tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26014037005273325812012-02-15T13:38:24.608-05:00Knitting,Knotting,Fun Things to do with Strings be it fiber, metal, paper, anything else, or (my friend's) guitar, My Internal Monologuegildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.comBlogger1321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-59976428807286854312012-02-15T13:25:00.005-05:002012-02-15T13:38:24.615-05:00

January was not a good month. On January 5th, I was in an auto accident. Luckily, no one was injured. Luckily, the accident happened in the parking lot at work and the weather was mild. Also, the accident was clearly not my fault. I am grateful for all of that. Really.Still, it WAS an auto accident. My car is still not fixed, some five weeks later.....How does this relate to knitting you ask?

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-63071163161111586072012-02-15T13:12:00.004-05:002012-02-15T13:23:31.166-05:00

I knit a bag to hold my knitting.....In 2008 I knit a tote bag from Paton's SWS and have been using it ever since. My cat LOVES it. She sat on that bag at every opportunity. I have given up and given her that bag.The photo at left shows my new, Windmill Bag, knit from my last stash of Slate SWS. It used exactly 3 skeins. This was a fabulous project on an advanced beginner level. The project was

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-44605187315020773772011-12-16T12:38:00.002-05:002011-12-31T16:22:34.780-05:00

This was a quick project. Finally I made a knit that my husband actually used. It only took me 25 years or so.Over the Summer, we did a full kitchen renovation. The space was ripped out to the bare walls. In the preparatory packing, we discarded a lot of old kitchen appliances and so forth.When we got access to the new kitchen, my husband went out and got an expensive new coffee maker. He hated

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-52356453989353888032011-12-16T12:36:00.003-05:002011-12-31T16:11:28.586-05:00

Ok, I've REALLY been procrastinating. This is the finished sample pouch. The Hebrew lettering for Barckh/Baruch is on the bottom of the pouch. It took me forever to figure out the correct way to knit this. First, I had to find a source for the word Baruch in Hebrew. Since I have no working knowledge of the language, this was difficult. The next step was to find charted Hebrew letters. I was

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-77122629080143338962011-11-04T18:57:00.003-04:002011-11-04T19:08:03.769-04:00

Finally I have knit a leaf that I liked. I've been playing with leaves for several years and quite a few $$$$$$ in books and patterns and yarn. In fact, I remember an earlier blog post about it.This leaf was knit using Knitpicks Chroma Yarn. I chose the part of the yarn to get the color change. This particular skein is a leftover from a woven project.Precious leaves have been made in worsted

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-81332762696946485392011-11-04T18:51:00.003-04:002011-11-04T18:57:06.726-04:00

I haven't been knitting. I've been learning about beading with a needle. Knitting is easier. This project is about 50% done. I will continue working on it. The skills are useful. It's done in tubular peyote with Czech seed beads.If you are a certain type of geek, you will recognize the color pattern.I am thinking about doing some snake patterns in this technique. That's been on my list for years.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-88410078182597590402011-08-31T12:53:00.002-04:002011-08-31T13:10:07.060-04:00

I have done no knitting. None, nein, nyet, nada. Now it's nearly Autumn and I need to get caught up. Big time. The kitchen renovation is in the last stages. That means that the kitchen is operating, but everything is disorganized, in the basement, scattered, lost, packed, or incomplete. Does not provide motivation to spend my free time either unpacking stuff and figuring out where it goes, or

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-14993942367521581012011-08-05T10:35:00.002-04:002011-08-05T11:04:28.672-04:00

I forgot to post my latest project in progress. This is my third woven piece. Nothing comes out quite like I had planned, yet. The design was inspired be photos of weavings done at the Bauhaus School. After that idea, nothing else worked as I had intended. I bought the yarn on impulse. Foolish me. My son, Andrew is home form college for

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-58493774407569640562011-06-25T16:31:00.003-04:002011-06-25T17:02:10.011-04:00

Second weaving project. It's wearable for the most part. It's not a tartan, but gives the same feeling.I am very much playing with color and color interactions right now. I am also not getting anything accomplished. I just took an entire week off from knitting and weaving and....just sorta spaced out.Maybe I'll blame it on the kitchen. We are about to have the kitchen renovated. The past couple

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-36229364940865478302011-05-30T14:06:00.004-04:002011-05-30T14:31:34.600-04:00

This project is evolving. Originally, it started out as a dream that incorporated the Areceibo Message and......I forget. It has been through variations that may incorporate a quote from MLK, my head (knit in), Kente patterns, Asante motifs, circuit boards, Star Wars, etc. etc. etc.I opened the topic for discussion on

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-48687109233047916552011-05-16T12:56:00.005-04:002011-05-16T13:12:51.934-04:00

New hobby- weaving. As I was "yarn shopping" on Ravelry, I saw a project that had been woven using the yarn I had just purchased. It turns out that self striping and variegated yarns look fabulous when woven. Color banding that does not work so well for knitting can weaves up into interesting stripes and plaid patterns.I just got a 20" Ashford Knitters Loom, (rigid heddle). I like this as an

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-24547183797277732682011-04-15T13:08:00.004-04:002011-04-15T13:31:35.143-04:00

Don't even try to make sense of the title. It is pure stream-of-consciousness. This project is a combination of several ideas that have been in my brain for the past year or two or three. That means I had piles of paper all over the house. Here are the projects.1. PCB/Circuit Board- I have wanted to knit some version of this for about three years. My first prototype ended with me impaling my hand

