A Thanksgiving Yarn....

Lots of projects On the Needles this past week while traveling over the river and through the woods to my Mom's house for Thanksgiving!

I started the Orchid Cowl on the way to Carolina ....

I bless the day I realized I could knit in the car and not get carsick!  I have such a hard time sitting and doing nothing - especially for long stretches like that.  Even at home, I have to be doing some sort of handwork while watching tv or I go crazy!  This project kept me plenty occupied as I knitting and unknitted until I finally got the pattern in my head LOL!!!!

So, the reason I felt free to start something new is because I finished up something old!

The knitting on my Ombre Infinity Cowl is finished!  I actually finished it before we left on our trip.  It is ready to be taken off the needles so I can block it, and then I'll kitchener together the ends to make it into a loop.  I love these colors!!!

I also managed to add some rows in PURPLE to the Swing Cowl that I love so much...

Of course, there was lots of eating too :-)  Here's my lovely mom and stepdad with the turkey...

Isn't that one gorgeous rockstar turkey???

I couldn't stop taking pictures of it!!!

This Thanksgiving was much brighter for all of us.  Mom is now recovered for the most part from her illness of last year, and she thoroughly enjoyed putting together this year's feast (with our help of course!)  We had 21 for dinner - such a wonderful gathering of loved ones ♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

And now here a couple of odds & ends I wanted to be sure to share with you -----

If you are a reader like me, you may not know that Amazon is now having their Holiday Sale on books!



Click on the link I provided above and use code HOLIDAY30 when checking out to get 30% off any one book ($10 limit)!  I got mine - now go get yours!!!

And of course you'll love this COOL Christmas Tree I saw at McKays a couple weeks ago :-)

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Last is a warning about an iPhone SCAM that showed up on my phone a couple of times this past week ...

If this shows up on your screen, there appears to be no way to get out of the screen without touching the "OK" button - which you should never do!  I googled it and found the solution ...

1.    Double-click the Home button to take you to the Ap management screen.
2.    Swipe the Safari screen away that shows the scam pop-up.
3.    Go to Settings, then Safari.  Click to Clear History.

Your phone should then be clear of the popup.  If you don't clear history, it will just pop back up every time you go to Safari.

That's it for today - 

I hope to update you on my stitching progress tomorrow!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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The Needles Have Been Busy .....

Although blogging has been on the back burner lately, that doesn't mean I haven't been busy quilting and knitting!  With the cooler weather, my fingers have been itching to pick up the needles again, and I just had to take time this morning to share some projects in progress.....

First up are two cute little finishes ....

Aren't these just the most adorable little toboggans???  They are for our two youngest granddaughters, and I can't wait to deliver them :-)

These little kits were irresistible pickups during my stop at The Yarn Patch in Crossville last month.  They are called DMC Top This! - and there are lots of different colors and animals to top them with...

All of the yarn comes in one ball, with smooth seamless joins as each color/texture runs into the next, and a simple K2/P2 and stockinette design.  The little toppers are also part of the kit and super simple to attach!  Each little hat took me only one evening to knit up - don't you just LOVE quick finishes???  Yeh, me too!

I've also been spending some quality time with my latest Ombre Infinity Cowl project ....

The project is almost done, maybe a few more hours of easy stockinette knitting, joining the ends, and blocking.  I'm looking forward to snuggling up in these beautiful colors around my neck this winter!

Next I plan to pick up this languishing UFO  - The Swing Cowl ....

Denise at Justquiltin made one of these and I fell in love with it!  It's not something I can just work on mindlessly though, the pattern requires quite a bit of attention, so it tends to get pushed aside for easier projects.  I figure I'm maybe close to halfway done, and it's time to finish it up!

When that's done - and not before! - I'm planning to reward myself with permission to start a beautiful cowl that I picked up from The Haus of Yarn bus recently ...

This is a very soft yarn with gorgeous colors!  The pattern is actually rather easy and repetitive, so I think it'll work up fairly quickly.

