Knitting for Bears

Another Mystery Knit from the Holiday Gift Along Yahoo Group. This started out as a fingerless glove - below - then the last clue gave the option of making it into a regular mitten. So clever!

The fingerless version was just a little too big for me, and so was the whole mitten, so I felted it just a bit and it is perfect now. Except that ....yes, I have to make another one! It's a beautiful pattern stitch and was fun to do.

Another fun project - clothes for bears! My granddaughter is obsessed with "Build-A-Bears" and their accessories. So I'm making her bears some clothes for Christmas. The book is "Knits for Bears to Wear and has some really cute outfits in it, including a mermaid outfit, which I know Tori will love. I'm thinking I need to get my own Build-a-Bear to model the outfits! I still need to sew the buttons on the dress and put the hook and eye closures on the hoodie.

Also OTN some more fingerless mitts (perfect for texting) for the teens on my Christmas list (and their mom too!)

On the todo list: The Ilene Bag (market bag) using the Louet Euroflax yarn I received in my Whoduknit Trick or Treat Swap package from Bonnie, along with the circ. needles to knit it with, A Book "Where There's A Witch, a box of Godiva chocolates (Gone!), a cute little Beanie Bat, and the "trick" a little jeweler's box with a fake spider inside!

On my bookshelf: Laced With Magic by Barbara Bretton, Where There's a Witch (above), Ghost Stories by Peter Straub (are you seeing a theme here?) and In my CD player - MAX, the 5th book in the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson.

Rainy Sunday

I've been a lazy poster lately! Spending too much time on Facebook and Ravelry. If you are a knitter or crocheter and you haven't joined Ravelry yet, your missing out on a good thing! If it has to do with knitting you can find it there - plus a group for every interest imaginable.

I got a surprise package in the mail yesterday from my niece who lives in California. She was wishing me a happy retirement and sent some great teas, along with the most awesome mug - can you see the cable stitching on it? Also in the package was Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's new book "Things I Learned from Knitting whether I wanted to or not." I love her books and I didn't have this one yet. And the biggest surprise - the beads, which I had sent her from Morocco when we were stationed there 38 years ago (she was a little girl then of course), and which she had kept all these years!
Thank you Linda - what a day brightener this was!

Seems like I haven't been finishing much lately - but here is one FO. The hat pattern is called "Megan's Braids" and it's One Skein Wonders.
It's a darker purple than is showing in the picture and the mittens below that go with it are really purple too, but for some reason they came out blue in the picture. This will be a Christmas gift for one of the little girl's on my list.

Answer to What is it?

It's a 'coffe cup pincher'. Something to hold a hot styrofoam cut of coffee with. But I loved all of your guesses!

Mystery Solved

Even after finishing the last clue on the Holiday Mystery Gift-Along I did not know what I had made! What do you think it is?

Licensed to Drive

The twins both got their driver's licenses on Monday. Hard to believe!
And such a mixture of emotions, from happy and excited for them to nervous and scared for them!

Holiday Mystery Gift Along

The Holiday Mystery Gift Along has begun, and the first mystery knit starts today. I just finished the first clue. All I know is that it is not a sock!
It's not too late to join. Just sign up on their Yahoo Group . It's like Christmas morning every time you get a message saying a new file has been uploaded! Some are mysteries, some are not. The first two patterns uploaded on Saturday were for a back scrubber & cloth set, and a crocheted lace shawl - both great patterns.

What Are You Reading?

When I'm not knitting, I'm usually reading. (Well, I do a load of laundry and run the vacuum now and then too). So what am I reading?
I mentioned the James Patterson Maximum Ride Series in another post. I've read or listened to the first 4 books - there is one more in the series. These books were written for the teen crowd, but I've enjoyed them very much. Maximum Ride is a 14 year old girl who, along with Fang, Gasman, Iggy, Angel, and Nudge were created in test tubes with a mixture of human and avian DNA. They have wings and they can fly! They escape from the lab, and set about trying to save the world, although it isn't until the 4th book that they find out what they are saving it from.

I recently discovered a new author (for me) - Jeffery Deaver. His books are all page-turners! I've recently read The Bodies Left Behind, The Coffin Dancer, Speaking in Tongues, and just started reading The Vanished Man.

When I'm knitting and when I'm driving, I like to listen to audio books. Greg Isles is another favorite author of mine, (Sleep No More, 24 Hours) and I'm listening to his Third Degree now.

