Sable Stasher

Or, What I found on eBay today!      

These are Great. Your little Piggie can

be a Tiger.

It is cotton.This outfit would be perfect for pictures.

But sydneybear (click on link to go to the web page)also warns one should never leave a piggy alone while in costume. Because, come on, once that thing gets hold of a mirror, there's no turning back.

More guinea pig coats, just for fun:

 

I got a giggle or two out of these.  They aren't knitted but they could be.  Make them more comfortable for the little fellows. Of course these little guys are Guinea Pigs.  All kids love these calm, non-offensive pets.  My cousin had several pens full of them he played with.  In general, I dislike dressing pets up in doll clothes and funny hats.  However, I have dressed Vader up to try on my knitting.  He looked about as happy as these little cuddlers.  I finally got my Blog sorted out with Typepad.  They gave me a credit for over charging me and 6 months free use of the blog, plus today, they found all my pictures.  I have been filling the blog with pictures for nearly 6 years - and when they changed formats, they lost my pictures.  This is a test post to practice using all these new tools.  I find this quite cumbersome right now and plan to read all the old typepad materials one day.

I have been on a quest, searching for Knitting Mojo for nearly 4 months.  I just started to knit again after discovering Duxbury was too large for the recipient.  Couple that with a sick spell and I just hadn't the energy to do anything.  I did finish the Blue Venezia cardigan and it fits well and is attractive on.  I hope to have some pictures.  Currently working on Cape Cod.  It is looking pretty good.  Pictures of knitting next post.

Stay tuned for the further adventures in knitting -

 

  

The Best of Interweave Knits, 1st 10 Years

Or, a wonderful little book with a lot of classic designs

This little book was purchased through Knit Picks at for $14.00.  It was $3.95 for shipping.  I know most of us have these designs in our different IK magazines but this book has a lot of technique details in it, all beautifully put together and at your fingertips.

In case you haven't seen inside the book, here are are few of the designs. I will begin with Icarus by Miriam Felton.  Icarus appears as the cover design and it is truly beautiful.  A rather dark picture of the back of Icarus.  Miriam is one of our KBTH talented designers.

                                                          

   

                                                                     

The 3 Penny Pullover by Veronik Avery. This is one of my favorite designs.  It is a marvel of texture and style.  Here is a nice side view.  

This is Barbara Venishnick's Burma Rings.  Along with the design, are an excellent mini course on short rows.  Short rows are a Nemesis for me, but very useful if one can master the technique.          

Cabaret Raglan Pullover by Norah Gaughan

And then there was the wonderful textured by pullover by Kathy Zimmerman called Marseilles.  How could anyone resist the wonderful texture of this one!  Here is a swatch.

                                                             

I love this design and have decided I have to put it in my queue.  I just happen to have some Zara that might be perfect for this one.

Stripes All Around & Union Square by Kate Gilbert

                                                                  

       

Millennium Argyle Back and front.

   

                                                    

Cambridge Jacket by Ann Budd

                                              

Water Garden Fair Isle ~ Ron Schweitzer

Basketweave Pullover, Melissa Leapman

            

                 

     Lotus Blossom                                             

And of course, Faina Letoutchaia's 

Famous Forest Path Stole. Faina is another of the talented KBTH Group.

The Confection of Perfection that I don't have the skill to knit. I love lace but my fingers refuse to cooperate except on the simplest of patterns.  Forest Path is my ideal of a fantastically original pattern that I would love to be able to knit.

                                          

Of course, there are many other designs in this little book ~ the technique pages are terrific.  The little book is so worth the expense.  This has been a little pictorial eye candy for your consideration.

Duxbury Finished Object ~ at last!

Or, the most generous people I know are knitters!                     

This a long story of frogging, re knitting and running out of yarn. It wasn't a difficult pattern. However, it was a nightmare knit for me. 

I purchased the green merino years ago. It had aged in stash for years. I had Jannette, (4 to 4 on eBay), in the UK send me two bags - 20 balls of Jaguar Extra Fine Merino DK. First time I had seen this particular yarn. Lovely stuff. A shame that Coats and Clark discontinued the Jaeger line. (I heard C&C bought Rowan out a few years ago. Feel free to correct that if it is wrong). 

