most fiddly part for me due to the small number of stitches that must be knit in the round. Even with all the parts to sew together though, I was able to finish this project in one afternoon. I think that's a reasonable amount of time for a gift this cute.

B&B

2008-10-27T07:17:00.001-05:00

This weekend we had an opportunity to spend the night at the Stanley-Fisher Bed & Breakfast in Matagorda, Texas. Our stay was wonderful and I highly recommend the Stanley-Fisher should you ever travel this way.

This historic home was built in 1832 which makes it one of the first houses ever built in Texas. It was constructed for Stanley Rhodes Fisher, an early Texas colonist, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, and Secretary of the Republic of Texas Navy. It is likely that Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston were guests here from time to time.

Current owners, Rik and Peggy Stanley, have beautifully restored this home. Upon our arrival they greeted us warmly and took us on a tour, relating to us the history of the house and its previous owners. At the top of the stairs just outside the room we stayed in is a cozy sitting area for reading (or knitting!).

Tastefully displayed throughout the house are bowls and baskets of shells collected from nearby Matagorda Beach. Peggy told us of some of her other beach finds, which included two bottles with messages inside. One was launched from a cruise ship in the Gulf and the other was launched from New York as a science class project.

After a restful night's sleep and a delicious home cooked breakfast, we were ready for a little beachcombing of our own. John began his search back in the dunes for sea beans. I joined him later, but first walked along the surf looking for shells.

My best finds of the day were a perfect sand dollar and my first sea heart.

After lunch at Spoonbills, we put the kayaks in for fishing at McNab Lake. The fish were hard to find, but John managed to catch two undersized trout and one flounder big enough to keep. I didn't even get a bite. Oh well, there's always next time...

U is for University

2008-10-24T05:00:00.003-05:00

I'm a graduate of Texas A&I University, now known as Texas A&M of Kingsville.

John and I met on this campus. We both began our freshman year in 1978. He was an engineering major; I was a business major. He lived off campus; I lived on campus. So even though our university was small, I guess it's not surprising that we didn't meet until the spring semester of our junior year.

We were both enrolled in a course called The Philosophy of Logic taught by Dr. Davidson. This class was not required by any major on campus. It was an elective course and we were probably lucky it made the cut that year. It was a small class, maybe a dozen students, and very informal. On the first day of class Dr. Davidson had us arrange our chairs in a circle and say a little something about ourselves by way of introduction.

John caught my eye that day, even though I already had a boyfriend. I remember him saying he was originally from Vermont, worked as a night dispatcher and was in a fraternity.

John 1981

Later that semester my boyfriend and I broke up. It turned out to be a good thing, because I was then free to get to know John better. At the end of the semester he asked me out for the first time. And the rest, as they say, is history. It was not all smooth sailing, but it did end in happily ever after. We were married in 1984 and in May will celebrate 25 years of marriage.

This post would not be complete without a picture of me from my university days. I only wish I could have found a more flattering one. I'm front row, middle, in the white jacket.

Tracy 1982

Socks for John

2008-10-22T05:00:00.002-05:00

It's still too warm for wool here, but John has gotten plenty of use out of his hand knit socks on business trips to colder climates. I wasn't quite finished with this pair before he left on Sunday, so he'll be seeing them completely finished for the first time when he reads this post. Hope you like them, Honey!

Basic Short-Row Sock
Worked on 68 stitches
Needles: US 1 1/2 (2.5 mm)
Yarn: Mountain Colors Bearfoot
Color: Granite Peak

Saturday Blessings

2008-10-20T05:00:00.003-05:00

This hymn is one of my favorites:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

It reminds me to give God thanks for the blessings of life. As we sang this beautiful song on Sunday, I thought back to the blessings of the day before.

Thank you, God for a loving husband who enjoys spending time with me so much that he taught me to fish so we could spend even more time together.

Thank you, God for the beauty of the early morning.

For the way the light is soft and warm.

For revealing your power and divine nature in what you have made.

Thank you for all blessings, both great and small.

Help me to never take any of them for granted.

Knit and Learn

2008-10-15T05:00:00.002-05:00

I set aside the socks I was working on to knit a hat for me.

Pattern: Swirls Hat by Fiber Trends
Yarn: Classic Elite Inca Alpaca
Colors: Navy (1124), Gray (1103), Black (1113)
Needles: US 5 & 6 16" circular, US 6 DPNs

What I learned from this project:

1. I learned I like doing color work, though I could use more practice. The stitches I made with the yarn held in my left hand aren't very consistent in tension and I didn't leave enough slack in some of the floats. This is only the second project where I've used color work throughout. The first, a simple pattern with no floats, was in 2005. I don't plan on waiting as long to start the next project.

2. I learned how to knit a braid. It's turns out that it's really easy to do. It's a three round process. I'm glad the pattern explained that the yarns would twist on round two, but untwist on round three. It saved my sanity.

3. I learned to trust the pattern, especially if you're knitting to gauge. I started this hat with the recommended 120 stitches and after knitting the rolled brim and the first braid, I began to think it was too big. I tried it on to check. Sure enough, the ring I had knitted was huge! It fell around my neck like a cowl. I reduced the number of stitches by one pattern repeat and started over. It fit just right...until I finished the lower band of color work.

4. I learned that a mistake in knitting isn't necessarily a bad thing. This hat, though too small for me, will be a perfect fit for someone. A child somewhere will be a little warmer now, because I messed up. And, I'm happy about that.

T is for Texas

2008-10-10T05:00:00.002-05:00

I like that Texans are proud of their state and flag. Did you know Texas has a state pledge?

"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."

The Texas Pledge is routinely recited in schools after the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States. The phrase "one state under God" was added in 2007.

Texas pride is what makes Texas special and different from any place I've ever lived. A Texas flag painted on the side of a building is a common sight.

Anything can be turned into a Texas flag and often is.

T is Texas--the place I'm proud to call home.

Up Next

2008-10-08T05:00:00.002-05:00

I'm not finished knitting for John yet. Up next is a pair of socks in Mountain Colors Bearfoot yarn. The color is called Granite Peak.

If you knit socks for very long, you will probably settle on a technique or pattern you go to over and over again. My favorite is Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts' short-row technique that she explains in her book Simple Socks Plain and Fancy. In the preface of the book she states:

When the technique is understood, the execution thereof becomes mindless. This allows you to knit plain socks mindlessly (even when brain-dead) or to put your energies into the design of the sock when an elegant accessory is the goal.

I wasn't sure about that statement the first time I tried short-row socks. It was all so unfamiliar and took lots of concentration. But the next pair was easier and soon after, I could knit a short-row sock without thinking about it. Now I can pick up a ball of sock yarn, grab a set of needles and knit a sock that fits well without ever having to look at a pattern.

Just because I'm sold on short-row socks doesn't mean you will like them too. Judging from the sock patterns out there, more people prefer heel flaps. It's good to experiment to find out what suits you best. Some people like to knit socks toe-up; some like top-down. There are those, like me, that prefer double pointed needles and others that like circulars. What's your favorite way to knit a sock?

This simple pair of socks is knitting up quickly since it's the only thing on my needles. I'm almost to the toe...short-row, of course.

Kayak Fishing

2008-10-06T10:50:00.007-05:00

I had a chance to take a picture of John modeling his hat.

It's going to be a while before the weather is cold enough for him to wear it for real, but it will come in handy for late night fishing from the pier or early mornings in the kayak this winter. It is yet to be seen whether I will be joining him on his famous extreme weather fishing trips. I'm not sure I'm that obsessed with fishing yet, though I might be. For now I'm happy to keep the wool packed away and enjoy the gorgeous, warm (but not hot) weather we've been blessed with lately.

Saturday we spent most of the day kayak fishing in the marsh.

It can be a bit tricky to manage the boat in the wind and current and fish at the same time, but I'm getting much better at it. Even though the wind was blowing steadily, I was able to maneuver the boat and hold it where I wanted it most of the time. The fish weren't very active, but were biting just enough to keep it interesting. When we broke for lunch at Spoonbills, we didn't have any keepers to brag about...yet.

We returned to the marsh later in the afternoon and paddled down a different channel that brought us to a small lake we had not been to before. I had a good feeling about this place and sure enough, a few casts later I was rewarded with a pretty one.

"Pretty one" is my name for speckled trout. I call it that because it's such an elegant looking fish, so wonderfully designed. Its colors are gorgeous: iridescent green, silver and gold freckled with dark spots. Not only is it pretty, but it's a feisty fish on the hook and exciting to catch.

The day ended with a beautiful sunset and a fish on the stringer. What could be better than that?

How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is a sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number--living things both large and small. ~ Psalm 104:24-25

Cooking Up a Hat

2008-10-03T08:40:00.004-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I showed you some yarn I had John pick out for a hat and asked you for pattern ideas.

There were some good suggestions:

Turn A Square - interesting decreases
Koolhas - lattice cable motif
Habitat - great cables
Fisherman's Watch Cap - perfect name for John, classic styling
Soaring Eagles - really cool!
Mountain Man Hat - rugged, good looking

I liked them all, but it was really more what John wanted that mattered. I had him look through patterns one afternoon and Ascutney Mountain Hat from Green Mountain Spinnery was the winner. I was all set to order it until I realized the shipping would cost more than the pattern. Nope, I couldn't do it. I'd have to see if I could come up with something similar on my own.

This is what I cooked up.

Pattern:
I started with the Cabled Headband from The Knitter's Book of Yarn, picked up stitches around one edge, knit until it seemed right and then finished with decreases inspired by Knit A Square.

Needles: US 7
Yarn: El Coyote Ranch 60% Wool, 40% Mohair
Color: Dark Gray

John tried the hat on last night and said with a smile, "It's just what I wanted."

Since I didn't use any of the light gray yarn, I have a little more "cooking" to do. Maybe something for me...

Green Tee

2008-09-29T05:00:00.000-05:00

I've heard it said life is better outdoors and I agree, especially when the weather is as beautiful as it was this weekend. John and I spent as much time as possible outside with a fishing rod in one hand and a kayak paddle in the other. We also attended a wedding and went to the Astros/Braves game with friends...and I finished my tee.

Pattern: Nothing But a T-Shirt
Yarn: Brooks Farm Yarn Willow
Fiber Content: 70% Superwash Wool, 30% Bamboo
Needles: US 7

Overall, I'm pleased with the way the yarn worked up--not too much pooling or flashing on the front...

