Sunday, December 30, 2012

Well my son left this morning for Washington D.C..  We had a nice visit. I miss him.  He seems really happy in Washington and loves his job so that's good right?  My daughter left about 15 minutes to go back to Tempe.  The surprising thing over vacation is she asked me to teach her how to knit.  She made this really cute slouchy hat. This is the Eva Sweater pattern and yarn from Quince &Company.  I started this in October,had it almost finished and then ripped it all out when I realized it was too big.  Now it is almost finished.  I made the sleeves long and added a little bit of the apricot design to the sleeve.  I like the sweater and can probably finish it today.
I read one book recently "Elegy for Eddie" By Jacqueline Winspear.  These are a nice series of mysteries that take place in England between World War I and II.  The mysteries are really light what is more interesting is Maisie Dobbs the detective and main character.  You will meet her family and friends.  They are always having tea.  I really felt like some light reading this week.  I got many books for vacation and looking forward to starting them.
my cat Oreo




Some pictures of my house.

    This is my daughter Faith and the new hat she knitted






Sunday, December 16, 2012

smaller but more blogs

Hi
I've been thinking about this blog.  Many times it takes so long and I dread doing it because I have so much to say.  So,I am  going to write shorter blogs and try to do it more often.  First I couldn't start without talking about the tragedy in Newtown Connecticut.  I grew up close to there and my parents still live in that house about 15miles away.I can be there in my head -smell,picture the weather, the whole scene.  I feel so bad .I can't get it out of my head.  Hannukah finished last night and I just wasn't in the mood for any of it.  It really makes you think about your life and this world. That being said I am going to move to my knitting.


 I made a glove.That's it . One glove.  It was fun.  I finished it about 3 weeks ago.It was done in Blue Sky alpaca and silk.I love this yarnbut I am not sure if it was the best choice for gloves.  It is very soft and silky.  The pattern was a basic glove pattern that was free on ravelry.  Today I finally cast on for the second glove.  I hope to finish it this week.  It has been cold here-yesterday it did not get out of the 40'sso I can wear the gloves.

 My nest project is the gray shawl below.  This a gift.  It still needs the ends woven in and to be washed and blocked.  I made this out of Swans Island fingerling yarn.  This yarn comes from Maine.You can read their story on their website swansislanblankets.com.They have sheep and spin and dye their own yarn.  They are located in Northport Maine a little past Camden.  I talked about them in other blog posts.  We have several of their beautiful blanket.  If you go by the showroom you can see the blankets being made and the yarn being dyed. The yarn in the shawl is from the pure blend collection.  It is85% organic and 15% alpaca undyed wool.  It is beautiful.  The pattern is also free on raverly.  It is Stephen West pattern I think called Boneyard.  It is super easy.  I think he says it is a T.V patten also good for traveling.I only need one skein to make a pretty good size shawl/scarf.525 yards
 Thought I would throw in a picture of paperwhites being forced to bloom indoors. I have this one and 2  more started in the garage.  They should be blooming by Christmas.  My son will be here next weekend from Washington.  His office is closed for the week .  It will be great to see him.
last but not least is the Eva sweater designed by Ceciely Glowick Mcdonald. She of course is from Maineand I've mentioned before I have met her.  I love her patterns and this one is no exception.  I had started this sweater before and was almost finished with it. I was doing the sleeves and had tred it on a number of times and knew it was too big but I kept on going and tried to tell myself it would be okay .  But I really loved the sweater and yarn and was afraid I wouldn't wear it sooI ripped the entire thing out and started over.  I am making good progress and want to finish it this week.  It is done in Quince&Co.Lark yarn.

Finally yesterday I went to see Anna Karinina-don't bother,look for the Greta Garbo version to come on Turner Classic Movies and enjoy.
Peace All
Books next time