I realized I might run out of yarn when the front and back were done. I decided to take out two chart C cables on each sleeve and knit the textured stitch and one 15 stitch cable pattern. By the time 1 sleeve was 1/2 done, I knew I needed at least 2 balls of yarn or, Duxbury would probably get thrown in a corner or be torn apart and be a vest. 

 I sent a note to KBTH and asked for help without much hope of anyone having this yarn. I didn't care much about dye lot. One of our KBTH members wrote and steered me to a Ravelry member that lives in the UK. I wrote to her and she said she would be glad to send that yarn to me if she hadn't thrown it away!  I held my breath for several days and didn't hear from her. However, the mailman arrived that week with the yarn and a lovely card. Two and 1/2 balls of the SAME dye lot.  Hard to believe my good fortune.

If I had done the cable sets the pattern called for on the sleeves, I would have needed at least 25 balls of yarn. Below are the 'left-overs' from my friend in the UK.  Hopefully, she will see this post and be glad she took all that time to dig that yarn out and send it to a woman she never heard of. 

A huge collection (stash to me) of yarn that is discontinued by the time we knit it up, ( 20 + years worth of yarns), is both good and bad. Good for these hard times, or retirement. I have found I just can't count on the given yardage in any pattern being correct for my particular style of knitting, and substituting yarns can be tricky.  

I just got lucky!                                                                               

I was so thrilled to have this done, I threw it on the floor and took the picture to prove it was actually done. I see I don't have it really laid out right but I will do another picture with a clean, blocked Aran.  Knitting onward...   

Terrible picture but stay tuned for my next adventure

Thanks again to the knitter in the UK that was willing to go through her huge stash to find those balls of yarn for a knitter in need. I hope no one runs out of yarn, but if you do, check with me. If it's old enough perhaps I can return the favor to someone else.

junieann

PS:  11 people left comments on this post - and mysteriously, they all disappeared.  However, I want you all to know, that I really appreciated the comments.  I have no idea what happened to my post. The unfathomable Internet!!!

Duxbury Finished Object ~ at last!

Or, the most generous people I know are knitters!

This a long story of frogging, re knitting and running out of yarn. It wasn't a difficult pattern. However, it was a nightmare knit for me. 

I purchased the green merino years ago. It had aged in stash for years. I had Jannette, (4 to 4 on eBay), in the UK send me two bags - 20 balls of Jaguar Extra Fine Merino DK. First time I had seen this particular yarn. Lovely stuff. A shame that Coats and Clark discontinued the Jaeger line. (I heard C&C bought Rowan out a few years ago. Feel free to correct that if it is wrong). 

I realized I might run out of yarn when the front and back were done. I decided to take out two chart C cables on each sleeve and knit the textured stitch and one 15 stitch cable pattern. By the time 1 sleeve was 1/2 done, I knew I needed at least 2 balls of yarn or, Duxbury would probably get thrown in a corner or be torn apart and be a vest. 

 I sent a note to KBTH and asked for help without much hope of anyone having this yarn. I didn't care much about dye lot. One of our KBTH members wrote and steered me to a Ravelry member that lives in the UK. I wrote to her and she said she would be glad to send that yarn to me if she hadn't thrown it away!  I held my breath for several days and didn't hear from her. However, the mailman arrived that week with the yarn and a lovely card. Two and 1/2 balls of the SAME dye lot.  Hard to believe my good fortune.

If I had done the cable sets the pattern called for on the sleeves, I would have needed at least 25 balls of yarn. Below are the 'left-overs' from my friend in the UK.  Hopefully, she will see this post and be glad she took all that time to dig that yarn out and send it to a woman she never heard of. 

A huge collection (stash to me) of yarn that is discontinued by the time we knit it up, ( 20 + years worth of yarns), is both good and bad. Good for these hard times, or retirement. I have found I just can't count on the given yardage in any pattern being correct for my particular style of knitting, and substituting yarns can be tricky.  

I just got lucky!                                                                               

I was so thrilled to have this done, I threw it on the floor and took the picture to prove it was actually done. I see I don't have it really laid out right but I will do another picture with a clean, blocked Aran.  Knitting onward...   