And I am chomping at the bit to start this shawl kit that I picked up at The Yarn Patch  ....

This is the store sample!!!
Hopefully mine will look as nice :-)

But of course it is going to have to wait a while.  It may even be next winter before I get to wear it.  I'm determined to get the old projects out of the way before starting new stuff, but I just couldn't resist adding this one to the project queue!  It will give me plenty of incentive to work hard on clearing out those UFO's, right?

The colors in this yarn are HOT!!! - they sucked me right into the gotta-have-it vortex!  The owner knitted the sample I showed above, and she assured me that it is fun to knit and not nearly as difficult as it looks.
We'll see ..... =^..^=

I'm planning to catch you up on what's been going on in the Quilting Studio in the coming week, so stay tuned!  

Although I'm a day late to the party,

I always enjoy sharing at Patchwork Times!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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On The Needles - 4-4-14

I'm making some good progress on the Swing Cowl.  It seems the designer is now calling it the Wavy Cowl, but it will always be the Swing Cowl to me :)  I think I am a little more than halfway done ....

Pardon the quality of this picture please!  That muddy "browny" color in the middle is actually a plum-purple.  I had hoped to take a good picture in the light this morning, but it is not so light here.... stormy and rainy and dark.  Just yesterday, Gypsy and I sat out on the side porch and enjoyed the lovely spring sunshine....

Ahhhhhhh....... There's a reason for that old expression, "Like a breath of fresh air!"  It is heavenly to have the warmth and sunshine back after the bitter cold of this past winter.  I know some of you still have cold temps and even snow - UGH!!!  I am glad to have my faithful friend to sit with me in the mornings again this spring.  This is one of our favorites things to do together!  I am sad to realize it will probably be her last considering the way her health has been failing this past year.  She'll be 18 in August, and she's had a wonderful life, so we really can't complain, can we?

I also got a good bit done on my current pair of socks while at Guild this week...

It always makes me smile to think about how much the first stage of these two-at-a-time socks on the magic loop look like knitted bra cups LOL!!!!  I tried to start these at the same place in the color strata, but as you can see, they are each taking on a life of their own :*)  I don't mind at all - I think it makes them more beautiful!!!

Sharing with others who love to play with needles at Judy's Patchwork Times today!

Have a lovely weekend my friends!!!!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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On the Needles - 2/28/14

I finally got to add some AQUA to my Swing Cowl!

Doesn't that brighten it up nicely?

This is a fun project, even though I do have to keep close track of the rows and how many stitches are on each short row.  I figure I'm close to being halfway on this.  I love the design and the way the colors flow through it!  I've had to manipulate that a little by breaking off occasionally and starting a new color.  Some of the colors ran quite long, while others (like the nice bright orange) ran a little short.  So far, I'm very happy with this project and already thinking another one may be in my future :)

My knitted swatch for Rocio  is very pretty - love that colorplay! - but unfortunately it did not turn out perfectly after blocking -  did I really think it would?  Nah!

Length measurement.....

Width measurement.....

The directions said....
       Gauge:   26 st and 34 rows to 4 inches, on 3.5mm needles, in stockinette
                     stitch, AFTER BLOCKING.

..... which I did.  But the swatch did not turn out square for one thing, and it is not 4" either way.  It is 4.25" long and 3.75" wide!  So too large in length and too small in width - yikes!  And I can't be sure I didn't pull too much here or there while blocking?  Blocking is a new technique to me.  Should I have shaped it to 4" square?

Now I don't quite know what to do!  I'm thinking maybe I need to go down one size in my needles, perhaps to a #3 - 3.25mm?  Too long for the length indicates to me that the needle is a little large, and since I'll probably loosen up as I knit on this, too narrow for the width probably won't be a problem for long.  Any advice from you experts out there???

I'd love to start on this sweater, but I don't want to put in a lot of work that just has to be torn out because it doesn't fit.  I signed up for Amy Herzog's class on Craftsy, "Knit to Flatter" - hopefully I can find some time this weekend to begin working through it.  I think it will help me a lot with this sweater :)

No new yarn added this week, and nothing finished, so no changes to my Yarn Stash report.