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-53927720366610778322011-04-15T12:59:00.003-04:002011-04-15T13:07:17.343-04:00

These mitts were also made for the gift stash. The pattern is Quilted Lattice Mitts. They were a pretty easy knit, albeit a pain in the thumb gusset. For that reason, I might not make another pair anytime soon. Interestingly, they are made with the same number of stitches, on the same needles as the Jacoby Mitts. These were knit in stockinette stitch, while the Jacobies were knit in ribbing. For

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-20330115324773830852011-04-04T12:56:00.001-04:002011-04-15T12:59:23.475-04:00

This time I am pleased. This pattern is a keeper. The pattern is called Jacoby. It is easy and perfectly suited to self patterning yarns. These went in the gift stash. I shall absolutely may a few more iterations of this pattern. At least one set will be for myself. Of course, I found this pattern in the Spring, after suffering through another Winter in a drafty office and house.Note: I have no

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-71038333013445214672011-03-27T11:59:00.004-04:002011-03-27T12:09:43.178-04:00

Here is the finished cowl. An extremely quick knit. I knit 50% of it yesterday while enjoying a Netflix marathon. The pattern is Quickie Cowl. I will absolutely make more of these. This one used a single skein of bulky yarn. I knit this one flat, lengthwise, and joined the ends using a three-needle bind off. I may

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-40506083689775008842011-03-25T14:03:00.002-04:002011-03-27T12:15:24.803-04:00

This is the project on my needles now. It is knit in Bernat Softee Chunky, so it will be a quick project. The pattern is called Quickie Cowl and is available on Ravelry. I am knitting this as a straight length. When it is done, I will either join the ends to form a circular cowl or add buttons so it can be worn flexibly. The yarn is from my stash. Last week I undertook to clean out my stash as

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-83540674417483986112011-03-25T13:53:00.004-04:002011-03-25T14:02:56.447-04:00

Here is a shot of the business end of the TARDIS socks. The photo was taken under UV light, to highlight the glow. Still doesn't do it justice. Never mind why I have a UV lamp handy. I have lots of niche tools. Anyway, that is why my thumb is in the photo. At the top, you

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-36090736301883549152011-03-14T13:15:00.003-04:002011-03-14T13:24:38.401-04:00

This is the current project, fingerless gloves in worsted weight yarn on size 5 needles. I am using the pattern, Breve that is available on Ravelry. These mitts are wonderfully easy to make, just 40 stitches of 4 X 1 rib knit in the round. After both tubes are knit I will add "afterthought thumbs".My goal this year is to knit up some stash yarn and have some gifts ready for when I need them. In

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-89881929830393806982011-02-17T12:42:00.003-05:002011-02-17T13:07:30.590-05:00

That is EXACTLY how I feel about this project, right now. Knitting the socks themselves is OK. The @#$$%^^ glow-in-the-dark yarn is something else. The yarn in question is Nightlights. It is a long-filament, 100% nylon sliver/roving. It won't hold a twist. As a result, the fibers form a hairy-ass hot mess unless you use them exactly right.My first attempt was NOT right. Damn, I had

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-67125066910155682592011-02-07T12:38:00.002-05:002011-02-17T12:41:39.069-05:00

Totally forgot to post this. I am working on my first pair of real socks. The last attempt turned out as giant Technicolor mittens.These will be a gift for someone and will feature a TARDIS theme.Made of KnitPicks, Palette in deep blue. I am knitting both socks together on separate sets of DPNs. This gives me the best chance of finishing the socks and having them match.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-9466081042674125782011-01-20T10:54:00.003-05:002011-01-20T11:11:59.661-05:00

Rare photos of myself. Every once in a great while I will get in front of a camera. One problem is that I take terrible pictures of myself. Candid photos are best. My family members are uniformly terrible with a camera. In this case, I am showing off a new hair cut. I usually wear my hair bound up.I must admit that I am totally enjoying this. I grew up with a grandmother who had very strict ideas

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-37549036631730358412011-01-03T12:32:00.004-05:002011-01-03T12:41:35.967-05:00

A process shot of the Chadwick Shawl. It is just, just, finished and in blocking. It took me a long time to knit this one, partly because the last rows were more than 300 stitches and 5 feet long before blocking. Once I figure out how to wrap it, I'll put up a photo. For once, I will try to put up a rare shot of me wearing a knit.Another reason that this shawl took so long is that I got a virus

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-52004162387118605642010-12-04T14:33:00.004-05:002010-12-04T14:58:03.127-05:00

This is an interim blog post. I am knitting, but the pace is a bit slower. I've been working in fingering or sock yarn. Takes time to finish a project.The dessert at left was made for Thanksgiving. Every holiday I like to try some new item, just for fun.Treacle tart was mentioned as Harry Potter's favorite dessert. A few months ago, I bought a tin of Golden Syrup out of sheer curiosity. The taste

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-7002498759289457992010-11-06T16:53:00.002-04:002010-11-06T17:15:05.082-04:00

This was a LOT of fun. I started out to knit a mandrake root, as mentioned in Harry Potter (book 2). As I was looking up reference material, I learned to distinguish between the two varieties of plant commonly called mandrake. Mandrake is also fascinating as a medicinal plant on it's own. My project was knit to resemble a European Mandrake, which has purple flowers and an orange fruit. The North

