Learn new Tricks?

 Knitting socks has been in my book for years.  I can almost knit plain socks from memory.  Almost, I said! 

I decided to do something different that was seen on Instagram—I was knitting a sock snake—a first for me! A sock snake utilizes a long knitted tube that will be sectioned into two halves--add cuffs and heel in each tube and you have a pair of socks.  Let's give it a try--maybe, you can teach an old knitter some new tricks!

Using several of my different hand spun yarns, I cast on total of 64 stitches, 32 on each circular needle-- this was fun!  Just knit in the round till you have the length of two sock tubes.  I added the ribbing to both ends—don’t think that’s the way it should be but that’s how I did it.  Anyway,  I did the next step, pick up stitches in the middle with your needles after you Snip stitches!! Oh no!  This could be disastrous! 

Okay—did that—keeping my fingers crossed that I didn’t lose any stitches in the process.  It looked a mess for sure; some lose stitches that will be knit in the next round.  

There is one side finished but I got anxious about picking up the stitches on second needle, so I did a stupid thing!  Just rip out the stitches! and pick up those stitches

What have I done?!!

Carefully, each stitch was placed on the circular needle--sign of relief--I did it!! Now, there two tubes each on two circular needles—

Next step, knit around several more rows and then WHAT? do I do next?

Source for next step 

Of course, I didn't knit toe up--makes good sense to do it that way BUT I didn't read very well--just wanted to start this new learning experience.

Now, the next step for me is to knit a heel and then the toe on each section of the sock!  Maybe, this saved some time knitting a 'snake' but I'm stuck with knitting pair of socks the old way I'd been doing them!  

This old knitter learned—she doesn’t want to do this again!!  Just stick to what is efficient for you!

Stripes!

 It seems I’ve been knitting in stripes lately!  Stripes in my  hat; stripes in my snake sock project; stripes in the Advent socks.  Yes, it’s a good way to utilize all those small yarn bits of odds and ends.  Most of these yarns are from my hand spun collection.  As I knit on any of these projects, my thoughts turn to Lenten meditation.  Each stitch placed creates a special addition to completion .  

This Lenten season I chose to display this hand pieced, hand quilted quilt.  It also features stripes—maybe not the way you think stripes should run—nonetheless, there are stripes. 

This quilt is special—hand made by hubby’s grandmother; she made a quilt for each of her grandchildren—her labor Of love just as our Lord God has a love for his children—HE presents to us his gift of His Son!  What better gift is there! 

The blood was for our spiritual life and the stripes were for the whole of our natural life. The stripes not only represent physical and emotional healing, they also represent prosperity. The Bible not only speaks of bread in relation to communion, it also speaks of casting our bread (money) on the water

Welcome March!

 Birds are happy!  Singing their warbles of joy, greeting the first sign of Spring!  Tulips and daffodils are pushing through the moist ground to reach the glorious sun rays.  If you look closely you can spy small leafy plants turned into blue sprigs of flowers—yes!  Bluebonnets!  The Texas wildflower of happiness.  It’s time to make the drive to find fields of blues and reddish pinks of paint brush! It’s a rite of passage to sit amongst those dainty flowers, seeking that camera click to save memories of these days! 

It’s a tradition to carry two books in your mode of transportation

A book to give you name of wildflowers 

Necessary!  If you are interested in any of the 2000+ 

Historical signs that appear along road sides.  

Spring!  The time for evening on the patio as grills sear our dinner of fajitas, warm tortillas, as we consume icy glasses of margaritas! 

Enjoy these warm and cool days….. before the blast of sun heat and humidity!  Texans love each moment of Spring that enters their days.  

March brings not only Spring but RODEROS!  The smell of dirt kicked up from bucking broncos and bulls, chuck wagon races around the arena.  Your ears are filled with shouts of encouragement to the cowboys who rope the steers, youngsters who try mutton bustin’.  the smell of carnival foods fill your nostrils.  Life is good!

  FFA judging of animals to be presented in rings of shows and sales.  A perfect time to sponsor the work of student who has labored for months or maybe a year to groom their animal for this moment.  

In years past we have purchased hogs and lambs from our grandson’s true dedication.  Watching the sportsman ship and groom man ship, places pride in your soul.  This is true love of learning, fellowship, education and sacrifice to this task. 

Bring on March!  We’ll live it to fullest!

 

Time to Sew Patriotic!

 

The Winter 2026 Quilts of Valor is designed by Quilty Girl.  I always look forward to her annual QAL for Quilts of Valor!  This year being America's 250th celebration, any red, white and blue quilt you complete is a bonus.

