Wordless Wednesday

Passing It On

While this might not be the world's best picture, it is still representative of something vitally important to me, namely, the passing on of the major love of my life (behind my family,  of course) . Knitting is a major player for me. It keeps me sane, happy, and occupied in a productive manner.

Abby is eight now, and we have tried teaching her to knit and crochet several times, with no success.  Today she was home sick and came with my sister to do laundry, and out of the blue,  asked to try again, and this time it worked. Aside from some tension issues, she is doing great. I couldn't be prouder!  Even my four year old nephew knit a row with assistance.

This is just one of those great days that will stick with you forever.

Ewe Want Luxury

I had the good fortune to purchase a skein of At Knit's End 100% cashmere yarn some time ago, and, not wanting to let any of this yarn go unused, decided to design a scarf pattern to use up every precious inch.  The yarn I used is lace weight, but the scarf can be adapted to any size. It is a lovely little lacy knit, perfect for holiday gift giving, or for your own personal use (my favorite option).

The pattern linked here doesn't have a finished object picture yet, but one will be coming in the near future. Enjoy! download now

Wordless Wednesday

Fountain of Love Cowl

I am happy to announce that I have a cowl pattern on Ravelry, the Fountain of Love Cowl. You can get the chart by downloading the pdf. Enjoy!

Fountain of Love Cowl
by Kim Degener

This is a simple but elegant cowl, designed with alot of texture. The lace pattern is easily memorized, and provides a quick and enjoyable knit.
Photo credit [model-Abby Rose Degener/photographer-Sandra Degener]

SIZE
This is a standard one size fits all
MATERIALS
Knit Picks Stroll [75%superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon; 231yd/m per 50g skein]; color: Majestic; 1 skein
or fingering weight yarn of your choice

1 set(s) US #4 24" in circular needles


notions required
Crochet hook for picking up stitches
1 stitch marker for marking beginning of round, 3 stitch markers if you want to mark the end of the repeat

GAUGE
The gauge for this isn't very important. As long as you use a stretchy cast on and bind off, this will fit most people.

PATTERN NOTES


PATTERN
CO 128 stitches using stretchy cast on of your choice (simple cast on shown here).
Knit in stockinette for 3 rows
Begin chart. Each line will be knitted four times in the course of a round.
Repeat chart four times or until you reach your desired length. Knit 2 more rounds and bind off using a stretchy bind off of your choice. The bind off here consists of: knit 2 stitches, pass both stitches back to the left needle, and knit together through the back loop. Knit 1 stitch, pass this stitch and the previous stitch back to the left needle, and knit through the back loop. Continue in this manner until all stitches are bound off.


Chart: Fountain of Love lace
Round 1: k2, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k3, ssk, yo, k2tog, yo, sk2p, yo, k1, ssk, yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2
Round 2: k all stitches
Round 3: k3, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k4, ssk, yo, k2tog, k2, ssk, yo, k2tog, k4, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, k3
Round 4: k all stitches
Round 5: k4, yo, ssk, yo, k6, ssk, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, yo, k4
Round 6: k all stitches
Round 7: k1, yo, k2, ssk, yo, ssk, yo, k6, ssk, k2, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k1
Round 8: k all stitches
Round 9: k2, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k3, ssk, yo, k2tog, yo, sk2p, yo, k1, ssk, yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2
Round 10: k all stitches
Round 11: k3, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k4, ssk, yo, k2tog, k2, ssk, yo, k2tog, k4, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, k3
Round 12: k all stitches
Round 13: k4, yo, ssk, yo, k6, ssk, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, yo, k4
Round 14: k all stitches
Round 15: k1, yo, k2, ssk, yo, ssk, yo, k6, ssk, k2, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k1
Round 16: k all stitches


FINISHING
After binding off, weave in all loose ends. Soak cowl in cool water for 20 minutes, and roll in towel to remove excess water. Lay flat to dry, stretching cowl length wise, versus side to side, to preserve texture.

You can buy this pattern in PDF format, with the accompanying chart, from my Ravelry Store, for $3.

Socks, or, I've Done it to Myself

I am sitting here at 7am fighting with my sock that I've designed. Why are you fighting with it, you ask? Because I have foolishly designed a sock that only wants to be knitted in magic loop or two circular needles, and since I couldn't find another size 2 circ,  I had to use magic loop.