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-90354068935355577902010-11-06T16:40:00.002-04:002010-11-06T16:52:09.105-04:00

Brandywine Shawl is done. Finished about two weeks ago. I did not photograph it until a few days ago. This one needed some time to grow on me. It was knit in a double strand of alpaca laceweight yarn. I've decided that (for now) I don't like laceweight yarns. I put a lot of effort into this project and it came out the size of a kerchief. To be fair, perhaps I should knit this pattern in a sport

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-23554667542277360342010-11-01T18:10:00.001-04:002010-11-01T18:11:43.972-04:00

Well, foo. I've been knitting, but grumpy. For weeks. Taken no photographs. Foo.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-20119146202429025972010-10-07T14:10:00.003-04:002010-10-07T14:21:54.334-04:00

I'm not exactly enamored of the picture, but sometimes it's good to model the knitting. If you have kids, you know what this is. It is a Pokeball Hat, named after the TV show/card game...money and time suck known as Pokemon. I made this in a couple of days for a friend of my kids, now college age. He's actually wearing it with glee. He wore it around the backstage area of school. I've been asked

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-20667230592582399692010-09-18T12:55:00.002-04:002010-09-18T13:09:24.782-04:00

This is not working out as I had envisioned. It has no style yet. No panache. Says "corncob pipe" rather than...magic. The hat is knit and felted. That part is OK. The spider is OK. The structure sux. I have tried fabric stiffener. No luck, but everything else around me is stiff, sticky and stained white. That product does WONDERS with cat hair.I have also bought felt to make a supportive lining.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-23831641628723809212010-08-31T13:19:00.003-04:002010-09-14T18:16:23.795-04:00

Well I'm plenty late with this. I am working on a black conical hat, to wear at work at the end of October. I've got black robes that I made seversl years ago, also for a work-related party. Anyway, once I started on the hat, it occured to me that THIS would be a fitting vehicle for a Barbara G. Walker spider. The photo at left shows the half-finished hat with half a spider. I am knitting pretty

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-33985248979314487022010-08-19T22:41:00.005-04:002010-08-19T22:49:41.805-04:00

This was fun and easy to knit. I'm pleased with the result and happy to send it to it's recipient. I am also happy to crop my face out of the photo. I am utterly grumbly and not likng the way I photograph. Foo. Besides, I look a lot like Yoda at the moment. Pbpptht.Wonderful pattern from Carissa Knits.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-17847236322147611022010-08-19T22:37:00.003-04:002010-08-19T22:40:25.452-04:00

I had 3 skeins of scarlet cotton in stash. Also, husband has been viewing new episodes of Futurama continuously. I need a costume for a work party in October.This ain't it.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-31495423253321389182010-08-05T11:53:00.006-04:002010-08-05T18:37:59.466-04:00

That's half a shawl there. I'm making it in the pink that won't go away. For some odd reason, I keep ending up with that shade of pink/salmon/papaya. I have a sweater that I bought in that shade. I had a stash of it in my yarn suitcase that has follwed me through 3 different states! I knit up the entire supply and gave it as a gift. No sooner than I mail the package, than I buy laceweight yarn on

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-20458449193561434112010-08-05T11:51:00.004-04:002010-08-05T17:41:21.590-04:00

At left is my most recent finished object. It was inspired by, and made for my friend Michael.This particular project scared me no end. Note that the figure on the far left is a PEACE symbol. Knitting one of those was a real piece of work, at least in my imagination. To explain...Micheal, friend from high school, is a writer and has his own blog, Flaming Love Peace Blog. A project for him has

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-55092626572092256862010-07-10T18:59:00.004-04:002010-07-10T19:13:22.179-04:00

Just checking in on the blog "Art in the Wind" (see link at left). It looks like my cat has a blog! Well, a twin at least. Here's a photo of Dusty in her native habitat, our yard. Like Pascal, she has been known to mangle some wool when available.On the knitting front- my current projects are in the slogging stage and I'm bored. Yesterday I started swatching Daleks and the TARDIS and other Doctor

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-18181148903268277212010-07-07T13:43:00.003-04:002010-07-07T13:53:10.764-04:00

The current state of the moth shawl. I have started using the new red yarn. It's a pretty good fit considering that I bought the new red twenty years after the first. The moth body is in the old yarn. I'm stitching the wings in the new yarn so that I don't have an even more awkward change of colors. The new yarn is from Brown Sheep and is called "Red Wing". I like it so much I may buy enough for

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-5559172261799266532010-06-28T20:11:00.005-04:002010-07-01T12:28:41.749-04:00

Progress on the Moth. The body is done. Filling in all that red bored me no end. I have also been flummoxed trying to figure out how to stitch in the wings with some kind of precision. Solution- tandem needles. I have loaded up TWO needles, one on either side of the shawl and stitch in the sections

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-87342230946491568392010-06-12T12:22:00.004-04:002010-06-12T12:52:27.066-04:00

The photo at left shows how I spent an entire weekend! I spent a three-day weekend winding yarn and ended up so sore that I took Aleve for a couple days after. I'm still not quite finished yet! But it is one pound of SILK. Backstory: Years ago, I splurged and bought o pound of undyed, raw silk yarn, fingering weight. I think it is about 1600 yards. The yarn arrived, in one huge skein and two 6-8