So what's on your needles?

Join in this week's party at Patchwork Times!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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On The Needles - 2/14/14

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Doesn't this look like the most yummy Valentine's Day lunch EVER???

Well, actually, it was my neighbor's lunch last week when a group of us went to The Chocolate Strawberry as a Divas Guild outing :)  But I fell in love with that little heart dipping bowl! ♥♥♥♥♥♥ !!!  Right?  And I just knew you would too :*)  The sandwich was a Monte Cristo, which I've never eaten - no really, never!  But you can bet I will order one of these decadent sandwiches the next time we are at TCS!!! :)

Here is what I did order .....

Chicken salad on a fresh croissant - YUM!!!!!  

It was absolutely delicious!

But I'm still kinda hankering for that Monte Cristo, ya know what I mean LOL!!!

And TCS serves one of THESE on every plate....

I asked for dark chocolate and they had some!

....... sorry, I had to take a little break there and get a little snack :)

Soooooooo, on my needles this week has been repair work on my Wingspan - remember this big hole I showed you last week that suddenly appeared after I had blocked it?

Well, Denise at Justquiltin shared some wonderful advice with me, and it worked!!!

No more hole!!!  Thanks Denise!!!

It's slightly misshapen there, but hey, it looks tons better than that hole, and I'm a happy girl!!!

So now this is officially a finish - yay!!! :)

I started the second House Targaryen sock but forgot to take pictures - bad girl!!!  Of course, there's not really much to show yet anyway, so perhaps you'll forgive me this time?  I hear what you're thinking.... and No!  You can't have my chocolate covered strawberry!!!!

I've added a couple of strata to my Swing Cowl .....

..... if you click on the name it will take you to the page for this project at Ravelry, and you will see Denise's project as the main picture!  Isn't that cool????  Hers is the one I fell in love with and just had to make my own - it's gorgeous :)

And last, but not least, I also got my yarn wound into balls to start Rocio....that new yarn swift I got for Christmas is THE BOMB!!!  Those balls were wound lickety-split, and not one curse word left my lips :*)

I wondered about the name.  A quick check of the name Rocio on the Net said that "Rocio is a small genus of cichlid fishes from Mexico and northern Central America."  I think those little lacy motifs look somewhat like fish, so perhaps that is why the designer gave it that name?  Of course, I think they look more like leaves than fish, so who am I to say :)

So that's what's on my needles.... check out more fun needly projects at Judy's Patchwork Times!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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On the Needles - 1/24/14

I managed to sneak in a little needle time during my evenings this week, which always makes me a happy girl! :*)

I started the Swing Cowl!!!!

Last week, Denise really encouraged me to go ahead and start this project because "it is so much fun!"  Of course, I couldn't resist that, so I sat down that night and started it.  If you've seen her gorgeous Swing Cowl (go HERE), then I'm sure you understand why I was so anxious to start one too!  And she's right, this one is a lot of fun and holds my interest easily :)

Here is another picture of where I am so far.... even though this is a night pic and not so great, it will give you an idea of how far I've gotten and the lovely movement in the design!  The colors appear much darker here than they really are....

This is the yarn I am using, so there will be many lovely variations of color transitions - YUM!!!

I did my first provisional cast-on for this - I love learning new things!!!

By the way - pay no attention to those fingernails which are in desperate need of a manicure!!!  

I think I need to hire a fingernail stunt double -- Anyone interested?  

The pay is lousy, but you'd get to play with lots of lovely yarns & fabrics! :*D

I also managed to show some love to my red House Targaryen socks......

This one is just about ready to start working on the heel - yippee!!!  I really enjoy working on socks.... I sure do hope this pair fits me :)

And last but not least is confession time..... I bought yarn!!!  Although I had made up my mind that I wasn't going to do that, and I really want to knit from my stash, I caved in to the pressure of a pattern I want to make and a SALE!!!  Okay, I admit it, I'm a sucker for a sale!  Knit Picks had this lovely deep royal blue fingering yarn on sale last week...........