...or the back. Pretty good, considering that I took the lazy way out and worked from one skein at a time instead of alternating skeins every couple of rows.

I ran into some trouble with the seaming and I'm not sure I understand what happened. I sewed the sleeve on in the normal way and the seam looked great until I put the sweater on, then it stretched open and really looked awful. I reworked it in places, but it wasn't my stitching that was off, it was just that the yarn had to stretch too much, I suppose. The only way I could figure out to neaten the seam was to add backstitching for strength. That did the trick.

This is a very comfortable sweater and I can see myself wearing it often. I really like the fact that it's easy care too. I washed it in the machine and I even tossed it in the dryer on delicate, though I might not do that every time.

The weatherman is predicting cooler weather this week. Bring it on. I'm ready.

Special Olympics Scarf

2008-09-26T05:00:00.002-05:00

I'm joining Jennifer and many other knitters and crocheters across the country in the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games Scarf Project.

The purpose of this project is to present each athlete that competes in Idaho this winter with a handmade scarf (knit or crochet) as a show of support from the maker of the scarf to the athlete. 5000 scarves will be needed and I'm very happy to be donating this one.

Pattern (CO 21 sts.)
Yarn: Red Heart Worsted Weight
Colors: Delft Blue (0885) and White (0311)
Needles: US 10
Size: 6" x 56"

Anyone can participate, but there are some guidelines that need to be followed. The most important one is that you must use Red Heart Super Saver yarn in two very specific colors--Delft Blue (0885) and White (0311). Did I sense a collective cringe from all the natural fiber lovers out there? Yes, this acrylic yarn is a bit crunchy right from the skein, but it does soften up considerably after it's washed and dried.

Coats and Clark, manufacturers of Red Heart yarn and sponsors of this project, have provided two free patterns for use, but any scarf pattern is fine as long as it uses both colors of yarn. Size recommendation is 4 1/2" x 50", but there is some leeway here it seems. You will find guidelines and mailing instructions here and here. There is also helpful information and discussion on the Raverly group.

There is still plenty of time to get involved in this project. Scarves must be received by January 15, 2009.

S is for Seashells

2008-09-24T05:00:00.001-05:00

I enjoy searching for shells on the beach.

After Ike hit Texas, we went to Matagorda Beach in search of treasures. Though hurricanes are never welcomed, they do bring lots of shells to the coast. In the short time we searched we found a number of nice Lightning Whelks, the state shell of Texas. It's different from other whelks in that the opening is distinctively "left-handed"--it invites your left hand in when you hold it tail down. It is considered a good find on Texas beaches.

Lightning Whelk

Another good find is the Sundial. It's one of my favorites and I've adopted it as my signature shell. I've collected hundreds of them which I display in a wooden bowl on our dining room table. Normally I find light-colored Sundials, but this day I was lucky to find two black ones.

Sundial

The Lettered Olive shells below are considered common finds, but they are the first I've found at Matagorda Beach, so I was really excited.

Lettered Olive

But not nearly as excited as I was when I found the shell below.

Mitchell's Wentletrap

This rare treasure is a Mitchell's Wentletrap! It's not a perfect specimen and it's a little smaller than normal, but I'm convinced that I've identified it correctly. This highly sought after shell was first discovered by Texas naturalist J.D. Mitchell. It's such an uncommon find that I never really believed I would ever find one, though I hoped so.

Additional Source: Shells of the Texas Gulf Coast

This is More Like It

2008-09-22T08:22:00.000-05:00

This weekend was much more typical than last. You could say we're back to normal, except I don't know how many people would agree that we were normal to start with.

Our Friday evening date took us to Matagorda for dinner at Spoonbills and a walk on the beach at sunset. Then off to Palacios for fishing from the First Street Pier, which somehow survived the hurricane even though it was under water during the storm except for the benches at the end. Click here to see a picture of the waves crashing the pier during Ike (6th picture down).

Sunset Behind the Dunes

Saturday after lunch we ended up in Matagorda again. In case you're counting, that makes three trips in a week! By the light of day we could see better how the hurricane changed the beach. It looks to me like erosion from the storm surge has moved the water line closer in and taken out about four feet of the dunes.

We fished at Three Mile Lake, which looks a little different too. It's a bit disconcerting to see so much change all at once. Everything was familiar and strange at the same time. The weather even has a different feel to it. Though the temperatures were high, it didn't feel like summer. Fall has arrived.

Fishing Three Mile Lake

Soon it will be cool enough to wear a sweater. Good thing I'm almost finished with my tee. As you can see, it's in pieces right now.

In Pieces

I have to finish knitting the last sleeve, then work the neck and sew it all up. It won't be long!

Evacuation Vacation

2008-09-19T05:00:00.001-05:00

So how did I spend my time in the Texas Hill Country during Ike?

I had all the time in the world to knit, but I didn't really feel like it. I completed only 17 rows of stockinette stitch on my tee. We bought three movies to watch on DVD, but didn't even open the packages. Our thoughts were elsewhere, so mostly we sat outside and enjoyed our surroundings. The hummingbirds entertained us at the feeders and we listened to reports of the storm on the radio. In the evenings we cooked out on the grill and roasted marshmallows for dessert.

One day we drove into Fredericksburg and while there, I stopped by Stonehill Spinning.

As the sign says, they cater to Rug Hookin', Knittin' and Spinnin'.

The inside of the store is just as charming as the front porch, though I didn't take any pictures to show you.

I browsed for a time, waiting for something to call my name. Right away I knew I wanted to buy one of their aprons. And of course, there was yarn purchased as well. I couldn't decide on anything for me so I had John pick two colors of El Coyote Ranch yarn.

It's a blend of natural colored Rambouillet sheep and Angora goat with a bit of Llama added to the light gray.

He has requested that I cook up a hat for him with this yarn.

Any suggestions?

What About Matagorda?

2008-09-16T11:15:00.000-05:00

Thank you for the concern, prayers and thoughts you extended to us during hurricane Ike. We are home now and all is well--no damage to our house and the electricity is working.

After a busy day of putting everything back to normal at home, we decided to take a drive to Matagorda to see how things fared there.

Our first stop was the launch site for McNab Lake. The water was high. You cannot even see the channel anymore.

The picture below shows how it normally looks.

We were happy to see our favorite restaurant, Spoonbills, is in good shape. Wind damage did not appear to be significant in Matagorda. It fared well in that respect, even better than our town.

In place of the usual Spoonbills sign was this one. It sums up how we all feel about Ike.

On the way to the beach we began to see the results of the tidal surge. It was obvious that the water had come up high enough to cover the road. Lots of debris from the river was left behind. The road had been cleared, but the piles remain.

In some places the debris mounds are taller than me.

Our favorite RV park is closed for now, at least until the debris can be removed.

I was expecting to see some of the same on the beach, but it was clear and clean looking.

However, the surge did damage the dunes. Here you can see how the water cut into them.

All in all, Matagorda is in very good shape. At one point, hurricane Ike was projected to hit Matagorda directly. All the horrible pictures of destruction you've been seeing of Galveston could have been Matagorda, only worse because there is no seawall for protection.

Our town would have been heavily impacted as well. We were very fortunate.

Comfort in the Storm

2008-09-13T14:46:00.004-05:00

All is well with us. We hooked up the travel trailer and escaped to Comfort, Texas on Thursday. The evacuation process went smoothly--no traffic jams like last time. It seems many people decided to stay and ride out the storm.

Sunset

Last night as the sun was setting, I thought of those that stayed behind and said a prayer for their safety. My sister stayed and so did John's brother and family. They both live on the north side of Houston.

We received good reports from both of them this morning. My sister said the wind howled for hours, but her home is in good shape. John's brother was on the "dirty" side of the storm. We've only been able to text message him. He says they are fine, but have downed trees blocking them in on all streets. Neither of them have electricity. We thank God for keeping them safe.

We've also talked to our neighbors that stayed in Needville. There is only minor damage on our street. Our basketball goal was blown over. We've been wanting to take it down anyway, so I don't consider this a loss. A few small tree limbs are down. And power is out on our street, though many in Needville still have electricity.

Moonrise

Hopefully the power will be restored before long. We plan to go home tomorrow if it is.

R is for Run from Ike

2008-09-10T17:30:00.000-05:00

Hurricane Ike is headed for Texas and we've decided to run from him.

Exactly where Ike will hit is still uncertain at this time, but predictions keep moving him closer and closer to the Houston area. Instead of waiting around for a more accurate prediction, we're packing up the travel trailer and heading out in the morning. We feel it's better to err on the side of caution than to wait. And we'd really like to get going early enough to avoid a nightmare evacuation like the one we went through three years ago with hurricane Rita.

I don't think we'll have Internet access while we're on the run. It will probably be next week before I check in, so don't worry if things are quiet on the blog for a time. We will be fine, because we know where to find refuge.

Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

On a Roll

2008-09-10T05:00:00.002-05:00

To say stockinette stitch has a tendency to roll is an understatement in this case.

Let me pin it out so you can see what it is.

It's the back of NBT.

To refresh your memory, I'm knitting this tee with Willow, a superwash wool/bamboo blend by Brooks Farm Yarn.

The yarn is nice to work with. The colors are aligning in a pleasing way. And it looks like this tee it's going to fit me.

Let's hope this roll of good luck continues as I begin knitting the front.

Yarn Fish

2008-09-08T05:00:00.002-05:00

A couple of things happened this weekend that made me realize fishing has become an obsession with me.

Palacios Pier

After an evening of pier fishing on Friday, I slept soundly and dreamed of...you guessed it...fishing. I casted, reeled and caught fish all night in my sleep. When fishing invades your subconscious, that's a sure sign you're hooked.

And not that I needed any more convincing, but Saturday on our way home from an afternoon of fishing, I saw a grouping of clouds that looked exactly like a trout to me.

Trout Cloud

If you can't see the trout in the sky, don't feel bad, it just means you haven't been afflicted with the fishing sickness yet. I blame John for infecting me. He's had it for years.

I already "suffer" with a little obsession called knitting and now I have this one too. Evidently both were working on me Sunday afternoon because I had the need to knit something fishy. I searched Ravelry and came up with this cute little project.

Yarn Fish

Pattern: Fishy Twashi
Yarn: Lily Sugar 'n Cream
Colors: Robins Egg Blue & White
Needles: US 7 (smaller size than the pattern called for)
Size: Approx. 4" x 6"
Changes: Embroidered the eye instead of knitting or crocheting.

