Finding the Next Read!

There are my TBR books--sitting on the table, just waiting for the opportunity for someone (me!) to decide on which one to read!

I already begun "Not Quite Dead Yet" by Holly Jackson.

Daughter said it was a good read; kept her on the edge of the seat, quickly turning pages--

not so much for me.  It's an okay book.  I'm reading it at bedtime--and yes, I can put it down!

I'll finish it--I have my ideas about who is guilty..............

Also, started "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" by Holly Jackson.  An okay read--not

earth shaking-- I found out there is a movie--might just watch the movie

"Upward Bound" by Woody Brown.  About three weeks ago, our daughter posted in family chat about Woody Brown from an article she had seen in New York Times.

Then couple weeks after that, Today morning show interviewed Woody and his mother to promote his book.  It sounds intriguing.  How someone who can't talk can write a book.

In March, we had visitors who like to read as much as I do--we took one afternoon to scout out the new bookstore in our neighborhood plus visit resell bookstore-- rewards were gathered!

George Bellaris, whom I'd never heard of, had a huge section of mystery books in the resell shop--written during Agatha Christi's time.

I couldn't find the first in his series of inspector Littlejohn, so picked up

"The Case of the Famished Parson"

dated to the period time but a quick, enjoyable read.  I'll return this book and pick up

another Littlejohn book in the near future.

"Murder Among the Stacks" is part puzzle (word search) part mystery.

This is going to my friend, who loves word searches.

Two other books from resell shop:

Richard Osman "The Bullet That Missed"

Frances Brody "Dying in the Wool"

Both will be quick reads!

Two books by Kathie Lee Gifford are in my pile

I began listening to

"Herod and Mary" on a long road trip.  The audio is read by the author--she has a smoothing voice, 

but on a long driving journey, it was too smoothing!  I found myself getting sleepy so I switched to Rock music!  I decided to finish the book with my eyes!

and her other book

"Nero and Paul"--these are both books based on the Bible.

That's the tangible books I have--not counting the books on my tablet or on Audible or

Everand!  

So many choices!  So little time!

 

Dishcloths Are My Forte

What Makes a good knitted or crocheted dishcloth? 

A good dishcloth is highly absorbent , quick to dry, durable and resistant to odors.    100% cotton fiber is preferred fiber to use. with 100% cotton or cellulose being the top materials. It should be textured enough to scrub food, yet soft enough not to scratch, and machine-washable for easy sanitation. The best dishcloths are sustainable, long-lasting, and hold up well to heat. 

Why knit or crochet dishcloths?

• great to try out new patterns
• make good gifts
• try new yarns
• can be laundered quickly
•  learn new techniques 
• Practice pieces

My favorite dishcloth designer is # Kitchen Sink Shop on Instagram.

Below are a few free patterns that can be knitted in an hour or so.

Not the creator of this pattern but wish I had been!

Everyone should knit at least one of "Grandma's favorite" cloths!

CO 3 sts

- Knit one row

- K1, Kfb, K1 (4sts)

- Start Increasing:

*K2, Yo, Knit to end of row.* Repeat between ** until you have 46sts on your needles.

- Now the tiny short row:

*K2, turn work, K2, turn, K1, K2tog, Yo, K2tog, knit across to end of row.* Repeat between** one more time.

- Now decrease:

*K1, K2tog, Yo, K2tog, knit across to end of row. *Repeat this until you have 4sts left.

- K1, K2tog, K1

- K1, K2tog, BO (pass stitch over). 

Three Easy Dishcloths by Henriette Schwarz

Three dishcloths by Joan James (Ravelry)

leah michelle designs

 

Take up those needles and see what you can create in a matter of minutes. And your dishes will love you! 

These can also be used as face cloths!

Stacks of Blocks!!

This year 2026 is the year of making no more quilt blocks--Why?

Because--there are stacks and stacks of finished blocks, just waiting to be completed into quilt tops.

It's slow going mainly due to the fact, some of the stacks do NOT have all the blocks--

where did they go?  It's not possible I didn't sew them--yes!  In December, there was no sewing--

I'm hoping I saved the instructions otherwise, I'll need to research each one--

just what I wanted to do--NOT!!

Okay, let's begin with this stack--I count and there are 16 blocks--I only need 15.

what to do with that one extra?  I'm NOT going to make two more blocks--

the extra will begin another stack--which could become an 'orphan' top.

Then, it hit me!  I could use that extra block to make it a SQUARE top!! my brain is not engaged!

The more I looked at this top--it bothered me!

What to do?  Frog it!! And make it square quilt. 

All the fabrics are hand dyed.  Also, doing quilt along process.

Quilt the block first, add sashing strips to each side and attach another block.  The question now is to add borders or not?

now!  that looks better and I used all the blocks!  I don't know where my brain was when I was assembling the blocks.  One border added and another on the way.

The best part about this top is it will be finished when I stitch on the binding.

Finished!

I had some leftover blocks that were orphans, so I took them apart and used as backing.