.....  so I bought enough to make a Rocio Sweater - see it HERE on Ravelry.....

Of course, the color is not quite right, even taken in broad daylight :(

So that will add 2,200 yards to my stash report on the side banner.  I'm hoping to finish up Wingspan soon which will counterbalance that number soon :*)

Used this week:  0 yds
Used this year:  0 yds
Stashed this week:  2,200 yds
Stashed this year:  2,200 yds
Net Stash:  2,200 yds stashed

So what's on your needles?  

Please share with us at Judy's Patchwork Times linky party!!!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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On the Needles - 1/10/14

As always, I overestimated how much knitting I would get done this past week while traveling & visiting family:)  For some reason, I found this little guy much more fascinating than yarn.....

Do you think he looks a little exhausted from all the cuddling he got from his Grandma?

I barely touched my red socks - boy have they been neglected!!!  But I did get another wedge applied to my Wingspan shawl....six of eight wedges complete now :)

This project is pretty much a mindless knit, so it's perfect for traveling and visiting with family.  I'll be sad when it is finished.

One thing that made knitting on this project much more enjoyable was my new Dreamz interchangeable needles!  I was so excited and just couldn't wait for a new project to try them out, so I traded out the old Clover circular needles for these....

So far, so good!  I love the feel of them and the fact that the yarn moves easily along the needle but doesn't threaten to fall off.  I've heard stories of interchangeables coming unscrewed or having a "catch" where they join, but so far these are working out beautifully :*)  I'll be able to give a better recommendation after I have used several more of the tips on other projects.

And since Winter seems intent on making us all miserable this year - (Polar Vortex????  Really????) - I thought I would go ahead and start my next crush - the Swing Cowl by Angela Meinz (click link HERE to see this free pattern on Ravelry).  Note:  If you are not a member of Ravelry, you may not be able to see it, but signing up is free, easy, and without any interference in your personal stuff (like spam!), so you may want to sign up just so you can see all the pretty yarn projects... just sayin' :*)

I was inspired to make this Cowl by seeing Denise's HERE!  Since I don't want to show her pictures or those from Ravelry without permission, I'll just show you how my pattern looks on my Kindle...

I just love the way the pattern moves in this Cowl!!!  And I LOVE the rainbow colors Denise used in hers!  My first reaction was to go find that yarn and make one just like it!!!  You know how that feels, don't you?  Please say you do! :*)  But then I remembered my resolve to SIMPLIFY this year... which meant that I needed to see if anything in my meager stash would work for this project.

And Eureka!!!  I have this Noro sock yarn that I originally purchased to make my Dreambird shawl, but then I found the blues/aquas colorway that I really wanted, so this went back in the stash for something else.  Hmmm, something else like maybe a Swing Cowl?  Yep - I think so!!!  It is not the true rainbow colors of Denise's, but there is a lot of color variety and I think I will be very happy with it.  I also had enough black left from Dreambird to use as the background on this - double perfect!!!  I love knowing that I will be using stash yarn and not just buying more for this project!

Workin' that SIMPLIFY plan - YAY!!!

And one last share for this On the Needles post ..... I was finally able to present my needled Christmas gifts, so now I can show them to you....

Crocheted scarf and matching knitted hand warmers for my daughter
Also, a soft face cloth in the palest shade of her favorite color, purple :*)

Knitted hand warmers for our oldest granddaughters, Emma (18) and Sara (15)

Both of these granddaughters are now driving - Sara just got her learner's permit - so these hand warmers will be great for them this winter as they drive.  Of course, and perhaps more importantly to the girls, these also leave those finger tips free for texting and playing games on their phones - hopefully NOT while they are driving :*)

What's on your needles today?  

Please share or just go look at all the yarn pretties at Patchwork Times!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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