This little fish is designed as dish scrubber. It's the size of a regular kitchen sponge. Twashi, I learned, is a Japanese word meaning scrubber or brush. Though intended originally for kitchen use, it can also be used in the bath. Acrylic yarn is recommended for scrubbing dishes, but cotton is the best choice for a washcloth.

There are lots of cute tawashi patterns on Ravelry and even a group called Tawashi Town for fans of these Japanese inspired scrubbies. I had never heard of a tawashi before yesterday. It's funny where an obsession (or two) can take you.

My Go-To Gift

2008-09-05T05:00:00.002-05:00

When I first saw these dishcloths on Renna's blog, I knew I wanted to knit a set for the next wedding shower I was invited to. I got a chance to try the pattern this week.

Pattern: Waffle Knit Dishcloth
Yarn: Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton
Colors: Khaki and Cinnamon
Needles: US 7 (one size larger than recommended)
Size: Aproximately 9" x 9"

I give the pattern and the cloth a big thumbs up! It's a quick knit, has lots of texture (good for scrubbing) and looks great on both the right and wrong side.

A gift card from the couple's choice of stores completes this shower gift. I'll wrap them up together and include a note something like this:
Tracy's Hand Knit Dishcloths
Making Dish Washing Fun For Newlyweds Since 2003

Sunny Skies

2008-09-03T05:00:00.006-05:00

Checking in quickly to say thanks for all the nice comments on my new scarf and to let you know that all is well here with the weather.

Hurricane Gustav did not effect our area, except to churn up the Gulf and cause higher than normal tides. We tried to drive on Matagorda Beach on Monday. The tide was out (I think), but the water was still high enough that it forced us to drive near the dunes where the sand was too fluffy for our four-wheel drive Jeep. We turned around before we got stuck.

Later in the day, beach access was being denied to all but four-wheel drive vehicles and even then they were discouraging people from attempting it. The water was up higher than it was in the morning. We were told that someone was stuck 13 miles down the beach. I'm not sure if they were trapped by the water or if they were stuck in the sand. Either way, it's a long hike out!

I didn't get any pictures of the beach Monday. All the pictures in this post were taken last Thursday. You can see the water was calm and beautiful then--the prettiest I've ever seen it. Monday it was rougher, but not violent. Surfing conditions were favorable and many surfers were there to take advantage of it.

It's proving to be a very active hurricane season, so we'll continue to keep a watchful eye on the Gulf and be prepared to leave if we need to. This is the way of life when you live near the Gulf of Mexico.

Montego Bay Scarf

2008-09-01T05:00:00.000-05:00

Photographed at Turtle Bay, Jensen Point, Texas.

We were up early on Friday morning to say goodbye to Matt and Carly. We decided to take advantage of that fact and drive to Turtle Bay for kayak fishing. We arrived right at sunrise and hurriedly took some pictures of my new scarf before putting the boats in the water.

Montego Bay Scarf
Pattern Source: Interweave Knits Summer 2007 and Ravelry
Yarn: Hand Maiden Sea Silk (70% silk, 30% Seacell)
Color: Rose Garden
Needles: US 8

Project Notes:

This scarf was a breeze to knit and the yarn is a perfect match to the pattern. The only challenge I can see with this scarf is that some knitters may find simple fishnet lace monotonous. I didn't, but I enjoy easy repetitive knitting.

One of my favorite parts of the scarf is the braided fringe. Two hundred strands of yarn, each 12" long are cut before any knitting is started. This sounds tedious, as does the process of braiding each section, but I think it's worth the effort and it's not as much work as it sounds.

After the photo shoot we launched the kayaks and fished. We didn't catch anything we could bring home, but we felt blessed anyway to be spend time together in such a beautiful place.

Q is for Quest

2008-08-29T05:00:00.001-05:00

Our quest was to find some of the geocaches hidden at Matagorda Beach.

The first one we discovered gave us all a good laugh.

Matt and Carly are experienced geocachers. They have a good eye for finding the treasure.

John is still learning....

Here's one for you to try. Can you find the micro-cache hidden on the tank in the picture below? It's small and well camouflaged.

Here's a closer look. It's clearly visible in this picture, if you know what you're looking for.

Did you find it?

Each cache has a logbook to sign, even one this tiny.

Our quest was a success: five out of five caches were found and a good time was had by all.

Weather Talk

2008-08-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's been raining here all week. I'm glad, because we really need the rain and because it seems like more knitting gets done on rainy days. I'm nearly finished with my scarf already and I've started a new project too.

It's the beginning of Nothing but a T-shirt using Brooks Farm Yarn Willow, a light worsted weight superwash wool/bamboo blend. I had a tough time deciding what to knit with this yarn. I tend to be attracted to variegated yarns in the skein and then I never know how to use them to their best advantage. Simple stockinette stitch and casual styling was the way I decided to go and so far I think it's working. The colors are aligning nicely with no major pooling problems.

I'm also happy with how neatly the first hem went in.

Viewed from the Wrong Side

Back to the rain. I'm not sure how it will affect the fishing this weekend, but we'll know soon enough. We're heading out for Matagorda after lunch to try our luck. The lures are packed and ready to go.

One of Every Color

Let's hope the fish are hungry!

If we catch something good, I'll report in on Monday as usual. Otherwise I may wait until later in the week. Matt and Carly are coming for a visit (arrive on Monday) and there won't be much time for blogging or knitting while they are here.

Rain or shine, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Beautiful Yarn, Simple Stitches

2008-08-20T05:00:00.001-05:00

Remember this yarn?

Hand Maiden Sea Silk
Color: Rose Garden

I won it in a random drawing a few months ago. Originally I thought it would become a Swallowtail Shawl, but I wasn't confident there would be enough yardage, though several people on Ravelry seem to have gotten by with one skein. Instead, I've decided to turn it into Montego Bay Scarf.

The fishnet lace pattern is very simple--mindless, even. It's so simple that you wouldn't think there would be any way to mess it up. I suppose that's the pitfall of mindless knitting. See all the yarn wrapped around the ball?

That's the amount I had to rip back when I realized I had zigged when I should have zagged. I was about three inches away from my mistake when I noticed it. It wasn't a big deal, but I'm paying better attention now--reading my stitches instead of letting my mind wander too much.

This scarf is growing at a steady pace and I'm enjoying it. Right now it's the only thing I'm working on, though that's always subject to change.

Lifetime Pair #27

2008-08-18T05:00:00.001-05:00

Another pair finished and ready to wear.

Basic Sock (Priscilla Gibson-Roberts Style)
Stitch Pattern: Garter Rib (Rnd 1: K2, p2. Rnd 2: K)
Needles: US 1 DPNs
Yarn: Happy Feet by Plymouth Yarn Co.
Color: 4

You can also find a pattern for socks like these in Sensational Knitted Socks. Garter rib stitch is simple and works well for socks for both guys and gals. This pair is for me, but the next pair will be for John.

I leave you with one picture from Friday evening's paddle in the kayak.

Sunset in the Marsh

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
~Psalm 84:11

P is for Pelican

2008-08-15T05:00:00.001-05:00

It's not always easy to photograph a pelican up close. However, this one was very cooperative.

And so were these.

Sometimes I can sneak up on them in the kayak without spooking them, but I'm limited by the zoom on my pocket camera (I'm not brave enough to take the good camera out on the water).

Most of the time they fly away before I can get very close. And even with a decent telephoto lens, they are too far away to capture much detail.

There was one pelican in the flock that stayed behind so I tried to get closer.

But eventually he sensed my presence.

That's close enough.

See ya!

Thinking Ahead

2008-08-13T05:00:00.001-05:00

As summer winds down, I find myself thinking of the season ahead, which is why I suppose I got the urge to knit up a few pumpkins. I might be rushing things, but not by much. Fall is only a little over a month away.

Miniature Felted Pumpkins

The pattern, Miniature Felted Pumpkin, is one I came up with a couple of years ago. It's a quick knit on double pointed needles. Many people are surprised by the pre-felted shape, but never fear, a pumpkin it will become.

Before Felting

The yarn I used for these three pumpkins is (left to right): Cascade Pastaza-Burnt Orange, Monos del Uruguay-Persimmon, Brown Sheep Lanaloft-Orange Confection.

I suggest knitting several and felting them all at the same time. My method of machine felting is detailed in the pattern instructions. These shrink quickly, so check on them every five minutes until you get the look you want.

After Felting

It's not until stuffing is added and sections are created with lengths of yarn that these oval pouches look anything like a pumpkin. A knitted stem is the final touch.

It doesn't take much yarn to make one of these pumpkins, so it's a great project for left over bits and pieces of yarn you have no idea what to do with. I've used traditional pumpkin colors for mine, but any color goes. Check out the Ravelry Project Gallery for inspiration.

Think ahead and start knitting for fall.

Morning in the Marsh

2008-08-11T05:00:00.004-05:00

It was early--very early.

Somehow John convinced me to wake up at 4:00 a.m. on Saturday to go fishing in the marsh. We left the house at 4:30, arrived in Matagorda at 5:30 and launched the kayaks right around 6:00. There was just enough light in the sky for us to see where we were going without the aid of a flashlight.

Paul, John's brother, was with us. He got his boat and gear ready before we did, so we bid him good luck as he paddled off. We told him we'd meet him later at McNab Lake. John and I didn't rush the one mile paddle to the lake, but stopped to fish the oyster reefs along the way and enjoy the sunrise over the marsh.

The marsh is a beautiful and mysterious place in the early morning light. Sitting low in the kayak, all you can see is cord grass, sky and water. We were lucky to be shaded by clouds early on, but later the sun broke through with its full force and the heat began to build.

When we finally arrived at the lake we heard Paul whistling for us and calling for help. At first, we thought he was in trouble, but as we got closer, we saw his rod bent nearly in half and realized the help he needed was in landing a whopper of a fish.

Now this is a fish story that John and Paul tell much better than I ever could, so if you're interested in such things, you can check out their blogs. The landing involved a lengthy kayak tow to the far shore, some quick work with the net and above all, endurance and determination of man over beast. The catch was an alligator gar with an estimated weight over 40 pounds and a length of 43 inches.