Echoes is the chosen block this year.  Rather interesting block to be used around a panel or border.

Here are the directions

I haven't been sewing much this year--I even think my studio is no way to be found!  Life happens when you are trying to have fun! 

 I promised myself that I would finish up all those blocks lying around into a top/  So far, I've got nothing to show!

I'm loving this block though!  It would be perfect to use for a finished top!!

This is Quiltygirl's theme for the year!  It's hard to let things go--but, it's worth a try!

So..........................I'm letting all those blocks go!

and beginning this top this week!!

Eyes and Ears

   It's full on Winter!  Time to spend time with my favorite things---BOOKS!

For years, I've thought I wanted to read this book--kept putting it off.

Finally, gave in when I saw reviews of Dresden Files--I'm not one for weird story lines but This one is about a wizard--okay, let's try it.  Very interesting so far; this is first in series.  Not decided I'd go for book 2 yet.  I have this in paperback.

This book is the February read with  @Garlene on Instagram where she hosts monthly dishcloth

club with theme.  This year the theme is mystery books--patterns are free.

I decided I would read along this month as I've not read any Joanne Fluke.

Finished!  Love these books--waiting for the last one in series to arrive to Audible. 

Hubby and I are going through Orphan X series.  we finished third book.  Onto the next one--

Fourth cued up!

This is a delightful series I'm reading on Kindle.  First book from Emma's daily 1800s diary.  Onto second diary book. 

This is one for TV viewing--we'll see what the first one is like and decide if we'll continue with witches!!

Read on...................

Let's Knit 2gather!!

 Let's journey through Lent with Victoria Methodist Bristol on their 2026 Lent Knitalong!

For this season, we are knitting a shoulder wrap.

Join in and be mindful of the season of Lent.

You can find the group on Facebook  labeled as Victoria Methodist Bristol Knitalongs group.

Each day brings a different pattern to add to your garment as we use meditation that will be provided.

Another opportunity is 
Instagram @saltcityknits or on the Salt City Knits YouTube channel.  They have a featured shawl to knit for this pray along, but don't see why you can knit any pattern you want as you pray.   Their shawl pattern is lovely!

Sizing and Gauge:

Finished Measurements: 72 in/182 cm wingspan, 20 in/50 cm depth.

Gauge: 22 sts by 32 rows = 4 in/10 cm in stockinette stitch. Gauge is not crucial for this project but difference in gauge will affect total yarn usage and finished measurements.

Materials and Tools:
Yarn: 100 grams of fingering weight yarn with at least 430 yds/ 400 m and 50 grams of laceweight fluffy yarn with at least 400 yds/ 365 m. Sample shown in MC - Yarnbrary Biography Sock in the Lake House colorway and CC - Fantasty Fluff Mohair in the Bronte colorway. I used every bit of the MC in my sample.

Needles: US size 5 needles (3.75 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
2 ring stitch markers.
Darning needle for weaving in ends.
Blocking mat, wires, and/or pins.

For something completely different--Come along to join  SOCK SNAKE KNITTING CLUB!

Tri-axial weaving

 Triaxial weaving?

many moons ago, I became familiar with this technique when I met the author of this book--

Mad Weave by Shereen LaPlantz 

We met when Shereen visited Louisiana to do research on baskets.  My friend and I were her tour guides through the different Native American Indian areas in the state.  We saw many examples of basket triaxial weaving

Her baskets are outstanding.  She gave a fantastic workshop on the technique.   We learned so much from here during her visit and our continued correspondence till her death in 2003.

What is Triaxial weaving? 

This type of weaving is a method of constructing fabric or basketry using three sets of parallel strips that cross at 60 degree angles--unlike two sets used in conventional 90 degree weaving.  Therefore, the structure is called 'Mad Weave' .

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Learning triaxial weaving took me some time--I didn’t see 60 degree angles-- eventually, could see how the warp and weft met.  I wasn't weaving a basket but garments, greeting cards inserts, purses, etc.  It is endless how you use this technique.

After much practice and with Shereen’s approval, I led seminars at our International Weaver’s conference  as well as local groups.  These are some samples from my participants: 

Below is one vest that I used triaxial weaving

Here is front of my vest that I created using hand dyed silk and ribbons.  It's amazing what designs you can achieve!

Here is the back with indigo silk strips.  Using a paper pattern laid out on a stiff board to hold the strips in place

Close up look at silk strips on the back. If you cut your strips on the bias, there is hardly any fraying.  I fun learning experience!