I like to read "Cozies" too. Cat on the Edge a Joe Grey Mystery by Shirley Rousseu Murphy, complete with talking cats and shapechangers, Maggie Sefton's yarn shop series, and other knitting and craft related mysteries.

I could go on and on - so many books, so little time! What are you reading?

Rest in Peace Mary

Morning Visitor

I think there may be a squirrel in my house. DH is getting ready to paint the house and is doing some work on the shingles. He had to take off the outside door in order to get to them. This morning I went out to get the mail and when I came back in left the inside door open, like I usually do on a nice day, forgetting that there was no outside door. In the mail was my Lionbrand Catalog, which I promptly sat down to browse. When I looked up - there was a little red squirrel sitting there looking at me! I scared him and I think he ran outside.....but I'm not sure....he may still be here. Maybe hiding under my bed?


I did find some projects in the Lionbrand catalog that I'd like to make. Like these felted slippers




And this round crocheted afghan. The patterns are free at http://www.lionbrand.com/ , along with tons of other free patterns.
And since I have finished almost all of my UFOs (unfinished objects) I can start some new projects.

The Scalloped beaded necklace is from 101 Designer One Skein Wonders and takes a very little bit of one skein. This is one of those 'betcha can't make just one' kinds of projects.

The felted bag is a larger version of the little pink one I made and has two pockets inside. The flower is pinned on and was made by cutting the shapes out of some felted projects that went wrong!

The Shawl is an adaption of the pattern Gabriel's Wings and is made with leftover self-patterning sock yarn with rows of solid sock yarn in-between. This is a project I made for one of the books we read on the Whoduknit Group - The Angel Experiment, by James Patterson. I got thoroughly hooked on this series and have read up to the third one so far.

Okay squirrel - where are you???

Fibery Goodness

Last Friday, on a gorgeous fall day, I drove to the Fiber College on the Penobscott in Searsport Maine. It is always held the weekend after Labor Day at the Searsport Shores campground on the Penobscott Bay. This year I took a couple of classes. Another spindle spinning class, which was very interesting because the instructor approached it in a different way than in the last class I took. Maybe if I combine the two methods I can get that spindle to spin! The other class was a fun one called 'weaving bits and pieces'. And that's exactly what it was - bits and pieces of yarn and ribbon woven on a handmade loom.

This is my finished masterpiece! Now, what do you do with these bits and pieces weavings? The instructor used hers as pockets on handmade tote bags. I think with a backing, lining and zipper it would make a great change purse. And, a bunch of these sewn together would make an awesome scarf. But for now, this one is sitting next to my computer and being used as a mug mat.

After the classes I walked around to check out the vendors and their beautiful yarns, fibers for spinning, handmade items, etc.

And for a completely different kind of fibery goodness - a Fruit Torte! It's easy and especially delicious when served warm with ice cream. I brought this one to a fun night of Bunco with some old friends and some new. This recipe made more than enough to feed twelve ladies with some left over.

FRUIT TORTE (DOUBLE BATTER)



6 Cups flour

1 ½ Cups sugar

4 egg YOLKS

Pinch of cinnamon

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 lb butter or margarine – melted

2 cans Comstock fruit

1 15/10 cookie sheet



Blend all dry ingredients, then add egg yolks and melted butter.



Use half of mixture for bottom of pan. (smooth down in pan)

(Remainder of mixture for top)



Spread 2 cans of Comstock pie filling over bottom of pan.

(I uses 1 can apples and 1 can blueberries.) One can on each side of pan.



“Crumb” remaining “dry mixture” over top of fruit.



Bake at 375 degree oven for 40-45 mins or until slightly browned.



DO NOT USE WHITES OF EGGS,

THEY WILL NOT ALLOW MIXTURE TO “CRUMB”.



ENJOY.

Where have you been?

I've been told I haven't updated my blog in a couple of weeks -nice to know I was missed!

Even though I retired from teaching in June, I couldn't stay away from the first day of school. It wasn't just any first day of school, it was the first day of school in our brand new beautiful, state of the art school! Well, it will be state of the art once everything is working, like the phones and the Internet - but minor details!

Peninsula CSD
My favorite place - the Teacher's Lounge. It is much appreciated after not having one for the past 6 years (every available space was being used for instruction in our old school). The PTC supplied the fruit for the first day of school.

Stephen and Tabatha King donated $20,000 for new books and supplies for our new library! I'm going to enjoy volunteering in here!