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-2441876129084543552010-06-12T11:36:00.002-04:002010-06-12T12:05:00.294-04:00

My kid gets credit for this idea. Periodically, I ask (beg) him for ideas to make. It is his duty to supply me with information on video games, manga and anime. I have an interest, but he is MUCH better at staying current. Anyway, he suggested this a while ago and I liked it. This is from a video game, Katamari Damacy. It's fun! This particular project is in crochet, which I use as needed. Some

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-80454710203964041422010-05-26T20:37:00.002-04:002010-05-26T20:45:16.025-04:00

Here is the project with yarn supply on the right. The soon-to -be frogged stocking is shown at left. It doesn't bother me much. I've been thinking about doing some new stockings anyway, because the red/white looks odd in our living room. The living room is painted in light blue/aqua and beige. Normally, I wouldn't worry but this past year I kept wondering about coordinating stockings..........

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-59643270796888977072010-05-26T20:05:00.004-04:002010-05-26T20:36:38.987-04:00

At left is a realistic picture of my knitting in progress. Note the intruder hustling into the frame. I've been dutifully working on this everyday this week and the progress is slow. This thing is BIG. It's a lot of territory to cover in duplicate stitch. I am worried that I will run out of red yarn.About two years ago, I had a surplus of bright red yarn in stash- about 8 skeins over three or so

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-36280431905939132512010-05-24T11:06:00.002-04:002010-05-24T11:16:17.416-04:00

Don.e. Cause I got sick of it. Small shawl, as in neck napkin, kerchief, fichu, in KnitPicks laceweight yarn, Shimmer, Bayou colorway. I did not bother to aggressively block it, but the shawl stretched out to about 36 inches when wet. It's a good size to wrap around the neck. I like it, but it's nothing to get excited about. There's no photo of me wearing it, but I tried. The problem is that

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-36868434610640318282010-05-16T14:52:00.005-04:002010-05-16T15:05:49.226-04:00

Yes, I am obsessed. Not about to change, either. Being new to laceweight yarns, I have no idea what kind of mileage I get from them and that drives me crazy. I'm knitting from and Evelyn Clark pattern, Old Shale Shawl. This yarn is so fine that the ball NEVER seems to get any smaller. I wound another skein of laceweight yarn for visual comparison, but that was not helpful in the early stages.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-73944133937399807742010-05-06T12:40:00.001-04:002010-05-06T12:48:42.413-04:00

Working on the Evelyn Clark Old Shale Shawl. I’ve done samples of Old Shale before and it is easy, only 4 lines I think. It’s a good introduction or nearly automatic lace knit. Right now I am trying to figure out when to start the lace border. For this pattern it is difficult because the lace weight yarn goes so far. I’ve been knitting endlessly and the ball seems like it will last forever!

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-83595551170497433142010-05-01T16:24:00.005-04:002010-05-01T16:59:49.978-04:00

At left are the two current active projects. The legwarmer is shown next to its mate which is in the beginning stage on the right. Yes, those are knitting needles, not toothpicks. When the second legwarmer is complete, I will have a set that is suitable for either a girl or a boy baby, depending upon what Rachael has. I've already completed a white toddler sweater and a baby blanket project is

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-1613155131830731422010-04-21T13:47:00.001-04:002010-04-22T18:32:54.967-04:00

My current project. The pattern is Eveie Peasy Baby Legwarmers. It's another really easy, fun, economical pattern. Basically, you knit two tubes about 11 inches in length. The pattern estimates that the circumference of the tube is 6 inches. I suspect it may be a bit larger. At any rate, my (small) hand fits inside quite nicely. The tube corresponds to a comfortable mitten. The pair shown at left

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-1394870556693907992010-04-21T13:46:00.001-04:002010-04-21T13:53:25.590-04:00

I am actually pretty happy with this project. It's knit from Springtime bandit and is my very first lace project. It was given as a gift, so I can post in now. I'm hoping I haven't already posted this..... I need to go back to check...... The color is Looking Glass. Yarn is KnitPicks Imagination. I can stop congratulating myself now.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-86014699274735565522010-04-21T13:45:00.001-04:002010-04-22T17:59:01.837-04:00

I LOVE the way this turned out. It was knit in a fingering weight yarn. I am amazed at how much blocking lace benefits it. The scarf as knit was about 48 inches long. In other words, I knit until I was sick of it. The scarf was knit in two halves. Grafting the two portions in the center was difficult this time. I've done grafting before. This time, since the stitches were small (roughly size 3

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-81781522543996053322010-04-21T13:43:00.001-04:002010-04-22T18:09:57.948-04:00

Completed, way too big baby shrug. This is one instance where Ravelry members were SO correct. Many people commented that this pattern ran big. I knit the pattern as written for the 3 months size. I used a size 6 circular needle and cotton yarn in a worsted weight. The garment measured about 23" for the chest, which is a toddler size. In this case, it doesn't matter because I am making unisex

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-26403923885321142682010-04-04T13:07:00.004-04:002010-04-04T13:38:11.417-04:00

I am scatterbrained. These are the projects I am not working on and I feel guilty. I'll explain.Distributed computing is the practice of using lots of computers to work on portions of a much larger project. I use my computer to do this for SETI and BOINC. The SETI project looks for signs of intelligent extraterrestrial life. My computer works on data from the Arecibo Array. Mycomputer also does