We fished until about 11:30 and those leaving with fish for supper were the ones with the most experience. Paul brought home two redfish and John caught a flounder and a redfish. The only thing red in my boat was the sock I brought along to take a picture of. I've delayed starting this second sock for about a month. This week I'll try to complete the pair.

The paddle back to the launch-site was hard work against the current and by this time of day it was extremely hot. I have a tendency to overheat easily and though I'd been careful to stay hydrated, it wasn't enough. As we were loading the kayaks and gear, I realized I'd gotten too hot. John and I had to cut our day in Matagorda short and head home so I could recuperate. It was disappointing to say the least, but we made up for it on Sunday after church with a return trip for lunch at Spoonbills and a drive on the beach...this time in the comfort of an air-conditioned Jeep.

Hot Off the Needles

2008-08-08T05:00:00.001-05:00

A new batch of Curly Purly Soakers is finished!

Curly Purlys in a Row

Left to Right:
Lion Wool-Midnight Blue, Lion Wool-Winter White, Lion Wool-Cadet Blue, Cascade 220-Summer Sky, Cascade 220-Lime Heather

It's hard to beat this pattern--cute, quick to knit and fits well. My favorite way to knit them is to omit the short-row shaping and add 1/2" to the length. My friend was excited when I delivered them to her on Wednesday night.

A few weeks ago she expressed an interest in learning to knit, so I decided to look for a soaker pattern that would be well suited to a brand new knitter. Curly Purly might be considered beginner friendly to some, if you leave out the short rows, but it requires three different sizes of circular needles and a set of double pointed needles. That's a lot of money to invest in needles to start with, especially if you're not sure knitting is something you will even enjoy.

I found a pattern I thought would be better for a beginner and decided to test knit it.

1932 Ribbed Soaker

Pattern: 1932 Ribbed Soaker Pattern
Yarn: Cascade 220-Sage Heather
Needles: US 5 straight (and DPNs optional)

The design is simple: knit a long strip of 2x2 ribbing and sew along the sides leaving an opening for the legs.

Omitting the eyelet row and I-cord would make this soaker even easier for a beginner.

It is completely optional, as are the leg cuffs. I picked up the stitches for the cuffs after the body was sewn together and knit them in the round on DPNs. However, the stitches could be picked up and knit flat before seaming if you prefer.

The only drawback to this soaker is that it seems to take forever to knit. A new knitter might lose interest before it's finished. I almost did, but I kept slogging along until I reached the end...perhaps a simple baby bib is a better project to learn on.

Knitted Sheep

2008-08-06T05:00:00.001-05:00

Small in size. Big on texture. This knitted sheep has it all--cables, twists, seed stitch and bobbles.

It's a sampler of sorts and that's what I love about it.

Pattern: Petite Sheep by Melanie Elizondo
Purchased At: Black Sheep Wool Co. for $4.00
Yarn: Dalegarn Heilo
Colors: Natural and Charcoal Gray
Needles: US 3 DPNs
Size: Small (4" tall x 6" in length)

I'd recommend this project to knitters with intermediate skills. It's involved, but because it's small, it can be finished relatively quickly. I spent three evenings on the knitting and saved the sewing and stuffing for the daylight hours. The finishing, by the way, is minimal--only two seams along the belly.

This was the first project I've ever knit that has bobbles and I really loved making them.

I changed the way the legs are finished. Instead of using the recommended U-bolt in each leg, I use chenille covered wires (pipe cleaners)--bent into a U-shape--two for each set of legs. This gives the legs structure like the bolt, without being heavy and floppy.

If you want a copy of this pattern, you will need to contact Black Sheep Wool Company. I believe this pattern is exclusive to their shop.

To give you a size perspective, I took a picture of the sheep with a knitting/sheep themed gift my neighbor gave me for taking care of her house while she was out of town.

Cottage Creations Pattern Books, Wool Wash,
Sheep Towel, Sheep Tape Measure

She's not a knitter, but she knows what I like!

The Fish Weren't Biting...

2008-08-04T05:00:00.002-05:00

...but it was a wonderful weekend anyway because our daughter was home for a visit!

Robyn wanted to try kayaking for the first time. We put the boats in at Three Mile Lake for a paddle on Saturday, but it was so hot, we abandoned that pretty quickly in favor of relaxing on the beach.

Relaxing With a Book and Keeping Cool

That turned out to be a good idea. The breeze across the water kept it cool enough for us to enjoy being outside, even on one of the hottest days of the year. Summer is our extreme season for weather. Right now, we are in a hurricane watch as tropical storm Edouard heads our way. If it should become a hurricane, we will evacuate, so don't worry about us.

While Robyn was here, I asked her to teach me a few crochet basics. I want to learn to crochet so I can make the flowers in Crochet Bouquet, a new book written by my friend, Suzann Thompson. Robyn started me out with a pattern called Simple Five. I crocheted a few of these sweet flowers with varying degrees of success. I definitely need more practice.

Learning to Crochet

As we thumbed through the book, I noticed Robyn's eyes light up at all the interesting flower designs in this book. There are about 50 different patterns for flowers and foliage. Each pattern is rated with a skill level, so it's easy to know which ones are suitable for beginners like me. I could tell Robyn was itching to try some of the more detailed flowers, so I returned to my knitting and encouraged her to test out a few of the ones she liked. She worked from my stash of Cotton-Ease and came up with these.

Pretty Flowers

The pansy and the daffodil are her favorites. She gave Suzann's designs and directions a big thumbs up. If you like to crochet, you'll really enjoy this book.

Crocheted Daffodil

Those of you living in the Houston area will be interested to know that Suzann Thompson will be at Yarntopia on August 21 from 5-7 p.m. signing books and demonstrating some of her crochet flower techniques. Visit Suzann's book blog for more information.

I hope to improve my crochet skills by then. I'd love to be able to show Suzann a few flowers that I crocheted myself.

O is for Oleander

2008-08-01T05:00:00.002-05:00

I was afraid of oleander shrubs when I was young.

The house I grew up in had an oleander in the backyard. I think the blossoms were red, but I'm not sure. The one thing I vividly remember though was that this shrub was off limits and we were not allowed to play near it. Oleander is poisonous if ingested and my parents didn't want to take any chances. I was convinced from their warnings that just touching the leaves was dangerous.

It's not surprising then to learn that I've never been a big fan of this shrub...until recently. I've noticed it's used a lot in landscaping in Matagorda and Palacios. It seems to grow effortlessly on the Texas Gulf coast and looks great in a beach setting. In my dreams I see myself living in a house near the beach one day with an oleander in the backyard. Hey, it could happen.

One Skein is Enough

2008-07-30T05:00:00.001-05:00

One skein of yarn (220 yards) and four days is all it took to knit Morning Surf Scarf.

I'm sure you'll forgive me for not modeling it properly at the beach. It's just a bit too warm for wool around the neck right now.

Pattern: Morning Surf Scarf
Cast On Stitches: 36
Yarn: Cascade 220 Paints
Color: 9843 Paradise Beach
Needles: US 8

Aggressive blocking resulted in a scarf that measures 7" x 51". Just right!

SSK wanted to know if the stitch pattern is reversible, so I'm adding a picture to show both sides of the scarf.

Left-Front

Right-Back

Kayak Fishing in Matagorda

2008-07-28T05:00:00.003-05:00

Saturday was my first time to fish from a kayak. John suggested we get an early start. "That's when the fish bite," he said. I wondered if this would prove to be true. I had my doubts. After all, he was also the one who said, "The big trout move in after midnight," which we proved false last Monday when we fished until 2:00 a.m. off the 1st Street Pier in Palacios (crazy, I know) and didn't catch one fish we could keep.

Would this fishing trip be worth setting the alarm for 5:00 a.m. on a Saturday? Would it be worth skipping my morning cup of coffee because there are no bathrooms in the marsh?

I should have never doubted him. Shortly after launching the kayaks, I was reeling in my first keeper redfish ever. It was 20" long--just big enough.

John began reeling them in too. Our combined take-home catch for the morning was impressive.

Two 20" Redfish, 18" Trout, 26" Redfish

John hooked the other 20" redfish and the trout...and I caught the 26-incher! This fish was strong. He pulled my kayak all over the place as he fought against the line. I'm told this is referred to as a Texas sleigh ride. I probably couldn't have landed this whopper without some expert coaching from my guide.

I don't know if we'll ever have another trip as successful as this one, but next time John suggests getting up early for kayak fishing, you can bet I'll be the one making sure the alarm clock is set.

Now, on to knitting.

Here's a quick and easy project that really turned out nice. If you know how to knit I-cord, you can make these.

Pattern: Covered Pony Tail Holders by Joan Beebe
Yarn: Cotton Chenille
Needles: US 5 DPNs
Embellishments: Shells I found while beachcombing in Matagorda. They were perfect for this project since they already had holes in them.

Note: The yarn I used for these covers is very inelastic. To help prevent the cover from restricting the elasticity of the band inside, I knit it slightly longer than the band.

Sea Scarf

2008-07-25T05:00:00.002-05:00

My new project is Morning Surf Scarf. I'm using Cascade 220 Paints in a pretty color called Paradise Beach (#9843).

My original intention was to knit this scarf from my own handspun, but I couldn't resist casting on with this yarn. Working on 36 stiches, I will knit until the yarn runs out. I'm crossing my fingers that 220 yards will be enough for a short scarf. I think it will.

Later when the spinning bug bites, I'll spin up a lighter weight yarn for a second Morning Surf Scarf. This is a pattern that I can see myself making multiple times. It lends itself well to all types of yarn and is easy and enjoyable to knit. I especially like dropping the yarn-over stitches and tugging to neaten the loops. I'm not sure why that is so entertaining, but it is.

There are likely to be other sea scarves in my knitting future as well, as I just purchased Ocean Breezes by Sheryl Thies. Included in this book are patterns for 25 knitted scarves, all inspired by the sea.

Her scarf called Sea Foam is very similar to the one I'm knitting now--the same drop stitch design, minus the reverse stockinette "waves" and the addition of a garter stitch edge along the sides. There are several other designs that I like including Starfish on the Beach, Fish Net and Cockleshell Lace. Many are featured on Ravelry.

Tomorrow is Saturday, so you know what that means: we're heading to Matagorda. Some of you expressed concern about the impact of Hurricane Dolly on Matagorda Beach. Fortunately, all is well in our area. We received only a little bit of rain at my house and I expect to find that Matagorda fared about the same.

Have a nice weekend!