State of the art computer lab (once it's hooked up to the Internet that is)

2nd Grade Classroom - complete with 2nd Graders! The school has an innovative heating and lighting system state-of-the-art technology and a multipurpose gym stage and cafeteria (we ate in our classrooms in our old school) And..it comes complete with 200 students grades Pre-K - 8!
I have already subbed for a half day in Kindergarten (still say it's the hardest job in the world!)

and 2nd Grade (my old class) and have more days on my schedule. Hmmm - doesn't feel like retirement!

You can see more photos here.

16 + 16 = SWEET!

16 years ago these two sweet babies were born!

Still sweet after all these years!

Happy Birthday Sweet 16s

Some FOs and a Prize for Me!

Another clutch - this one knit with Paton's Merino and needlefelted flowers on the flap.

This cute little bag is based on "A Little Bird Told Me....." on Knitty.com. I knit it in the round instead of flat and used an i-cord for the drawstring and strap, and needlefelted the heart on the flap. Which leads to the next picture .....while I was looking through my needlefelting wool, I realized that I have somehow developed a stash of roving, even though I haven't learned how to spin yet. Looking at this will give me more incentive to learn!

And the prize.............

I won a drawing over on the Carefree KAL and got to choose two skeins of Crystal Palace Yarns. On the left is Merino Stripes - a fuzzy, soft, wool, that I think might become a cowl, and on the right is Taos that will probably get felted into a small clutch. What a cool way to get to try out two new yarns! Thank you CPY!

Hurricane Bill Says Hi to Downeast Maine

Hurricane Bill waved at us on his way through today. These awesome pictures were taken by one of my friends at Schoodic Point, Acadia National Park, in Winter Harbor.

Unfortunately tragedy struck - not here at Schoodic Point, but over in Bar Harbor at Thunder Hole where three people were swept into the ocean. Two were rescued and one little 7 year old girl died.

Beautiful - but dangerous ocean when it roars!

Phat Fiber

Last Saturday I sat at my computer at 5 minutes before 10 a.m. EST, hitting the refresh button until three boxes finally showed up. I clicked on the one that said "Just Stitches" then on add to shopping cart, then checkout, and confirm purchase. Paid with paypal -and whew! In just a few seconds I scored a Phat Fiber box. In another minute they were all gone! What is a Phat Fiber box? You can read all about it here. This was the first time I ever attempted to get a box, and I got lucky! Now - all that was left was the wait for it to arrive in the mail. That happened this morning when the mailman brought the mail to my door (that only happens when there is a package too big to fit in the mailbox - those are my favorite days!) Do you want to know what was in it? (warning, if you are not a knitter you probably won't get too excited about this!)
The box - see all the cute stamps on it?


On top - the popcorn bag (the theme of this month's box was "At The Fair") with cards from the contributors in it, plus a rose quartz stitch marker from Page's Beaded Designs, a felted "P" keychain from Calizna Designs and a mystery beaded thing that I have to go to wwwmemarcienee.com to find out what it is.

If any of the contributors see their cards here, I will be paying a visit to your Etsy Shop soon! Now a look under that striped tissue paper!

Fibery samples from Etsy shop contributors -

Including some other goodies like jelly beans, candy corn, and hand lotion (from The Spinning Sheep).

The next box drop will be in September.......

Off to play with my new toys.

Hot, but not too hot to knit!

A couple of weeks ago Maine Fiberarts sponsered a tour of fiberarts studios in Maine. There were only a couple on the list that were within 60 miles of my house, but I did make it to a couple of them. One was Fiberphelia, in Orono, ME. It's a great little yarn shop, with a very friendly owner and a large room for knitters to sit and knit and chat. I spent about an hour there and came out with two balls of Wooly
Silk yarn by Elsebeth Lavold that I knew had to become another Smoke Ring (I think everyone will be getting these for Christmas this year). Love the simple lace pattern and the yarn was great to work with. I even have enough left to make a skinny scarf - maybe beaded? There was also a 40% off shelf where I found Jojoland Rhythm in a pretty green/blue/pink. I haven't decided what it will become yet. The other studio I visited was Essentially Felt in Old Town, Maine, where the artist (and she definitely is an artist!), Sandy Spiller, showed me her beaufiful felted slippers, hats, ruanas, and felted silk scarves. She is going to give a class on the scarves in October which I am hoping to take.

Although it is way too hot to be thinking about cowls, I've had this hand spun & dyed wool/bunny blend yarn since last summer when I bought it at the Fiber College weekend in Searsport, Me. It really is as soft as the bunny it came from!
I found this pattern for a Chevron Lace Gaiter while browsing through my knitting magazines (Creative Knitting Nov. 2008.)