Terrible picture but stay tuned for my next adventure

Thanks again to the knitter in the UK that was willing to go through her huge stash to find those balls of yarn for a knitter in need. I hope no one runs out of yarn, but if you do, check with me. If it's old enough perhaps I can return the favor to someone else.

junieann

PS:  11 people left comments on this post - and mysteriously, they all disappeared.  However, I want you all to know, that I really appreciated the comments.  I have no idea what happened to my post. The unfathomable Internet!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL

Dux Duty & miscellaneous Dreams

  Or, I really have been knitting!

Slow as molasses, the Duxbury back is finished and the front of the sweater is underway (barely).

The color is way off - it is actually an emerald green but I can't seem to achieve that at night with a flash.  Imagination is a great thing.  At last, I seem to be coming out of my 3 month slump.  I have IDEAS again.

One Picture reminds me of me, the other reminds me of a jungle cat.  Hum, I wonder which is which?                                  

 

Bought Cascade Venusia in Blue Velvet

                                                                                                                            

                                                                              Fair Isle                              

             

          HAZERDOUS WORK                 

             

                     

            Stay Tuned!

            

AN AWARD FOR ME!

The rules:

1. Post this award on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate at least 4 other bloggers, and add their links as well.
4. leave a comment at the new recipients' blogs, so they can pass it on.

Check list:
1. Done
2. Done x 4
3. This is the hard one because there are so many wonderful blogs out the

Many thanks to my very kind friend Laritza.  One of the greatest and fastest lace knitters I know. If you are interested in spinning, weaving and knitting, or machine knitting, you will enjoy her work and seeing it on Laritza's Blog. Laritza graciously carried on with the 2nd year of Beadwork KAL for all KBTH knitters.  

1. Anne B from Maine. My rock when she joined me running Beadwork its first year. My traveling, knitting friend that is always creating marvelous designs - like her new Oregon Hat and busy designing an Aran of her own that I can't wait to see and knit. Her blog is full of terrific work.  She is an expert knitter and a FAST too!
 
2. Rosemary H. of ROMI fame. She amazes me with her shawl pins, her original designs and I am looking forward to her new book.  Beautiful and talented, her work is a joy and her friendship, a blessing.  I found her newest shawl pins in the latest Knitters Magazine that arrived here today.  Congratulations Dear! 
 
3. The wonderful, creative Designer, Lorraine C, from Canada. Her designs are carried by SheEweKnits owned by my friend Anne who puts together all the Celtic Collection designs in kits for us + plus anything else a person wants in Jamieson's yarns including her own designs.

4. The courageous Knitman. Colin is an expert knitter with both knitting machine and hand knitting. He designs with aplomb and has love for his dogs as an exhibitor, as I once was. There is a separate blog for the pups.  He does all these things, fighting constant pain and perseveres in spite of all. 

There are many other friends and great blogs out there. I wish I could list a dozen but that wouldn't be enough either.  I better let someone else award the prize.

Have fun everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duxbury Point Chart "C", a Beginning

Or, Chart  C  Clarification for  Duxbury Point.

In my honest opinion,  The stitch count varies in Chart C' s even/odd number rows in the Duxbury Point pattern. The variance isn't charted. From #5  through row #21, you are going to find that than the actual number of purl stitches in the knitting, VS the charted number are different.

I won't say these are errors in Chart writing but  the correct number of purl stitches indicated in the chart is short through row 21. If the following information had been provided, I would have had an easier time getting started on this project.  I think that other knitters may have had or will have a problem. This post is for those knitters. I hope they find this post helpful. Chart C is on the left of this picture. Chart D is in the center of the piece.

I have gone back to the chart and written out the stitch count changes that I used, and the purl sequences between the cables on the right side of the knitting. Eventually, the chart gets back to 21 stitches per row - at least as far as I have knitted. As I  finish Chart C. I will watch for other problem areas if there are any.

The instructions warned that stitch count would change from 21 stitches.  From lace knitting, we expect/hope the designer will let us know how many stitches to expect at the end of each row or two.  Delayed decreases are common but they usually don't take 15 rows+ to complete.