While the Kids are Away...

2008-07-23T05:00:00.003-05:00

...the parents will play.

So what's a pair of empty-nesters to do when there's free time on a Monday evening in the summer? Head to Matagorda, of course, for dinner and fishing afterward.

We were encouraged to see that the water was green all the way to the beach and relatively calm. Usually this means conditions are right for catching fish. We worked our way through the maze of fishermen on the big pier, stepping over rods and walking around ice chests waiting to be filled with fish.

The jetty is where we decided to try out luck. It's not always calm enough to walk out on the rocks, but today the waves were gentle.

John rigged me up with a new lure. We just knew it was going to catch something.

After an hour of fishing...not one bite. That's my limit in the patience department when it comes to fishing. John is more optimistic, thinking the next cast will surely get a fish, so he continued to try. I gave up and sat down to enjoy the remainder of the day.

We refused to be defeated however, so we packed up our gear and took the long way home...by way of the 1st Street Pier in Palacios. Fishing under the lights proved to be better. Between the two of us, I suppose we caught about 100 fish. Most were sand trout (we don't keep these) and an occasional speckled trout (good eating). I blame those almost-big-enough specs for keeping us out way past our bedtime. John has always told me fishing is a sickness, I now know firsthand what he means.

It's no worse than being obsessed with knitting though and since that's the main focus of this blog, here's an update on the yarn from the other day.

My friend wasn't interested in Orange Confection or Paradise Beach for soakers, so both skeins are mine for the keeping. I wasted no time in starting a new project with Paradise Beach. Details next time.

Let's Go Yarnin'

2008-07-21T05:00:00.002-05:00

This weekend was packed full of activities. It included a wedding rehearsal and dinner on Thursday night for John's nephew, late night fishing off the 1st Street Pier in Palacios on Friday, a bridal shower on Saturday morning for a couple from church, visiting with John's sister and family (from Massachusetts) on Saturday afternoon and then the wedding and reception that night.

The wedding was in Conroe which is on the north side of Houston--the same side of town as my favorite yarn shop, Twisted Yarns. Since it's about 1 1/2 hours from our house...and we were going to be in the area anyway...we should stop in for yarn, don't you think? Our schedule was tight, but I promised John I could get in and out quickly as all I really needed was some Cascade 220.

It's time to knit soakers in the next bigger size for my friend's baby and I was on a mission to find yarn in specific colors. She had already bought these pretty colors of Lion Wool at Hobby Lobby.

Midnight Blue, Cadet Blue, Winter White

But she really wanted something in baby blue and lime green, so I said I'd check TY to see what they had. I found what she wanted plus a couple of other colors I liked. If these don't work for her, I'll keep them myself.

Cascade 220
Paradise Beach, Summer Sky, Lime Heather

Brown Sheep Lanaloft
Orange Confection

I wish I'd had more time to browse at TY. All I could manage though, was a quick glance around while John paid for the yarn. Right away my eye caught sight of two Morning Surf Scarves on display. I have plans to make this scarf and now that I've seen it in person, I'm anxious to get started. (If you're interested in this pattern, but don't want to register to get it, you can print it from here or find it in the Summer 2008 issue of Spin Off.)

I also saw and tried on the store model of Circle Vest (Ravelry link). I had a copy of the pattern in my purse and a whole wall of Noro Silk Garden right in front of me, but no time to make a smart selection on a color. I decided to wait until my next visit, which I have a feeling will be coming up sooner than later. Until then, I have soakers to knit.

Pattern: Curly Purly Soaker
Yarn: Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool
Color: 126 Nature's Brown
Needles: 16" Circular Size US 3, 5, & 7 and US 3 DPNs
Size: Small
Notes: No short rows. Added 1/2" to length.

Modified

2008-07-18T05:00:00.003-05:00

In my search for new hat patterns, I came across an adorable baby hat that I modified to fit a 3-5 pound preemie.

Pattern: Cupcake Hat (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Worsted Weight Cotton/Acrylic
Needles: US 7

The yellow hat was worked per pattern, top-down through round 10. I then knit 4 rounds, worked the moss stitch band for 6 rounds and the ribbing section for about 2 1/4 inches. I'm not a huge fan of knitting a hat from the top down, so I reversed the instructions and made the pink one from the bottom up, casting on 54 stitches and using K2tog for the decreases. The original hat is embellished with several flowers, but I decided a single blossom with a button center was enough.

The next cute hat pattern I found is one of several free patterns from 20 Hats Project.

Pattern: Conehead Baby Hat
Yarn: Worsted Weight Cotton and Cotton/Acrylic
Needles: US 7

This pattern is great just as written, but I decided to make the top more pointy by knitting 5 rounds after the last decrease. I then added a sprout topper like the one Susan B. Anderson demonstrates here.

The pointy top and little sprout add a bit of whimsy to this hat. I get a grin on my face every time I imagine it on the head of a tiny baby.

N is for Nature

2008-07-16T05:00:00.001-05:00

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. ~Romans 1:20

A collection of nature photos:

Sweet Nectar

Sand, Surf, Sky

Texas Sunset

Sea Oats

Face Off

Empty Moth Cocoon

Gull Gathering

Barnacles on Driftwood

Majestic Oak

Thank you, God for your wonderful creation.

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. ~ Genesis 1:31

Beat the Heat at the Beach

2008-07-14T05:00:00.006-05:00

The weatherman calls this time of year July Fry. It's hot. Temperatures are in the upper 90s and the humidity is high, but there is relief at the beach...just be sure to bring your own shade.

Matagorda Beach is our favorite year-round escape destination. You'll find us there every Saturday we have free. Now that summer has arrived, it's also a favorite destination of lots of other folks too. It's only crowded on the first couple of miles of beach though. With four-wheel drive, it's easy to find a spot to yourself if you drive a little farther.

This Saturday we staked our claim just past 3 Mile, marking it with our new Texas flag umbrella and a couple of chairs. Then we settled down to enjoy the afternoon. John pulled out the fishing gear and I took a walk along the shore searching for shells and cooling my heels in the surf along the way.

When I returned, John was catching fish, but only hardhead catfish, so I decided to get out the knitting I brought along.

The shade of the umbrella and the steady breeze blowing across the water kept me cool as I worked on a cotton dishcloth.

I'm knitting up a few of these to have on hand for wedding gifts. A couple of hand-knit dishcloths along with a gift card from the store where the couple is registered is my standard go-to gift.

I was a few rows into my knitting when John began to catch whiting. He encouraged me to join him, so I set down my knitting sticks and picked up my fishing stick. He showed me where to find the fish and gave me a few pointers. A couple of casts later, I caught a fish--not a whiting, but even better, a redfish! And to prove it wasn't beginner's luck, I caught another one. They were too small to keep, but they earned me bragging rights for this trip.

I never did get back to my knitting.

Pattern: Ballband Dishcloth
Yarn: Peaches and Cream (Red, Black, Licorice),
Yarn: Lily Sugar 'n Cream (Light Blue, White, Sea Mist)
Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm)

Red, White and Blue

2008-07-11T05:00:00.002-05:00

You've probably already figured out that knitting for preemies is a passion of mine. I never get tired of it. There is nothing more rewarding than using your talents to serve others. Try it and see what I mean.

Made in America

Yarn: Worsted weight in red, white and blue (I used Bernat Satin).
Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) DPNs
Gauge: 5 sts/inch
Size: Preemie

Cast on 48 sts. Divide stitches on three needles. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.

1-5: K1, p1 (red)
6-10: K (white)
11: K (blue)
12: K (alternate 1 st. blue, 1 st white, beginning with blue)
13: K (blue)
14: K (alternate blue and white, beginning with white)
15-17: Repeat rnds 11-13
18-22: K (white)

Decreases (red):
*K6, K2tog, repeat from *
*K5, K2tog, repeat from *
*K4, K2tog, repeat from *
*K3, K2tog, repeat from *
*K2, K2tog, repeat from *
*K1, K2tog, repeat from *
*K2tog, repeat from *
6 stitches remain.

Cut yarn, leaving tail, and pull through remaining stitches.
Pull tail to the inside and weave in all ends.

I hope the hats and patterns I've shared this week will inspire you to knit your own red, white and blue creations. Start with this basic recipe and plug in a design of your own.

I'd love to see what you come up with.

Flag Hats

2008-07-09T05:00:00.001-05:00

The United States flag was the inspiration for this hat.

Stars and Stripes Preemie Hat

Yarn: Worsted weight in red, white and blue (I used Bernat Satin).
Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) DPNs
Gauge: 5 sts/inch
Size: Preemie

Cast on 48 sts. Divide stitches on three needles. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.

1-5: K1, p1 (blue)
6: K (blue)
7: K (alternate 1 st. blue, 1 st white, beginning with blue)
8: K (blue)
9: K (alternate blue and white, beginning with white)
10-12: Repeat rnds 6-8
13-14: K (red)
15-16: K (white)
17-18: K (red)
19-20: K (white)
21-22: K (red)

Decreases (blue):
*K6, K2tog, repeat from *
*K5, K2tog, repeat from *
*K4, K2tog, repeat from *
*K3, K2tog, repeat from *
*K2, K2tog, repeat from *
*K1, K2tog, repeat from *
*K2tog, repeat from *
6 stitches remain.

Cut yarn, leaving tail, and pull through remaining stitches.
Pull tail to the inside and weave in all ends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday I had another idea for a flag hat.

Flag Pin Preemie Hat

Knit a preemie hat in the color of your choice using this pattern or one of your favorites.
Embellish it with a knitted Flag Pin, a free pattern from Vogue Knitting.

Yarn: Bernat Satin Worsted Weight (hat), Omega Sinfonia Sportweight (flag)
Needles: US 7 (hat), US 1 (flag)

Patriotic Preemie Hats

2008-07-07T06:42:00.012-05:00

The fireworks were flashing this weekend.

And the needles were flying. While visiting with my parents, I was able to knit up several patriotic preemie hats. A few of the patterns are worth sharing. I'll be posting them one at a time this week.