I don't remember growing older - when did they?

My baby (youngest son) turned 35 yesterday and my baby granddaughter will be 10 on Tuesdayand her mom (my dd) and dad will celebrate their 20th anniversary this week!

Tori had her birthday party with her friends on Friday at the lake, which turned out to be a perfect day.

A budding rock star?

Blowing out the candles on her cake at her 'Rockin' Hannah Montana Beach Party".

What does your workspace look like?

Knitty Sue is having a contest on her blog and she wants us to post a photo of our work area. I have a couple, but I think this is my favorite. Next to the rocker are bags with my knitting projects - small ones in the smaller bags and usually a large project in a big bigger bag (I like to switch off). Right now the pink bag has a dishcloth project in it, the brown one has an Old Shale Smoke Ring (cowl) going on, and in the large one is a felted bag project. On the footstool is a portable CD player with an audio book in it to listen to while I knit. Today it has "Heartsick" by Chelsea Cain in it. On the other side of the rocker is my magnetic row place keeper from knitpicks - couldn't knit a pattern without it, and a small tin box with knitting gadgets in it - stitch markers, scissors, crochet hooks, etc. The round box they are sitting on is filled with yarn. The picnic basket on the floor is also filled with yarn (who would guess?) as are the other three round boxes on the left. (and DH has no clue!) On top of the picnic basket is my pouch for my circ. needles, and oh, yes, a bag of chocolate! The basket is filled with knitting magazines and catalogs, that I can't fit in the magazine rack beside the chair. In the background is my computer desk where I can run over to Ravelry to look for patterns, check facebook, my yahoo groups and my e-mail when I want to take a break from knitting. The bookcase is filled with knitting books and notebooks full of patterns. On the computer desk in the background is my "Never Not Knitting" Yarn Harlot calendar, a phone, file box for mail, CDs and DVDs with photos on them, my digital camera, and the desk is usually littered with patterns I have printed out and have not filed yet. That's my knitting workspace. Want to see my scrapbooking workspace? Maybe tomorrow!

You asked for it Sue!

beaded scarf

I finished my beaded scarf for our Whoduknit KAL. The yarn is Zen Yarn Garden handpainted merino/bamboo/nylon and the beads are from Earthfaire. I loved knitting with the beads. If I made this pattern again I would add more than the 9 rows on each end that the pattern called for. I also added fringe and strung a few beads randomly on each strand then tied a knot under each one.

I haven't blocked the scarf yet, and I'm not sure that I need to.

Using up Stash

Is my goal this summer! And here are some of the results. The little change purse was knit with two strands of yarn held together (a Noro and a solid) in a k1, sl 1 pattern like the stash bag below. The gold & yellos clutch is Cascade 220 and the striped is Noro. What a difference in the felting process. The Cascade took about 10 minutes total to felt, while the Noro took about 45 minutes and you can still see a little bit of stitch definition.

Brown & Gold Felted Clutch:

About 50 yards of each color

Size after felting 8"x4 1/2"

CO 76 sts.

on 16" or 24" size 10 1/2 circs and join. K in main color for 4 1/2 "

Dec. 2 stitches in next row. Attach CC color - knit for 4 1/2". Dec. 2 sts. in next row. BO 36 sts.

Knit in st. stitch for 4 rows, then decreast on each side every other row until 10 stitches remain.

BO. Crochet around flap and opening (optional). Sew up bottom seam and felt. Sew on button and cut a slit in the flap for button hole.

Noro Felted Clutch:

Size after felting 8"x4 /2"

One skein of Noro Kuryon (I used every bit of it)

CO 76 sts on 10 1/2 circs and join. Knit around for 4". Dec. 2 sts. in next row. Knit for another 4", Dec. 2 sts in next row. BO 36 sts. K 2 rows. Dec. on stitch each side every other row until there is just enough yarn left to sew up the bottom seam. Felt. Sew on button and cut a slit in the flap for the button hole.

Change Purse:

Size after felting About 4" x 4"

Small amounts of 2 colors of

worsted weight yarn

On size 8 needles CO 20 sts.

Row 1: K1, Sl 1 across

Row 2: Knit across

Repeat rows 1 & 2 until piece is about 10" long.

Next row: K 8 sts in sl st pattern, BO 4 sts. K remaining 8 sts in sl st. pattern.

Continue in pattern until piece measures about 11".

Fold bottom up about 3 1/2" and sew side seams. Sew on button.