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-19104838946730053982010-03-24T16:22:00.002-04:002010-03-24T16:31:02.215-04:00

Today is the day to commemorate women in science. The women I want to write about are not famous. Their names are Eleanor Brown and Rae Greenberg. I met them in my first job ever, at the United States Department of Agriculture, Eastern Regional Research Center (USDA, ERRC). They were biochemists in the Dairy Lab. I spent time working alongside them and admired their competent examples. Rae, in

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-32845260253192915472010-03-20T18:06:00.003-04:002010-03-20T18:37:44.421-04:00

That's 100 rows of garter stitch lace there. In fingering yarn, KnitPicks Palette, Fairy Tale color. I have to knit the OTHER point, then knit 5 feet of "middle lace". Finally I get to graft the two together. I'd better be massively serene by the time I finish this. The pattern came from Ravelry, Rav Day Lace Workshop Scarves. The color is best described as "beets". After 2 days of looking at

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-46596982537927565092010-03-18T18:42:00.002-04:002010-03-18T18:50:14.584-04:00

I'm am feeling distinctly uncreative at the moment. The Virgin Tiger Moth Shawl is sitting in a bag making me feel guilty. Finishing it will be akin to embroidering a football field. Of COURSE I'm not sure I have enough yarn. That just adds something. I am also working on some babies' things. Gender to be determined. My friend has blessedly told me that she is not due until next Autumn, so I have

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-18980121161814805922010-03-16T12:40:00.003-04:002010-03-18T18:41:37.301-04:00

Done. Originally I set out to make a triangular shawl...for myself. The yarn was so pretty that I decided to give it to my best friend as a birthday gift. (no photo because her birthday is in 2 weeks) My boss has a birthday shortly after that. I started the pink scarf for her. When the scarf was 2/3 done my boss mentioned that she lost her black beret and hadn't been able to replace it. I cast a

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-5390303514385924422010-03-08T13:30:00.004-05:002010-03-08T13:45:50.228-05:00

The photos above are a study in value/contrast, dark vs. light...chiarascuro. the two scarves are knit identically. Both are knit on the same needles, same pattern, same 100% wool worsted yarn. The on,y difference between them is color. This is a great illustration of the principle that patterns show to best advantage in light colored yarn. I did not set out to illustrate this. originally, I was

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-17107954787488725102010-02-23T12:10:00.002-05:002010-02-23T12:14:55.081-05:00

Just started this yesterday. It will be a scarf of some sort, knit in alternating panels of cable and seed stitch. The yarn is a 100% wool, worsted weight. If it turns out well, It will be goven as a gift. I've got a tight schedule for this one as several people I know have birthday's coming up soon. I just finished another gift, which I'll post a bit later.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-67001246930565298892010-02-13T11:43:00.003-05:002010-02-13T11:53:10.258-05:00

I hate how those turned out. I've got a cold. There is snow outside up to my backside and i didn't even bother to crop the photo. There is nothing functionally wrong with those mitts but they are ugly and I don't like them. That is a perfect lesson in choosing the wrong yarn for a project. I used a worsted weight yarn in an K1P1

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-24159035623892599072010-02-07T12:35:00.002-05:002010-02-07T12:49:00.872-05:00

I took a quick break from other projects to make two Chicken Viking Hats for some friends. I've wanted to make this design for about a year. The hats are made in worsted weight yarn, wool or wool blend. I used one skein for each hat. I did not have quite enough yarn to make the earflaps that are shown on the original model. I knit the drumsticks separately and sewed them on because it allowed me

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-43105689190741426062010-01-28T12:51:00.004-05:002010-01-28T13:00:09.439-05:00

I'm working on the Virgin Tiger Moth. I have completed the head capsule and outlined the dark pattern on the thorax and abdominal segments. The number of dark markings varies from photo to photo so I did worry about an exact number. The solid red area follows the lines of the thorax and abdomen which will blend into the wings. The blue(ish) guidelines roughly determine the lower set of wings, for

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-5891651293793713222010-01-28T12:46:00.002-05:002010-01-28T12:51:11.578-05:00

A longtime friend has a character called Gailia Chive who performs cooking skits. I am knitting up a couple Chicken Viking hats for her and another friend. I'm definitely making one in yellow and another in amber. It's a nice break to do a small, portable project.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-46713483505071464012010-01-24T12:23:00.005-05:002010-01-24T12:42:34.673-05:00

Here are photos of the shawl so far. I just finished knitting the base shawl two days ago. It took seven skeinc of Patons Chunky Shetland Tweed in Charcoal Grey. I started with seven stitches and increased every other row until I had 228 stitches and ran out of yarn. The borders are in seed stitch. The photo on the left shows the shawl laid out with a temporary gridwork to help me place the

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-65709360726979107302010-01-12T14:21:00.003-05:002010-01-12T18:32:38.914-05:00

I've been playing with this idea for a long time. The photo shows a circuit board (prob. computer motherboard) and a "pixellation" of a small portion of a circuit board. When I originally started swatching this idea, I intended to knit a diagram for a functional circuit or PCB. The diagram for that got unwieldy- fast. Besides, that, my knowledge of electronics is long unused. Some of it is coming

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-16106646381496849722010-01-12T14:19:00.002-05:002010-01-12T18:16:51.362-05:00