Today's free pattern:

Born in the USA

Yarn: Worsted weight in red, white and blue (I used Bernat Satin).
Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) DPNs
Gauge: 5 sts/inch
Size: Preemie

Cast on 48 sts. Divide stitches on three needles. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.
K1, p1 for 5 rnds (red)
K for 3 rnds (red)
K for 2 rnds (white)
K for 9 rnds (blue)
K for 2 rnds (white)
K for 3 rnds (red)

Decreases (red):
*K6, K2tog, repeat from *
*K5, K2tog, repeat from *
*K4, K2tog, repeat from *
*K3, K2tog, repeat from *
*K2, K2tog, repeat from *
*K1, K2tog, repeat from *
*K2tog, repeat from *
6 stitches remain.

Cut yarn, leaving tail, and pull through remaining stitches.
Pull tail to the inside and weave in all ends.

Using white yarn and duplicate stitch, embroider USA on the front of the hat, centered in the blue section. Letters should be 5 sts high and 3 sts wide, with one stitch separating each letter.

Made in America

2008-07-04T05:00:00.002-05:00

Happy Fourth of July! I've been celebrating our national holiday by knitting patriotic preemie hats in red, white and blue.

Normally I think of hats like this only for July, but with the Summer Olympics and the presidential election coming up, I think patriotic colors will be in fashion for the rest of the year.

Later when I have more time, I'll write out the patterns and share them with everyone. Right now, we're off to Louisiana to visit family.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend!

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. ~Abraham Lincoln

M is for Matagorda

2008-07-02T05:00:00.001-05:00

Needville is our home; Matagorda is our playground.

Matagorda Beach

You know about the beach, the fishing and kayaking, but did you know Matagorda is the third oldest town in Texas?

Welcome To Matagorda

Where Texas History Began

Matagorda was established in 1827. Several patriots of early Texas are buried in the Matagorda Cemetery. One is Samuel Rhoads Fisher, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Another is Albert C. Horton, the first lieutenant governor of Texas.

Albert C. Horton

The houses of both of these men are still standing, which is amazing considering the number of hurricanes and tropical storms that have gone through this area. Fisher's house was built in 1832. It is the oldest building in Matagorda. Now fully restored, it operates as the Stanley-Fisher House B&B. John and I plan to stay here some day.

Stanley-Fisher B&B

Other old buildings in town include the old post office (built before 1872) and the old meat market (early 1900s). Recognize the yellow bench on the post office porch?

Old Post Office and Old Meat Market

Christ Episcopal Church is the oldest Episcopal church in Texas. The original building was destroyed by a hurricane in 1854. This building was erected nearby. Some of the materials from the 1841 building were salvaged for use in the new structure.

Christ Episcopal Church

One of the two remaining swing bridges on the Texas coast is in Matagorda. It's been in operation for over 50 years. The Matagorda bridge spans the Intracoastal Waterway connecting the town of Matagorda to Matagorda Peninsula where the beach is. I have never witnessed it, but twice a year since 1919 hundreds of head of cattle are herded across this bridge. In the fall they are driven from inland ranches to coastal grazing land near the beach. In the spring before hurricane season starts, they are driven back.

Matagorda Swing Bridge

The Matagorda Cattle Drive will be a thing of the past with the opening of the new bridge that's being constructed to replace the swing bridge. I've been told there will be one last drive this fall. I would love to see it.

Bridge Construction and Shrimp Boats

There's no telling what other changes this new bridge will bring to the community of Matagorda. No doubt, it will be the start of a new chapter in the history of Matagorda, Texas.

Matagorda History:
Matagorda Area Chamber of Commerce
Matagorda Texas.com
Historical Markers Guide
News Article/Dallas Morning News

Think Like a Blogger

2008-06-30T05:00:00.005-05:00

While taking photos Saturday morning for a post to be featured later this week, I came across an old weathered bench on the front porch of a historical building. I stopped to look at this bench with its peeling yellow paint and rusted cast iron.

At first I was just admiring its rustic charm, but then I began to think like a blogger--seeing the ways this bench could become relevant to my blog. Right away I knew what I needed to do. I walked back to the car to retrieve an item to add to the picture. And now...

...this bench is the perfect backdrop to the
most-difficult-to-photograph sock ever. The second sock of this pair will be cast on in a few days, after I play around with knitting a few preemie hats.

Stitch Pattern: Garter Rib
Yarn: Happy Feet
Color: 4 (Shades of red that tend to glow when photographed!)

Friday's Flowers

2008-06-27T05:00:00.003-05:00

Today's flowers include these pretty blossoms found near John's favorite trout stream in Utah...

Hound's Tongue, Gypsyflower
(Cynoglossum officinale)

...and a blossom of the knitted variety.

Blossom Washcloth and Soap Sack
Pattern: Fiber Trends Bathtime Blossoms
Yarn: Dalegarn Stork, 100% Cotton
Color: 6
Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) Straight

Instructions for two other flower-inspired washcloths and matching soap sacks are also included on Fiber Trends pattern leaflet #224x. The round shape of these cloths is achieved by knitting back and forth in short row wedges. The short rows are very easy to execute--just knit up to a specified point before the end of the row, then turn work. A total of eight connecting wedges make a complete circle. To finish, only one seam needs to be sewn with a whip stitch. The soap sacks are also knitted flat and seamed.

Hound's Tongue

Folklore: Wearing a hound's tongue leaf in your shoe will ward off dog attacks.

Hooked on Matagorda

2008-06-25T05:00:00.002-05:00

We wasted no time in getting back to Matagorda after our trip to the mountains. My sister joined us, along with our nephew who was over for a visit.

The Best Shells Are in the Surf

Dylan found some nice shells and John found some fish.

Uncle John Shows Dylan His Catch

Later, Dylan showed off his fishing skills by landing the largest fish of the day--a 12" black drum. (I'll let John post the fish picture on his blog.)

Showing Us How It's Done

Auntie Elizabeth found the honey hole and caught more fish than anyone.

First Cast

I caught nothing, but I did hook Dylan into posing with the sock I'm knitting.

Not as Big as My Fish

It's grown to just past the heel--almost a keeper.

Debut

2008-06-23T05:00:00.001-05:00

Optic Waves Shawl was finished before our trip and made its debut in the mountains.

Cool Breeze
Moraine Park

Blocking really opened up the stitch pattern. Remember what it looked like before? Now you can actually see the "waves."

Blocked Waves

I wanted a shorter shawl, so I stopped at 23 pattern repeats instead of the recommended 27. The blocked size of my shawl is approximately 22"x64". According to the pattern, the width should have blocked out to 29". I guess my gauge was off, though I thought it was on. No matter, though. It turned out to be a nice size for me.

Optic Waves
Lake Estes

Pattern: Optic Waves Shawl by Shelia January
Source: The Knitter's Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes
Needles: US 8 (5mm)
Yarn: Brooks Farm Yarn Primero, 100% Kid Mohair
Color: Blue (MW K5)

This shawl was specifically designed to take advantage of the characteristics of Brooks Farm Yarn Primero and the pattern is easy enough for a beginning lace knitter.

One last look at the shawl and the mountains.

Enjoying the View

Moraine Park

It's too hot in June to wear a shawl in Texas, but it sure did come in handy in the Colorado high country.

L is for Lake

2008-06-20T05:00:00.001-05:00

A collection of lake photos.

Bear Lake

Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, Colorado

The Loch

Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, Colorado

Dream Lake

Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, Colorado

Lily Lake

Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, Colorado

Lake George

Lake George, New York

Lake Champlain

North Hero, Vermont

Silver Lake

Salt Lake City, Utah

Mirror Lake
High Uinta Mountains
Utah

McNab Lake

Matagorda, Texas

Perhaps you'll find yourself a lake this weekend. Have fun!

Mountaintop Experience

2008-06-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

As wonderful as the Wool Market was, the real reason we were in Estes Park was to experience Rocky Mountain National Park. This was our third visit in four years.

One of our favorite spots in the park is Moraine Park. We put our fishing skills to the the test in the Big Thompson River that snakes its way through here. I wasn't experienced enough to outwit the fish.

But John was able to fool three of them into taking the bait. This was not easy to do because this stretch of the river is heavily fished and everything caught must be released. This beautiful brown trout was the largest of the three he landed.

We saw more elk this time than we ever have before. A herd of about 50 were grazing nearby while we fished. I didn't notice them until I heard the calves calling for their mothers. Look carefully and you'll see them in the foreground of this picture.

Later, as we were driving through the park we saw this magnificent elk. He was causing a traffic jam as everyone was pulling over to take his picture.

Trail Ridge Road took us above the tree line to the snow-capped mountain peaks.

The drifts at the Alpine Visitor Center are still quiet high. And the temperature is still on the cold side. Can you tell I'm shivering?

We didn't catch any fish at Lily Lake to take photos of, but this ground squirrel was kind enough to pose for me.

And this duck swam right by my fishing spot, so I took his picture too.

Everywhere you turn there is something beautiful to see. It's easy to fall in love with this place.

Rocky Mountain National Park is a true mountaintop experience.

Estes Park Wool Market

2008-06-16T05:00:00.001-05:00

The Wool Market officially opened at 9:00 in the morning on Saturday, but John and I got there earlier than that. The picture below shows the setting for the event which is held at the fairgrounds in Estes Park, Colorado.

We decided to check out the animals first. They were housed in barns and tents. There were sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas and angora rabbits. Most of the animals were getting last minute beauty treatments.

I'm not sure I like how this "hairstyle" turned out. The head doesn't seem to match the body.

Next it was on to the vendor area.

Just about everything a fiber fanatic could want was for sale in this one big barn. There were fleeces, roving, spindles, spinning wheels, looms and much more. I looked at some of the fleeces and roving, but I was most interested in yarn.

I tried to walk past the Brooks Farm booth, but the beautiful colors pulled me in as they always do.

And then I made the mistake of touching the yarn. I was goner after that. However, I did show a bit of restraint by waiting until I had shopped all the other vendors before I came back to make my purchase. I didn't want to blow my fiber budget too early, especially since Brooks Farm is a vendor at the festival I usually go to in the fall.

The next booth that caught my attention was Plain & Fancy Sheep & Wool Co. Their yarn is gorgeous. Should I buy this color? Or maybe that one? They are all beautiful.

Right after I made my choice and paid my money, I ran into fellow Texan and blogging buddy, Suzann Thompson and her daughter Eva. It was the first time for us to meet in person, though we've been visiting back and forth on our blogs for about three years. I would have loved to have taken her polymer clay button making class that she taught the day before, but it was filled up by the time I found out I would be at Estes. I'm happy we at least had a chance to talk for a while. Suzann is just as nice as I knew she would be and it was a treat to meet Eva as well. Our meeting was best part of the Wool Market for me.