At the risk of becoming the newest knitting pariah, I will admit that I have no love for two at a time magic loop socks. I hate the first few rounds starting them, I hate untangling the yarn, I feel like I just spend the whole time rearranging stitches.  Magic loop is not my friend. Give me old school top down dpn socks any day and I am a happy camper.

These socks just want to be knitted in magic loop, there's no way around it. The stitch pattern I came up with likes to jog stitches around right where the dpns meet, and in spite of me changing the arrangement around, it was just to much of a hassle. Anyway,  let's face it. Magic loop is in. If they were just toe up I'd be all set. At least I have a furry knitting buddy for moral support.

By the way,  the pattern is called Fountain of Love. Ironic, huh?

A Day of Fibery Goodness

As you can see from my picture, I had a lovely day dyeing up some of Izzy's fleece we took off last week. I used Jacquard Acid Dye, and love the pink and green, but find the yellow to be a bit much. Fortunately, I think carding in a bit of undyed fiber will tone it down.

My plan is to spin it up and make a shawl to donate to make money for the Tim Gifford Memorial Scholarship. Tim was a neighbor of ours and the boy we got Izzy from. He was killed at the age of 20 in a car accident right down the street. He was one of several kids killed in our neighborhood over the last several years due to accidents,  and it totally breaks my heart to think about it. I hope I can come up with a worthy design.

On top of my dyeing adventures, I also managed to fit some spinning in, and even cleaned the cat boxes, so it was a good day all around.

A Day on the Farm

Chris and I participed today in a local Agriculture Day to schools sponsored by our county Cooperative Extension Office. I have to give kudos to our county agent, Bernadine, for doing such a great job organizing this. It came off without. A hitch.

Originally,I was supposed to do my usual handspinning gig, but when they managed to get a shearer in, I got to shepherd groups of kids from station to station. Aside from the heat, it was great. Let me tell you, we had several 4H kids volunteering today, and they were great. Kids tend to respond well to other kids in teaching situations.

Mystery Medallion Shawl Complete!

I finished my Mystery Medallion shawl last night, and aside from a few messed up yarn overs it turned out great.

I really enjoyed this knit. It was quick and relaxing, with some unexpected elements, such as the garter stitch mystery hearts band that gave it some texture and added interest. I would definitely join another of Jen's knitalongs after having such a great experience.

The Grass is Always Greener

In honor of the beautiful weather this morning,Chris and I let the dairy goats and Izzy out in the back yard for a little lawn mowing time, which they have been begging for, and I must admit, they enjoyed it immensely. Of course, Heidi had to make us chase her, but that's nothing new.

On the knitting front, I am eagerly awaiting the release of Clue #4 of my Mystery Medallion Shawl, not to mention looking forward to the Massachusetts Sheep and Wool Festival this weekend.

Bella

Bella
Originally uploaded by SpinningMommy

Yesterday our 4H group did agility demos at a pet festival. This is my Cairn Terrier Bella. She had a great time, as did we all, in spite of the relatively poor turn out. I did manage to acquire plenty of dog treats at this affair, and stirred up some interest in our training class.

Mr. Cupcake takes a nap

Mr. Cupcake takes a nap
Originally uploaded by SpinningMommy

Well, Patches and Mr. Cupcake are both feeling better after a few days of antibiotics. Cupcake is an extremely active little guy. I caught him here waking up from a nap on the back of my chair. This was after a full hour of chasing the other cats, and beating up a handful of wool balls. He seems fully recovered, and Patches just gives the occassional sneeze. Punky, on the other hand, now seems to be coming down with it.

A Trip to the Vet

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Originally uploaded by SpinningMommy

So. After waking up to a miserable rainy day, I decided that it was time to take Patches, and the newest addition to the family, Mr. Cupcake, to the vet. Both of them had been coughing and sneezing for a few days, and I was worried about it turning to a bacterial infection. $250 later, both of them are home on antibiotics, and I have Advantage Multi for all five cats.

Pictured is my old man, Patches, who at 13, the vet says is in excellent shape and has the teeth of a cat half his age. Definitely good news. Mr. Cupcake is thought to be 14-16 weeks, looks great, and is going back in two months for a neuter.

No knitting yet, but still hoping to get there!

Mystery Medallion Shawl Knitalong

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Originally uploaded by SpinningMommy

Working on my Mystery Medallion shawl on the Knitting Like Crazy group on Ravelry. This is clue #1.
My Mystery Medallion Shawl