The shawl is in progress. It's a simple triangular shawl knit on a 40" circular needle, size 10. The yarn is Paton's Shetland Chunky Tweed is in Charcoal, otherwise known as "light black". I've got 6 or 7 skeins of the stuff and it's drafty in my living room. Shawls have been on my mind in the current cold snap. The shawl is approximately half done. At least I've used up about half the yarn. The

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-92170390032644661152010-01-11T09:54:00.005-05:002010-01-11T10:08:06.342-05:00

At left is a photo of two Virgin Tiger Moths. I think they are beautiful and hope to feature them on my current project. I'm knitting a triangular shawl in charcoal gray tweed yarn (Paton's Chunky Shetland Tweed), otherwise known as "light black". Whilst knitting, I searched out the moth photo and hope to stitch this critter onto the shawl. I have not yet figured out exactly how I will lay this

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-54259529213099302642010-01-11T09:42:00.008-05:002010-01-12T18:33:45.350-05:00

I forgot to blog the last two things I knit. They are on the way to college to be stuffed into Andrew's closet...never to see the light of day.... At left is a photo of one project in progress. The other scarf was in mixed brown/gray shades knit lengthwise in linen stitch. I wanted to get photos on the recipient, but he was never awake during daylight/photo hours.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-10698820095217595332009-12-23T13:14:00.005-05:002010-01-11T09:50:11.726-05:00

We got a lot of snow this past weekend- 20 inches. I got bored. Have no idea what possessed me. Part of the problem might have been that we we moving things around for the holidays. We also had a full house. My eldest son was home for winter break. That meant we suddenly had two teenaged boys lumbering around the house. Normally they'd be off in their respective corners, lairs, what-have-you,

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-20614424459702315292009-12-17T12:16:00.002-05:002009-12-17T12:23:18.169-05:00

This was a very quick and fun knit that I just completed for someone. It's made from Bernat Softee Chunky in the Denim color. The pattern is so simple that you can get it visually. Cast on 18 stitches. Knit 10 rows of garter stitch. Knit one row of elongated stitch (2 wraps around the needle). Repeat this pattern until scarf is desired length. At the end, I gave the scarf a 180 degree twist and

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-19793839737902679862009-12-14T12:30:00.002-05:002009-12-14T12:37:38.796-05:00

Here is the finished hat along with a photo of the graph/tracing that I used. The hat is a simple watch cap knit in wool using worsted weight yarn on size 6 needles (circular and double point). I was able to freehand embroider the pattern three times around the hat. I can't wait to send it to my friend who is finishing up her finals for the semester. (nursing school).

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-22697370016196947942009-12-07T13:26:00.002-05:002009-12-14T12:28:30.576-05:00

This is a swatch I made for a project that has been in my mind for a long time. Originally, I was inspired to make a hat for a drummer. This drummer was quoted as saying that rhythm was everywhere, in heartbeats and handclaps. I later saw a pattern for a heartbeat hat and bought the pattern. However, as a biologist, I wanted to design my own pattern that showed the tracing of a normal EKG

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-91292893317603765212009-12-07T13:23:00.002-05:002009-12-14T12:17:17.043-05:00

I've been making this for a friend I used to work with. She loves all things Disney. Carrie asked me to knit her a scarf. Of course, I was happy to do this because I really enjoyed working with her. She chose the color and requested a Disney theme. I did a long search looking for knitttable images. I settled on the Mouse because it was easily recognizable and fit within the "pixellation limit" of

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-78931556852874779792009-11-18T13:52:00.003-05:002009-11-18T14:07:27.222-05:00

It's drafty here. My chair is in the path of a sliding glass door. In Winter it gets pretty cold. I am still looking for a way to weatherstrip it more efficiently. In the meantime, I insulate MYSELF with knitting. The piece at left is a long rectangular wrap that I am making of Paton's Shetland Chunky Tweed in red.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-57936201084597102282009-11-09T13:42:00.003-05:002009-11-09T13:48:47.109-05:00

Just a little knit sushi that I've been working on. I'm doing this freeform. There is no pattern. It's been fun to look at what other people have done in this area for inspiration. Now I've started pulling cookbooks and restaurant menus into use, too. I'll come back to this project from time to time, until I have a complete set that can go into some sort of fiber-based bento.BTW, my husband is

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-47308224410814455892009-10-10T21:16:00.002-04:002009-10-10T21:41:43.249-04:00

Here is the finished article. It's about the size of my dining room table, just under 4 x 6 feet. The picture was taken by my husband, who stood on a chair to get most of the piece in the frame.Once the shawl/afghan was completed, I realized that there is NO way that I'm going to just drape this over a chair anytime soon. My fingers get tired every time I look at it. It's carefully folded (

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-22051894722359897632009-10-03T12:18:00.002-04:002009-10-03T12:20:25.117-04:00

Quick update. I'm binding off the edging. It's taking quite some time. Hope to have a photo of the finished project up very soon and then on to the next project(s).