Our next stop was the sheep dog demonstration. It was interesting and we learned a few things about the training of these dogs.

It was close to lunchtime by now, so we headed over to get some food. John and I tried the lamb kabobs. They were very good. For dessert we had a strawberry banana smoothie. Delicious!

And then we decided it was time to go. I left with an armful of yarn, a Wool Market baseball cap and a smile on my face.

1600 yards Plain & Fancy (100% Wool)
800 yards Brooks Farm Yarn Willow (70% SW Wool, 30% Bamboo)

Colorado

2008-06-12T23:55:00.011-05:00

We arrived in Colorado this afternoon.

The weather is beautiful and we're looking forward to being outside most of the time. Lots of fishing and hiking is planned along with a shopping trip at the Estes Park Wool Market on Saturday. We're here until Monday and then we fly to Salt Lake City.

The sock I started has grown a bit. I took a picture of it at the pond in Longmont where we fished tonight. It's hard to see, but the stitch pattern I'm using is garter rib. It's an easy stitch, just perfect for travel knitting. The yarn is Happy Feet by Plymouth Yarn Co.

I won't be on the computer much this weekend, but I'll check in when I can next week. See you then.

Yarn Cozy

2008-06-11T05:00:00.002-05:00

My travel knitting for our trip to Colorado and Utah will be a pair of socks. As I wound the wool for these socks into center pull balls, I thought of Susan B. Anderson's fruit cozy pattern. She recently suggested that it could double as a yarn cozy. I decided to test it for myself.

She was right. It fits my apple-sized ball of yarn perfectly and will keep it intact in my backpack, no matter how full it gets.

Free Pattern: Pear Apple Cozy
Yarn: Red Heart Sport
Color: 0652 Limeade
Needles: US 5 DPNs

More about the sock next time. Off to finishing packing. We leave tomorrow.

Snippets

2008-06-09T06:43:00.002-05:00

Optic Waves Shawl is progressing nicely. I've added seven pattern repeats. No new picture to show though, because it looks the same as this, only longer.

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I was the lucky winner of the random prize drawing for the Fashionably Late in '08 Clapotis KAL. I chose this gorgeous skein of Hand Maiden Sea Silk (70% Silk, 30% Seacell) in a color called Rose Garden.

The next project for Fashionably Late is Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn Clark. This yarn would be perfect for it, so I may have to knit along. Care to join us?

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I'm still working on striped preemie hats.

I've been donating my hats to Hannah's Knitsters. It's a group at John's office that gets together at lunch to knit for charity. I was able to meet with them last month. I knew a few of the ladies already, but many I met for the first time. Here are some of the early comers posing in front of an impressive display of finished blanket squares, chemo caps and preemie hats.

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Knitting for charity is very rewarding. If you've been thinking of doing some knitting for others, now is a good time to get started.

Michelle is running a contest for the next ten weeks. For every preemie hat, bunting or blanket you knit and donate, your name will be added to a drawing. Details here.

Looking for a place to donate these baby items? Emmazing Grace Foundation is in the midst of their third annual donation drive.

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This week I'm traveling with John to Salt Lake City on a business trip, but first we're stopping in Estes Park, Colorado for a mini vacation that will include hiking and fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park...

...and shopping at the Estes Park Wool Market!

K is for Kayak

2008-06-06T05:00:00.004-05:00

John gave me a kayak for Christmas. I named it Matagorda Bluebird.

His kayak is named Spot after the spot on the tail of a redfish. We enjoy exploring the estuaries, bays, lakes and beaches of Matagorda, Texas in our boats.

John has his boat rigged up for fishing, with every conceivable device known to a kayak fishermen, except a GPS fish finder, which will be coming one day, I'm sure.

I take a simpler approach and pack lightly, usually bringing water, snacks, camera and sometimes a sock on the needles...you know, just in case.

We recently paddled our kayaks across the mouth of the Colorado River to the beach on the other side. We call it The Wild Beach. The fishing proved to be good off the jetty and I had the entire beach to myself to search for shells. Without our kayaks, we wouldn't have been able to get there as it is not accessible by car.

We've had lots of fun kayaking together and I look forward to many more paddle trips in the future. This is possibly the best Christmas present John has ever given me...although, there was that spinning wheel the year before...

Curly Purly Soakers

2008-06-04T05:00:00.001-05:00

I knit two more soakers for my friend at church.

I read on one of the Ravelry groups that it's good to have 5-6 soakers in each size. The addition of these two bring the total I've knit to five in the newborn size. I gave them to my friend last week and she was thrilled.

It turns out I finished just in time too. On Monday, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy weighing just over eight pounds. I probably better get started on some larger sizes.

The Curly Purly Soaker Pattern

16" circulars US 3, 5 & 7 and US 3 DPNs

Patons Classic Wool Merino in Denim Marl

Nature Spun Worsted Weight in Salmon

and

Lion Wool in Midnight Blue

An Old Friend

2008-06-02T05:00:00.001-05:00

I aired out Optic Waves Shawl at the beach this weekend.

It hasn't been out of the knitting bag since early May, but I intend to reacquaint myself with this project starting today. I suspect it will be like getting together with an old friend after being apart for a long time--a few awkward pauses in the beginning, but then quickly back to comfortable conversation.

I'm halfway through the recommended 27 repeats, though I may stop before that. Knit to size, this shawl will be 80" in length, which is probably too long for my 5' 4" height.

Time to go break the ice with my old friend, picking up the conversation right where we left off: repeat 14, row 1 of 12.

Before I leave though, a few pictures from the weekend.

West Jetty

Pool at Low Tide
or
Very Large Shoe Print

Setting Sun

Successful Fisherman in Silhouette

Almost a Match

2008-05-30T05:00:00.001-05:00

You may recall I ran into a couple of snags with these socks: a stripe that was short changed in the dye process and a break in the yarn. This required a bit of extra work on my part to get the stripes back in sync.

The right way to fix the problem would have been to back up to the spot where the color began to veer off track and rejoin the yarn in the correct sequence. I didn't feel like tinking back though, so I guesstimated how much wider to make the stripe I was on to get the rest of the stripes below that point to match. Looking back, this was risky and could have turned into more work than just fixing it the right way in first place, but luck was on my side. The stripes match perfectly in all but this one spot.

My Almost Matched Socks
Yarn: Online Supersocke 100 (45% Cotton, 40% Wool, 15% Nylon)
Color: Summer Color 793
Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm) DPNs

This basic sock is knit on 64 stitches and features a 1x1 ribbed cuff, stockinette leg and foot and my favorite short-row heel and toe.

And though I had some trouble with this particular skein of yarn, I still recommend it for warm weather socks. The cotton/wool blend is just right for my climate.

Also, it's the only sock yarn I've ever knit with that can stand up to machine washing and machine drying. That's a big plus when it comes to a pair of summer socks.

Using Up the Leftovers

2008-05-28T05:00:00.001-05:00

After I knit these booties, I searched Ravelry to see what I could do with the left over yarn. I came across this quick and useful project.

Pattern: Water Web (free) by Amie Gavin Glasgow
Yarn: Tahki Cotton Classic
Color: Blue 3818
Needles: US 6 DPNs

One thing that threw me a little about the pattern is the use of the asterisks in row 1. They are used instead of quotation marks to emphasize this part of the instructions, not as an indicator to repeat the actions contained within. I didn't realize that at first and kept wondering why I couldn't get the stitches to work right. It took me a while to figure it out, but after that everything went smoothly including the decrease section.

I ended up using every inch of left over yarn, so naturally I needed to replace it with more.

A stash of Tahki Cotton Classic is born!

Family Photo Album

2008-05-26T06:59:00.006-05:00

This weekend, John and I traveled to Oklahoma to visit our son Matt and celebrate his 20th birthday. We stopped in Fort Worth on the way to pick up our daughter Robyn. Her husband, James, couldn't come because of work and we sure have missed him. Matt's girlfriend, Carly, was able to join us after work on Saturday.

We've had fun, but now it's time to say goodbye. Usually after a visit like this, I get home and realize we forgot to take pictures of everyone. But, this time I have several nice shots to add to the family photo album.

John

Carly

Me and Robyn

Matt--The Birthday Boy

J is for Jetty

2008-05-23T05:00:00.003-05:00

The jetty in Matagorda, Texas on a peaceful day.

A long pier leads to the huge slabs of granite that break the waves before they reach the shore.

Birds often congregate on the calm side of the jetty in Matagorda.

Though this jetty is the one we visit most often, I've seen and photographed several other jetties on our travels.

Walking the jetty in Port Aransas, Texas just before sunset.

Moss covered jetty in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Fishing from the jetty in Freeport, Texas.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Knot Again

2008-05-21T05:00:00.001-05:00

I brought a couple of knitting projects to Matagorda to work on just in case it rained or got too hot during the day to be outside. As it turned out, the rain fell at night and temperatures were cooler than normal for this time of year, so only a few inches were added to the second sock of a pair I started some time ago.

The plan is for the stripes on these socks to match.

I've learned to take good notes on the first sock in order to achieve matched stripes on the second one. It's important to know exactly where to cast on in the color sequence and where to start the heel and the toe. Once the second sock is cast on correctly, everything usually falls into place, though I make sure to check the stripes as I knit especially at the heel and toe.

This time when I compared stripes just before the heel, I discovered a problem with the yarn. It appears something happened in the dyeing process and one section of blue is not as long as it should be. See where the red stripe (on the needle) is starting too early?

And then I ran into another snag--a break in the yarn.

Looks like I may need to revise my matching stripe plan.

Every Day's a Vacation...

2008-05-19T07:20:00.006-05:00

in Matagorda, Texas.

John and I had a great time last week. We both agree it was our best vacation ever. We camped in our travel trailer at Matagorda Bay RV Park on the Colorado River, just a stone's throw from the Gulf of Mexico.

Each day I took a nice long walk on the beach. It's fascinating to me how it's always the same, yet ever changing. Here's what I mean:

Monday Morning

Tuesday Morning

One day we kayaked over to what we call The Wild Beach. It's just across the mouth of the river from our campsite. The only way to get to it, as far as I know, is to swim there or boat over. Besides us, there were only two surfers there that day and they weren't interested in searching for shells, so we had the place all to ourselves for beach combing.

We found some really nice whelks (some bigger than my hand) and this large murex.