 

Mizuhikie

  The past few weeks my studio has been silent—not much creativity springing forth. My hands have been busy knitting socks as that is a portable project—when your brain is occupied by illness, there is no room for anything else.  Yes, it should be a time to expand your thought waves.  Alas.  Our son has been seriously ill—in hospital then in rehab, then home, back to hospital for second time, home again—he’s been bedridden and accompanied by home care givers, visiting doctors, nurses, PT/OT—our visits have been every day and feeling helpless to make him better.  There was need to “perk” myself up, I rummaged through some boxes stashed in studio closet—out of sight, out of mind!  

In this one box, from 2002 project, there was “Basket Balls”!  Years ago, I wove plenty of these gems; now, years gone, given to friends and family.  One little ball was begun—the box contains plenty of Mizuhikie fiber cords, 2” Styrofoam balls, decorative pins included.  Packaged up for future days!  Those days have arrived!! 

twinning again!  Yes! I’ve not forgotten the technique!  

You can still purchase the special cords; even found a few ‘basketballs’ for sale. 

Mizuhiki is a decorative cord made by rolling Japanese paper into a rope shape and hardening it, and its name comes from the fact that water-based glue is used to harden it.

Made by bundling colorful paper strings in red and white, gold and silver, etc., they are not just decorative in Japan's gift-giving culture, but also serve to convey thoughtfulness and wishes to the recipient.

A twinning I go!  Easy to carry along for a few minutes that are free to twist the cords.  

No Words needed!

 Our three year old great grandson, is living with CDH ( Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia) 

He needs no words to tell us his thoughts or his feelings.  He is non-verbal although his actions speak a million words.

A couple of times we have taken him to school—it’s an early morning for us all.  Monday after his mom’s Spring break was a difficult time for him and her .  They had spent a good week together and it was hard for him to release her to be placed in the car seat—he wanted just one more hug!  Once we were away, he signed once or twice until we turned into his school driveway, he laughed and clapped his hands—he was in his happy place again! 

No words passed his lips—he displayed his thoughts by actions. Maybe, some day he’ll speak words out loud!

Till then, no words are needed! 

Month of April is CDH Awareness.  

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Awareness aims to highlight a serious birth effecting one in 2500 births. April is dedicated to CDH Awareness, with April 19th as the main Awareness Day, featuring landmark light-ups, fundraisers, and advocacy led by organizations like CDH International to support families and fund research.  These young children are definitely "TINY Heroes"!

Our family sponsors a CDH walk for friends and those who wish to shine spotlight on this little known birth defect. 

When you can speak, think of those who measure their words with silent actions. 

No words are needed! 

Knitting Hunger!

 Didn’t know that knitting would make me hungry, but lately there are some patterns that pop up that have food in the name--If you find yourself knitting with hunger pains, here is a way to help --Knit for Food!

Now for some of those delicious food items to easy your hunger pains:

Sweet potato heel (Okay, I'll try a sweet potato heel --what is it?)  Cat Bordhi's short row heel--The sweet tomato heel is a smooth heel, created with short rows but instead of using the increase and decrease sections of the heel Cat Bordhi teaches us how to create “wedges” on the heel. Her wonderful tutorial is on YouTube and teaches us all there is to know about this heel.

Why not give it a try on our next pair of socks!?  The Novus Shortie by Laura Nelkin will be great pattern to use!

Sushi knitting--Sushi knitting involves creating miniature sushi pieces (amigurumi) or themed items like scarves and pillows using yarn, needles, and stuffing. Popular patterns, often created with DK yarn and 4mm needles, include maki rolls, nigiri (tuna, salmon, egg), and sashimi, with techniques requiring knitting in the round, stuffing, and seaming. 

Looks good enough to eat!

Potato Chip scarf--my favorite!  I can't stop eating those potato chips!

 a fast, addictive, and simple knitting project featuring a ruffled, wavy texture created with short rows. Using primarily worsted weight yarn and size 7–11 needles, it is constructed by working 8, 6, and 4 stitches back and forth, then knitting all stitches, making it an easy, repetitive, and popular gift project. 

This is a great knitting project!  Several of these scarves in my knitting agenda!

Common Potato Chip Scarf Techniques

• Structure: It is often knitted as a long, one-piece scarf that curls naturally, resembling a potato chip.
• Short Rows: The ruffles are formed by knitting only a portion of the stitches and turning back, specifically knitting 8 stitches, turning, then 6, turning, then 4, and turning again.
• Yarn/Needles: Typically uses 200 yards of worsted (medium weight) yarn with needles ranging from US 7 (4.5mm) to US 11 (8mm).
• Appearance: Self-striping or variegated yarns are frequently used to enhance the wavy effect.

Basic Pattern Structure

1. Cast On: 18–20 stitches.
2. Row 1: Knit 8, flip/turn, knit 8 back.
3. Row 2: Knit 6, flip/turn, knit 6 back.
4. Row 3: Knit 4, flip/turn, knit 4 back.
5. Row 4: Knit all 18 stitches.
6. Repeat: Repeat these steps until the desired length is achieved. 

No Wonder you can be hungry when knitting!

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!