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-62942857524694662222009-09-29T13:31:00.003-04:002009-10-03T12:17:36.088-04:00

Nearly done. This is the second try on the edge. Originally, I tried a slip stitch type of ribbing. Unfortunately it did not lie flat. It was wavy and the edges curled. After completing two sides, (one short and one long) I ripped it out and started over. As much as I hated that, it was better to have a decent-looking finish on this project. This time, I picked up about 20-25% fewer stitches on

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-59691230731912451242009-09-26T18:55:00.003-04:002009-09-26T19:07:00.938-04:00

This photo shows how I interpreted the elements that have temporary names. That means that most of them have been "discovered" (synthesized) but IUPAC and IUPAP have not verified them or agreed on a two-letter symbol and name. Note that UUS, (atomic number 117) has not been discovered yet.The layout of the three-letter elements is not ideal, but I was happy just to get three letters squeezed into

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-2254355576468457212009-09-15T14:41:00.002-04:002009-09-26T18:55:01.921-04:00

Progress photo. Rare earths done. The last groups to go in are the newest elements, the halogens and the inert gases.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-391987767895853932009-09-11T13:52:00.003-04:002009-09-26T18:48:07.549-04:00

A progress photo. The metalloids are going in, along with the rest of the rare earths. Slogging along at this point. The novelty has worn off. Note stubborn cat on left.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-89538920613583791492009-09-09T22:50:00.004-04:002009-09-09T22:59:48.055-04:00

I'm finishing the Transition Metals. I'm going to fiddle with the Nonmetals and Metalloids/Poor Metals together. Trying to figure out color combinations using existing yarns only. I don't want to buy anything or add another yarn. So far, I was lucky to find reasonably compatible cotton yarns in my stash. Luck is the key word, here. Even though I've read a good deal more color theory than average,

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-5134017427741294622009-09-03T14:31:00.004-04:002009-09-08T18:39:00.677-04:00

Actually, this is from a couple of days ago. I stretched out the knitting so I could get a sense of the overall project. (Of course a cloud passed over to change the lighting while I was working.) Interestingly enough, the letters look better from a distance. That is what I need to see. When I work on the individual stitches, I lose perspective and get totally fixated.....pixellated, if you will.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-18898058704386996892009-08-30T20:51:00.005-04:002009-08-30T21:21:36.290-04:00

Here is my graph of the recent updates to the Periodic Table of the Elements. My update is based on the original charts of Avital Pinnick. I am insanely grateful to Avital for having such a great idea. Avital's Periodic Table Sweater and original charts can be found at her blog, This and That. I have used her layout and style so that the new or changed elements can be incorporated right in with

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-5418238654782059412009-08-28T11:45:00.003-04:002009-09-08T18:25:53.987-04:00

Here are the finished beanies. One has been sent out to the recipient. The second one should be sent or delivered soon, but was not a surprise. Haven't heard anything, but I do hope they like them.....handmade and all that. I certainly like the results and would wear them. In fact, I may make one to match my own coat.......

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-80110773899320598012009-08-27T14:40:00.003-04:002009-08-27T18:06:26.084-04:00

I've put in the Reactive Metals and am starting to fill in the Transition Metals, along with the Lanthanoids and Actinoids. I'm doing the groups together so I can keep everything aligned properly. Tentatively, the Transition Metals have been worked in a variegated blue yarn, shown at left. Surprisingly, the photos help me decide which colors work best. When I am stitching, I am too close to the

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-33936536257493879732009-08-24T22:25:00.003-04:002009-08-24T23:10:16.493-04:00

Let me say right off that I am using the chart so kindly posted by Apinnick for her Periodic Table Sweater. My background is in Biochemistry and I love Chemistry. This sweater grabbed my attention immediately, especially since I used to wear a yellow periodic table T-shirt in high school. (long term geek that I am)Instead of a sweater, I am making a flat shawl/throw in worsted weight cotton yarn

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-45693675521420166002009-08-19T20:40:00.005-04:002009-08-19T20:50:20.198-04:00

What I'm working on right now. The pattern is from Ravelry, called Decidedly Delicate. It has an easy 4 row pattern repeat. I'm making two hats, one each on size 8 and size 9 circular or double point needles. Nice, fun, mindless knitting. I'm making the hats for two girls, one will be turning 9 soon and one who will be somewhat older. The pink yarn is a departure for me, but I like it. It was

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-44405735150361927782009-08-07T13:14:00.006-04:002009-08-07T16:54:18.951-04:00

These photos are what I have at the moment. The jellyfish could be considered complete, but I think additional tentacles are needed. I need to give it a good long stare in a dark room (it glows). Then I will try out tentacles and various accents in s "glow", pink, or clear cord. The clear cord is being reserved for a transparent knit first. These photos were taken with the unwilling cooperation

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-57617298514460599832009-07-25T16:04:00.005-04:002010-06-16T18:24:48.587-04:00

Music-themed scarf/iPod cozy.Vital stats:Needle size: 2, one set straight, one set double pointedYarn: sock weightGauge: 6 stitche per inch, 8 rows per inchTotal number of stitches in project, 13,382, (31 stitches per round)Here is what I learned.Barcode is truly a machine language. I took the name "bellflur" (after the band) and used an online converter to translate it into Code 128. It looks

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-34536410250267714142009-07-22T12:01:00.005-04:002009-07-22T12:28:28.214-04:00

The photo shows jellyfish, "moon jellies", my current model and inspiration. Jellyfish, invertebrates and bioluminescence have been interests of mine for years. I want to do something that has a passing resemblance to the real creature. I don't like cutesy, anthropomorhic versions with faces.I started out trying to use some of my stash of glow yarn, but it wasn't right. I want to get something

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-3377242919707992312009-07-04T22:10:00.003-04:002009-07-04T22:23:31.041-04:00