The rest of our vacation was spent fishing. I even fished this time. I like to catch fish, but I will not take them off the hook because I'm afraid of getting poked by the fins. This makes me a burden to bring on a fishing trip, but John assured me he wouldn't mind at all. He bought me my own rod and reel and taught me everything he knows about fishing.

We caught lots of fish--about 20-25 apiece each day. Some were too small to keep and some we wouldn't eat, so most went back into the water. I picked out just a few of mine to show you.

Biggest Fish: 20" Gafftopsail Catfish

Smallest Fish

Yes, he's really hooked. I had a bigger fish on the line, but he got away. This guy was probably something he had just eaten.

Prettiest Fish: Mangrove Snapper

16" Speckled Trout

This one was a keeper. In fact, he will be supper tonight.

So, that's the abbreviated version of our week long vacation in Matagorda. Next time I'll show you the little bit of knitting I did while we were there.

Gone Fishin'...

2008-05-12T07:48:00.003-05:00

and camping in Matagorda this week.

I'm taking a break from the computer on this vacation.

Regular blogging will return next Monday. See you then.

Have a great week!

I is for Ice Cream

2008-05-09T05:00:00.002-05:00

Yum!

A few ice cream memories:

*My granddaddy ate ice cream every evening--vanilla ice cream in a cone. He was never overweight. It's the only thing I ever saw him "cook" in the kitchen, though he said he knew how to make a good fried egg sandwich.

*I remember helping Dad make homemade ice cream the old fashioned way. My sisters and I would take turns sitting on the blanket-covered ice cream maker to weight it down while Dad cranked the handle. And when the ice cream was cranked as much as it could be cranked, we'd get our first taste right from the dasher.

*Growing up, we always had a big plastic tub of Borden French Vanilla Ice Cream in our freezer. I don't remember any other flavors, though we often had fresh fruit or chocolate syrup for toppings. Mom bought a set of banana split dishes so we could have banana splits at home, just like the ones she used to make when she worked at the drive-in as a teenager.

*I liked the buckets the ice cream came in as much as the ice cream. I think they were gallon-sized or maybe larger, with a tight fitting lid and a red handle. We saved them to use for other things, like berry picking and trick-or-treating at Halloween. They could sure hold lots of dewberries and candy.

*John and I took our kids on a trip to Vermont and stayed at a B&B that stocked the freezer with Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. The kids loved the fact that you could go to the kitchen anytime you wanted and eat ice cream. Unfortunately, we had to cut our stay short because the well water in the house smelled strongly of sulfur. When you nearly pass out from the foul odor each time you take a shower, it's time to move along, even if the ice cream is good.

One of the perks of this post was getting to eat the prop after the pictures were taken...and...well...it took a few tries until I got just the right shots...

Yum!

Foolproof

2008-05-07T05:00:00.001-05:00

All I have today is one tiny hat, but it's a new pattern for me and has never been featured on Wool Windings before.

Pattern: Foolproof Baby Hat by Clara Parkes
Source: The Knitter's Book of Yarn
Needles: US 7 straight
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease
Color: Pistachio (discontinued)
Size: Preemie 3-5 lbs

The stitch pattern in this hat is mistake rib--a simple stitch with plenty of texture and a fair amount of stretch which works well for a hat.

The original hat has a folded brim, but I decided I didn't need the extra bulk for my preemie version. I also went down one needle size to reduce the circumference.

This hat is knitted flat and seamed, though the stitch pattern can be adjusted to work in the round. Find out how here (Ravelry link) and see a two-color version of this hat being worn by the cutest model ever. I promise it will put a smile on your face...and you might just have to knit your own Foolproof Baby Hat.

A Cotton Classic

2008-05-05T06:00:00.001-05:00

Knitted, photographed, wrapped and gifted. All that's left to do now is blog about these cute little shoes.

These Boots Are Made for Walkin'

Pattern: Boy's Booties from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms
Yarn: Tahki Cotton Classic (100% Mercerized Cotton)
Color: 3818 Blue
Needles: US 6 (4mm) straight
Size: 0-3 months

Twisted Cord Tie

I like the way these booties are constructed. They are knitted flat, then folded in half and sewn together with one seam. When I cast on, I leave a long tail of yarn to use later for sewing. Starting at the top, I sew my way down the back and across the bottom of the sole. This is opposite the direction you are supposed to go, but it works for me. Also, the pattern recommends sewing the seam with right sides together, but I get better results with wrong sides together, using mattress stitch for the back and a whip stitch for the sole.

Garter Stitch Sole

The seam line on the right shoe isn't quite as neat as the one on the left, but I think that has less to do with the sewing of the seam and more to do with the knitted stitches on the edge of the seam being a little loose. Most likely the stitches will even out when these booties are washed, but I didn't have time for that.

Back Seam

These little booties were wrapped and whisked away to a baby shower almost as soon as they came off the needles. All I have now are the pictures and enough left over yarn to knit another pair or two.

Look for me to begin a stash of Tahki Cotton Classic. It really is as nice as I had heard. And you can't beat the selection of colors.

Hannah's Hats

2008-05-02T07:15:00.003-05:00

I knit three hats for preemies this week.

One in two shades of blue-green.

A very bright one in hot pink and white with a few rows of orange.

And one that is mostly soft yellow with blue accents.

On Wednesday, I'm meeting with Hannah's Knitsters for lunch and knitting and to deliver these hats and others I've recently made. I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone in the group and sharing some knitting time together.

A Gift from Aquiles

2008-04-30T06:58:00.006-05:00

We are having a good visit with Matt and Carly. It's the first time we've seen them since they went on a mission trip to Mexico at Spring Break and of course, we've been asking lots of questions about their experience.

The Edmond Church of Christ took over 200 people, many of them OC college students, to the Aquiles Serdan Valley to serve the church there and the people living in Aquiles and surrounding villages. Just thinking about the logistics of getting everyone there is mind boggling. The group drove down from Oklahoma in rented vans, bringing with them food for the week, water, tents and teaching materials.

They set up their tent city in Aquiles. From what I hear, this is a remote village in a mountain valley. The people that live there are subsistence farmers. They have very little compared to us. In fact, they just got electricity about three years ago, but it is unreliable at best.

The group from Edmond was able to serve the people in a variety of ways: construction projects, painting, dentistry, insect extermination and Bible teaching. The people were very appreciative of all the good work done, but it was the workers that received the greatest gift from serving.

One of the highlights of the trip for Matt and Carly was the day they hiked two hours to a village on the top of the mountain and helped to conduct a Vacation Bible School for the children. A guide led the way to the village and a burro was used to carry teaching materials and craft supplies that would be needed.

On the night before the group was to leave Mexico, the local ladies brought out their needlework and offered it for sale. Matt and Carly selected a beautiful crocheted doily for me. It is a nice large size, measuring about 21 inches across. I immediately felt a connection to the ladies of Aquiles when I received this gift. I do not speak Spanish and they do not speak English, but we have in common a language of another sort.

I'm posting a video of the trip to Mexico especially for family and friends of the family that visit this blog, but you may be interested to watch also. Matt is the first person on the video after the opening. You'll recognize him by his red hair.

Optic Waves

2008-04-28T07:30:00.001-05:00

My knitting is still focused on the Optic Waves Shawl. It has grown one or two pattern repeats each day, though that might not happen this week since our son, Matt, and his girlfriend, Carly, are here for a visit.

The shawl is seven repeats along in this photo taken on Friday at the beach.

Each pattern repeat consists of twelve rows worked over 101 stitches. Only four of these rows include increases and decreases. And to make it even easier, those four rows are exactly the same each time. The other eight rows are either knit or purl (with a few knit stitches on the edge), making this shawl a good project for someone knitting lace for the first time.

It's been a couple of weeks since our last trip to beach. The sky was overcast and rain was threatening, but I didn't mind. We've been visiting Matagorda Beach for about a year now and have come to love this stretch of surf and sand, no matter the weather.

This time of year there is a lot seaweed that gets wash onshore. I believe it is called Sargassum weed. Here someone used it to help hold together what I think is a support for a makeshift tent.

Along with the seaweed, the tide had also washed up a large number of Portuguese Man-of-War. I was concerned that John might get stung as he was wade fishing, but he never saw any in the water.

As I continued beach combing, I came across a plastic leg from a Barbie-type doll. I don't know why, but I took a picture of it. And since I did, I'll show it to you.

You never know what you'll find at the beach. That's part of the fun.

H is for Hummingbird

2008-04-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

I've posted these pictures before, but H had to be for hummingbird--my favorite bird.

Hummingbirds are rare visitors in our yard in the spring, but starting in August, they stop over on their way south. Our last sighting in 2007 was on December 4.

I'm looking forward to their return.

It's a Winner

2008-04-23T07:45:00.000-05:00

As it turns out, abandoning the second sock did not jinx my baseball team's winning streak. They won soundly on Monday night as I cast on and began knitting my next project. However, last night the team lost, but it was their own fault--this project is a winner.

Baseball Knitting

Optic Waves Shawl from The Knitter's Book of Yarn is a rectangular lace stole with a simple stitch pattern: easy to memorize and easy to execute. Exactly the criteria necessary to qualify as good baseball knitting.

Jumbled Stitches

According to the pattern notes, it is designed specifically to take advantage of the unique characteristics of Brooks Farm Yarn Primero such as inelasticity, drape and weight. So even though the stitches look like a jumbled mess right now, I'm confident they will straighten out with blocking.

Brooks Farm Yarn Primero

Primero is 100% kid mohair with a smooth finish and a nice sheen. I do not know the color name of my particular yarn. It is only labeled MW R5. The overall color is blue, but look close and you will also see waves of purple and green.

At game time you'll find me cheering on my team with one eye on the ballgame and one eye on my knitting. It's a winning combination.

Simply the Best

2008-04-21T07:08:00.004-05:00

A simple sock is often the best choice for self-patterning yarn. So that's what I chose for my last skein of Online Supersocke 100 in Summer Color 793.

This sock flew off my needles! I started it on Friday and finished it on Sunday.

It was the perfect project to knit while watching baseball on TV this weekend. And, it perhaps brought my team luck.

Superstitious baseball fans would say that since I was knitting this sock and my team won every game that I will have to keep doing this or risk jinxing the team.

Never fear, I will keep knitting. Though I wonder if it will tempt fate to start a new project instead of continuing on to the second sock?

I'm about to find out.