I don't think this chart shows the correct number of stitches to count or to expect on Chart C. Looks like they ran out of room to print the Chart and the editors someone took out some purl symbols or the designer thought we were all experienced Aran knitters and could figure it out. Since I have reading difficulties, this was a big frustration to me.

 The majority of stitch additions occur on the WS rows and in the purl stitch count is between the cables.  The Chart does not reflect the change in those purl stitches.  They tell you to 'assume' there is 21 stitches in each row of Chart C. I have included a close up of my knitted version of Chart C up to row 21.  If anyone disagrees that I am counting correctly, please send me an email to my home address, and I will correct any error I made in typing or counting. 

If you look at the count, you see that purl increases show up every 4th row. Accounting for the  KBK increases in single stitches on those rows. The decreases don't catch up for 15 rows. As promised, the stitch count winds up at 21 again.  I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of the Chart works out. Since there is no stitch key included, the - - - are Knit stitches on WS rows and Purl stitches on right side rows, as usual. 

Row 5: 21 stitch count                                                
Row 6: 23 stitches
Row 7: 23 stitches with 7 purls
Row 8: 25 stitches
Row 9: 25 stitches with 11 purls
Row 10: 27 stitches
Row 11: 27 stitches, 15 purl stitches
Row 12: 29 stitches
Row 13: 29 stitches, 19 purl stitches
Row 14: 27 stitches
Row 15: 27 stitches, 15 purl stitches
Row 16: 25 stitches
Row 17: 25 stitches, 11 purl stitches
Row 18: 23 stitches
Row 19: 23 stitches, 7 purl stitches
Row 20: 21 stitches
Row 21: 21, stitches, 3 purl stitches                  

   

The ribbing and 21 rows of Charts, A,B,C, D

The Trinity Jacket FO

Or,  Gladys Gets Lost in Phone Booths And it Ain't Any Fun.                                                        

This is a jacket I rediscovered after 4 years. It has never been worn or seen by before. 

It all began with a train trip to Seattle to watch my eldest Granddaughter graduate from High School and I never got there!  It was like that John Candy Movie, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, only I played all the parts  

I have shortened the story since my first post.

Things went south  before I left home for Eugene and the Amtrak ride. Burning bridges trapped the Amtrak south of San Francisco.  A 10 PM call the night before told me I had to catch the commuter and be in Eugene by 6 AM. Translated, I had to be on the road 4:00 AM.  

Daylight was just breaking when I boarded the train. It reminded me of am old bar in the early morning, (don't ask me how I know that.  I think I read it in a book). 

The train let out a few groans and we slowly chugged away from the station in Eugene. This sure wasn't the sleek Amtrak I traveled on before. This was a vintage puddle jumper disguised as a train. 

To make a long story short, many whistle stops later,  an man stopped and said, "You will be getting off at Portland."  Shocking news to me.  I was told that the train went straight through to Seattle.  That is why I took it.  NO CHANCE of getting lost! 

I guess everyone that knows me, also knows I have a learning disability.  I may be the only person in Oregon that can get lost in a phone booth. 

We had plenty of stops on the way to Portland.  Like every 14 minutes.

I don't travel much because my family worries - I have no, absolutely no sense of direction and with the Portland news, I felt an anxiety attack coming on, so I began to doodle on a pad of paper.

It was a crude sketch of a sweater/jacket.  I had been thinking about.  I am a terrible artist and with the jolts and bumps, the design ended up with a square body some lumpy I-cord around all the edges. Then I did another I cord around every edge.  No one is nutty enough to two rows of I Cord around the entire sweater, cuffs, quasi- Mandarin collar.   

ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER I finally knitted the jacket.  It took that long to recover from the 16 hour car, train, and bus trip to Seattle - that never reached its destination.  I ended up back in Coos Bay after traveling for 16 very long hours and I only got as far as Portland. That is a 4 hour car ride from Coos Bay.

