Thursday, April 30, 2015

Selvedges in Knitting

We're back on the topic of selvedges.  this time in Knitting!  Have you ever thought that you must make your selvedges work just right?  Of course, you have!    I found this site Tricksy Knitter very helpful.
Here is a simple chain slip on this shawl selvedge

 
How about a crochet edge to finish off your selvedge?
On this shawl I used garter stitch on the border.
There are so many interesting stitches to use for that added feature on your knit wear.
Happy stitching!

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Clouds.

Have you ever lain in the grass and looked skyward and to see what cloud shapes you can imagine?
What fun that is.............................."oh, I see an elephant" "that shape looks like a clown".............
We look towards the clouds to bring us relief on a sunny day--
"Thank goodness, that cloud blocked the sun"
 
 
 
clouds give us reflections of the setting sun
clouds fill the sky with light fluffy puffs--
I don't know the name of the cloud shapes
but
 
I'm always happy to see some of those puffs on a clear blue sky day!

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Love IS...............................

Love Letters--what is love?  Is it tangible?   powerful?  words?  Thoughts?  Suggestions? 
Well, I do LOVE Chocolate!  Is that wrong?!!

I LOVE receiving love letters and cards!

 
LOVE is wrapping a quilt around a friend in need!
Why is LOVE always shared as a heart? 
Love is beautiful,
Strong emotion,
Feeling,
For anyone
Who opens their soul
How do you LOVE?
 
 
 

Monday, April 27, 2015

Simple Pleasures

Simple Pleasures include finishing March's pattern
for the Year long Scarf project!  Yes, I know I'm behind a month............................................but I'll catch up soon!


Here is April pattern:

DIAGONAL MADEIRA LACE
#4. Diagonal Madeira Lace (multiple of 4): 68 beads and 46 total sts on the needle.
NOTE FOR PLACING BEADS: you will be placing beads on the ‘Slip one, K2TOG, psso’ stitches. Place the bead in the K2TOG stitch and be sure that the slipped stitch is passed over the K2TOG stitch AND the bead. This will anchor the bead in place. You will need 68 beads for this pattern section. If you have strung your beads onto your yarn before beginning, detailed instructions for how to insert the beads can be found in Post #617.
NOTE: There are two versions of the pattern. Be sure to mark the version you are working on.
Non-Beaded Version:
Row 1: K2, +YO, Sl 1, K2TOG, PSSO, YO, K1; rep from + to last two sts, K2.
Rows 2, 4, 6, and 8: Purl.
Row 3: K2, +K1, YO, Sl 1, K2TOG, PSSO, YO; rep from + to last two sts, K2.
Row 5: K1, K2TOG, +YO, K1, YO, Sl 1, K2TOG, PSSO; rep from + to last 5 sts, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K2.
Row 7: K2, K2TOG, +YO, K1, YO, Sl 1, K2TOG, PSSO; rep from + to last 4 sts, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K1.
Rep the above eight rows 3 times more (4 times total).

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Happy Birthday!!

Today we celebrate the birthday of my lover, constant companion, daddy to my children, breadwinner, my  soul mate.........................................................Even though we were married young, our lives have evolved together.  So, today I wish my Hubby a Happy Birthday!
The young Dan on our wedding day in 1963

And the man today!
Love you! 
More every year!

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Linen Warp, Silk Weft


It is my good intention to finish this warp before the end of April--we have 6 days and counting.


What we have here is linen warp, set at 30 epi (ends per inch).  I used some handspun 2 ply brown cotton to space the warp after tying onto the beam.


Of course, there is Always a threading error when I weave--can you see it?  I use a straight pin to attach it back into the warp and anchor


we are weaving with handspun single silk--and there is another error--in fact, two errors to deal with.


Cut that off and begin again.  The trouble with this warp is that I used two different weights of linen, which means when in the dent the smaller warp doesn't fill in the space as well as the larger warp--make sense?


Here you can see the trouble--I also did a free form twill reverse threading and without thinking got the heddles to close--e.g.. 1-2-3-4-3-4-3-4--
Not going to take it out now--tomorrow I'll cut this off and begin again--sett at 24 epi
maybe, that will work better.
Wish me luck!

Friday, April 24, 2015

Trees--Searching for Roy G Biv 4 - Green

Well, what do you know--Today is National Arbor Day!  So, we are writing about Trees!  You know those tall green things that shed their leaves in the fall, gives us lovely yellow pollen in the spring!
Are you ready!  Let's go--Green is calling my name!  And we are searching for.................................

Roy G. Biv, also ROYGBIV, is an acronym for the sequence of hues commonly described as making up a rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet.


I feel for those who are colorblind--my husband is one--he can't see green--what a pity!  Green is so refreshing to look at--green is new growth in the springtime.  Green means money!  Green is a young cowhand--I'm celebrating Arbor Day with Green

Here are the greens from my yarn closet--
 
 

Just look at the different greens you can see in the field

Did you ever think there was this many greens in one place?
There are greens in my floss collection

Greens in my fabric stash

I stopped in the local paint store to pick up greens, but these cards certainly didn't photograph green.
close to brown is green?
Check out more greens at  

It's Time--

 It’s time to think about greeting cards I’ll send out this year.  Most years, if I’m not feeling pressed, I’ll create my own cards.  One ye...