EWESPECIAL

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Spring/Autumn

Even Spring brings some knitting time for the Fall.

Here is a delightful, easy pattern to knit now and

be ready for the fall cool temps.

Knitting Fever

I think this would be suitable for any age or gender.

How about this cute BaaBaa hat? How many do you think you will knit?

check out this free pattern, designed by Donna Smith, at Shetland Wool Week

Heads up! This is a winner!

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Happy! Happy! Happy!

I Love Cookbooks! The more colorful the better! This one makes me very happy when I browse through the pages.

The photos make the foods look so tasty and the stories along with recipes make the food come off the pages. Do I cook these recipes? Not hardly!

I enjoy the staging of the foods, the decorations highlighting each recipe--and looking for weaving designs--like this one with blue and white stripes. It looks so refreshing and you just want to head to your loom and begin warping!

Here's another featured recipe placed on different striping sequence

How about these red and white plaids? Adds some cheery notes to the dish.

and another blue and white cloth, using the blue stripes as edging!

Okay, I'm getting hungry looking at all these recipes.

hope you'll join me and look through your cookbooks--not only for the recipe

but how the dish is staged.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Learning a New Technique

Even though I've been knitting for several years now, there are so many techniques I do not use or even try to learn. But, when it came time to work on our Springtime in Paris pattern, the first cast on line was "With MC, using a Provisional Cast On, cast on 196 sts"! Say What?!! I haven't the foggiest idea how to do this. As all good instructors do, they include a YouTube video that is very helpful.

https://youtu.be/8XIr2GiqjQg

and now, I can do a provisional cast on over another needle! Hurrah for me!

A cast on designed to create live stitches on both sides of the cast on. There are several options for working it but my preference is the circular cable needle style.
Video:
https://youtu.be/8XIr2GiqjQg

At first, it was very awkward--two needles side by side--cast on over one stationery needle--okay--did it--not once but twice! Practice makes perfect, right?!

And I'm diggin' this pattern--lots to keep one's interest as we knit.

Oh, we're adding beads too. I'm behind with the clues, of course. Almost finished with clue 2 as clue 3 comes out.

At first, I used a needle that didn't have the thingie attached at the ends--big mistake! So, I got up from my chair and marched upstairs to find the stoppers--am glad I did--no more stitches falling off!

And we are knitting....................................

Monday, April 20, 2015

I Live Here

Here is where I live................

I live where hot air balloons float over the house on a cool morning.............

I live where the bluebonnets take to the fields in the spring time.............

I live where longhorn steers are common.................

I live where crawfish is a party on a weekend...............

I live where you can find the best BBQ joint just around the corner..........

I live where you can that perfect pink cowgirl hat............

I live where the greatest rodeo/show happens...........

I live where cowboys still exist.............

I live here where my family and friends are!

How about you?

Sunday, April 19, 2015

OOPS................................

Yelp! OOPS says it all! I'm working on April block from

Pat Sloan's mystery QAL 'Vacation Time'

and I'm using western fabrics

My brain was definitely in a fog when I made this block!

Here! This is much better--I think!

The pattern is quick and easy (if your brain is in the right gear!)

Here is the second block==really not too sure I like this one either--just might change those 1/2 square triangles out--after my brain fog clears!

Saturday, April 18, 2015

A Group of Friends Create...................................

Here we are--750+ knitter friends! All working and designing our own shawl pattern through the efforts of designer Maria Rosa Spighetti. We have worked through

yarn weight (fingering weight was chosen)
how many colors (two)
what shape (crescent)
how to obtain that shape (short rows)

This has been fun adventure! Maria Rosa is an excellent designer so she is taking our voting choices and designing this shawl pattern for us. You can check it out on Ravelry under the group Maria Rosa Knits Away.

Wait! You're not a member of Ravelry yet? No problems--it's free! Just go to the website and join in the fun! Lots of exciting things happen on that website for all textile folks--knitters, those who crochet, dyers, quilters, surface designers--I guarantee you--a great time surfing! so join in the fun!

Friday, April 17, 2015

Life Changing Books

Every spring and summer I have the pleasure of downloading wonderful audio books! All Free!

There are classics and young adult books (meant to get them reading)!

Here's how it works........

Download Details

Downloads are in MP3 format, hosted by OverDrive, and are Mac and Windows compatible.
Downloads will operate through the OverDrive app.
Most listening devices are supported.
Each SYNC audiobook will be available for download for a period of 7 days (only).
Titles, once downloaded, are yours to keep.