The yarn is Rowan All Seasons Cotton in a darker teal/blue.  The I-cord is a row of 5 stitch lavender I-cord all the way around, and a 2nd row of of I-cord attached to the bottom  of the lavender in the main color.  The I-cord frog fasteners were made by me.  My first frogs of the knitted variety.  Took me days to figure out how to do that.  Instructions were from one of my ancient Vogue magazines.  The jacket was a bit large at the time but fits better now.  I have grown or the jacket shrunk.

                                                                                   

These pictures were taken 7/20/08.  Vader is still glad to see me even if I do get lost,  I always manage to find my way back home! The good new was, that Amtrak reimbursed me for all but the agents commission. 

Remember, my previous post?  I actually flew to Seattle!  I did make it to my younger Granddaughter's graduation.

Most people are good, decent and more than willing to help. I have finally learned to ASK and rely on the kindness of strangers - at least when traveling!

                                                                   

 

 

 

Chased Silver Update and sock & rock to Seattle

My Rock and Roll Flight to Seattle!

This is a Horizon/Alaskan Air Bombadeir

Originally used for fighting fires and now, for commuter planes between North Bend Airport, Portland, OR and Seattle, WA.

I guess they are okay planes but talk about shake rattle and roll.  Wow, a little turbulence and I thought the plane was going to fall apart.

The good news is that I made the trip, changed planes without getting lost or missing the next plane.  Met some lovely people aboard that sort of adopted me and showed me how to find the luggage carousel in Seattle. This was my 1st airplane flight in nearly 30 years.  Last time I flew anywhere, it was with the Wright Brothers!   In any case, all went well for me.  Most of the time I go anywhere, I get lost.  Something to do with my dyslexia and no sense of direction.  My family rarely lets me travel alone. Life is always an adventure for Lucy, Jr.  

I made it to Bethany's graduation. I had a great time. 

Bethany was beautiful and graduated along with 499 other students. We were in an amphitheater - very cold that night. We could barely see Bethy. But, we saw her before the ceremony.                                               

She went to a supervised all night party and slept for 24 hours when she got home. Ah, youth! 

She wanted a red microwave for college use, so that is what she got from me + a new red topped Dell laptop from her Mom and Frank and a lovely ring with an Aquamarine stone, set in white gold, from her Dad and Suelene.

There were very generous gifts from the other Grandparents and friends. Bethany loves red, so I imagine there will be red toasters, coffee pots and other functional gifts for her college dorm.

Her graduation trip is underway and I suspect she is tanning herself Cancun, as this Grandmother runs and gets a sweater, wishing she had gone too. 

 

Nuff of that...and to the meager knitting report -

 

Anyone remember the Chased Silver project?

I had to leave it behind when I went to Seattle, but when I left, it looked like this:

As you can see, the back is nearly finished. I only have a few inches to go. Then the front. I already have the Kid  Silk under skirt knit. I did both of the under skirts at the same time to see if I bought enough yarn. I have 2 cuffs to go and about 3/4ths of a ball of KSN left. I have to do the neck piece and may run out. Perhaps I can think of something else to use. The pictures are a little dark. I didn't use a flash and the pictures are dull looking because of it. Since I purchased the called for yarn, I will tell you the yarn is not like the picture in the magazine. It looks more blue than gray. At least I think it does. My yarn is definitely gray.

 

So, I took ball of Sockotta yarn, 2 short circulars, size 2.00 and I made 1 sock and half of sock 2. Oddly, that patterns turned out differently, although I pulled the yarn from the outside of the ball and the distortions didn't appear until I was finishing the foot of the 2nd sock.

 

So weird.  Anyone know the reason for this phenomenon?

Notice that one foot is striped the other is more mottled. I expected both feet to look the same. Same amount of stitches. The mottled sock was the first. The second it on your left. The cuffs are identical.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

At least they fit!  Before I left I finished these Trekking Tiger socks - to wear. It's the only way I can hold my shoes on.  I hate size 5 feet. You can't buy socks that fit. I am going to try some really fine yarn on #0 needles. I have to 'discover' some first.

Trekking Tigers                                       

What a difference the needle size makes.

The Tigers are a bit too large. I accidentally knitted them on 3.00mm.  On the Sockotta Blues, I used 2.25mm and the socks are a perfect fit.

In reality, Tiger socks are the same color.  At least they look the same with these sunglasses on...