This is the one year anniversary of this blog. The embarrassing photo at left is Penguin, a "retired" feral cat who adopted us a couple years ago. Today I gave him cause to re-think that decision. I saw the blogpost about International Cat Hats, some time ago and just loved it. Normally, I don't humiliate the cats or make demands on them. They are independent contractors. This was the exception.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-38072044610774433962009-06-17T12:52:00.002-04:002009-06-17T13:04:46.415-04:00

Confession....I have been "socializing" on Facebook and not knitting. Anyway, I'm back to the knit at least for a while. Bellflur is hitting the road for their summer season AND they will finally be releasing new songs. I want to get this project finished before the EP and Album are released.This project started out as a simple barcode experiment. Along the way, I realized that I could use this

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-9255427483128937952009-04-19T20:37:00.006-04:002009-04-19T21:10:27.048-04:00

I do other things besides knitting. All my life, I have been fascinated by bobbin lace. Several years ago, I finally found the proper materials and began to learn. This was really only possible through the Internet. Lacemaking requires focus and patience. For me, it is a form of meditation.I am really glad to pull my pillows out of storage. The photos show a detail shot of my "cookie" pillow,

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-57143821678742323402009-03-20T13:09:00.002-04:002009-03-20T13:14:46.842-04:00

Everything changes, but why all at once? I am overloaded. The pillars of my life, spouse, kids, finances, friends, identity, language, psyche are all shifting. I have some choice in the matter. I am also obligated to cope with external change.Hitting the wall. Knit happens.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-70498978576762934232009-02-21T15:29:00.005-05:002009-02-21T15:43:54.099-05:00

I just could not leave this alone. Last fall I knit a scarf for C-los, who surprised me and chose red yarn. I totally fell in love with the yarn and stole a skein for myself. (Carlos, your scarf is one foot short as a result.) I started knitting my own project with the "stolen" yarn and NOTHING has come out right in five different attempts. I finally settled on a pattern, the Lamar Scarf, only to

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-85741609754151294382009-02-11T09:35:00.004-05:002009-02-11T10:04:49.645-05:00

This is the creation of a longtime friend. We reconnected and he told me about the video. I love his work. I totally get this.I must point out that this video has both original images and music. It is the work of John Chadwick. John wrote the lyrics and the music and created the images. He performs with his brother Roger.I first met John around middle school age, probably playing outdoors. We

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-4706400694090908162009-01-25T17:02:00.006-05:002009-01-25T18:04:28.472-05:00

My avatar is on the left. That's Raven, my yarn-addicted, bacon-addicted feline. As soon as I laid out the hats for a photo, she had to intercede. Surprisingly, she stayed still for several shots, so she's in the blog post.The hats are made from stash that I brought up from North Carolina and knit during a recent cold snap. One was made at my husband's request, who promptly went to Target and

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-15149927579486442982009-01-16T11:44:00.008-05:002009-01-16T12:09:16.414-05:00

I couldn't be more pleased with the beanie or the wearer. They've just posted a new video which I've been listening to intently. He's on the far left side, playing bass and synths/keys I believe.

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-34550597216939216312009-01-11T14:31:00.003-05:002009-01-11T15:08:10.758-05:00

This hat needs to contact the head on the far right ASAP. It's clear to me that he's gone without for too long. A regular, disciplined, stretch in a recording studio, followed by hot chocolate and a vegetarian diet would be appropriate.While this Bellflur member was out pillaging the South, I was at home knitting furiously. The result was this most excellent beanie which suits those who like

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-52805793566777067412009-01-05T12:10:00.003-05:002009-01-05T12:22:24.541-05:00

I've been sitting on this for a while. I got a message from Tom, who plays bass and guitar for bellflur, that he needed a new hat. Over the summer, I made prototypes, for a similar project that did not suit. Recently, I saw that he was cutting down on caffeine and I remembered the Heterocyclic Hat Pattern. Tom wears a brown hat, so I'm making a version using the molecular structures for caffeine

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-86757806242552613932009-01-01T12:52:00.003-05:002009-01-01T13:04:48.309-05:00

I was decluttering and threw out a handmade cat bed. Two days later, I noticed that a skein of newly purchased yarn had disappeared. I went nuts and searched the house. My kids eventually found the yarn being held hostage in the basement. Next morning, I found a hairball in my knitting basket. Mea Culpa, the cat was angry that her bed was gone. I knit this blanket by way of compensation. It's

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-79911742864020458712008-12-21T17:38:00.002-05:002008-12-21T17:54:27.336-05:00

I set out to complete three stockings and I've done it. The plain stocking was done last and will eventually be decorated for ME. Hadn't planned that, but I wanted to photograph a stocking in steps for a tutorial. I photographed each stage and wrote notes as I knit. I'll post the tutorial as soon as I can. From right to left the stockings are : Binary, Plain, Claymore, Dragon. The reverse

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601403700527332581.post-89780739725893221412008-11-27T11:23:00.004-05:002008-11-27T11:42:49.287-05:00

Here's the current state of the stockings. The photo on the top right shows the stocking for my younger son. He's chosen a heraldic dragon motif. The original graph is from "The Tap-Dancing Lizard", but I have modified it slightly to fit the stocking. That means I can't see straight enough to follow the graph exactly.On the lower right are the Binary and Claymore Stockings. Technically, these are

gildinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05541383973130362779noreply@blogger.com1