Our Melty Friends

Aren't these the cutest snowpeople you have ever seen?

I've been working on these folks for several weeks during the month of  October/November--

you can find the patterns through FatCat Patterns--they are called "Flakey Friends"

They have been so much fun to assemble and dress--

I'm sorry I didn't begin this QAL sooner--such adorable snowmen with their individually 

designed hats.

Scrappy Hats will finish at 57"x 67"--a real stash buster

and skill builder--

This snowman top is free from Patchwork Posse

It finishes at 50" x 50"--this will be quick and simple

to sew; based on 5" squares and half square triangles.

Jacquelynne Steves has gathered 24 fun snowmen patterns for us

to try--

Salute to our Vets!

Veterans Day, originally celebrated as Armistice Day, was first issued on November 11, 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson a year after the end of World War I. The purpose of Armistice day was to honor the fallen soldiers of The Great War for their sacrifice and bravery. 7 years later in 1926, Congress adopted a resolution requesting President Coolidge issue annual proclamations on November 11, making Armistice Day a legal holiday.

 

In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans rather than just the ones who died in World War I. He led a delegation to General Dwight Eisenhower, who was all for the idea. Weeks then conducted the first Veterans Day celebration in 1945 in Alabama and every year until his death in 1985. In 1982, he was honored by President Reagan with the Presidential Citizenship Medal. Weeks was also named the “Father of Veterans Day” by Elizabeth Dole.

 

Ed Rees, the U.S. Representative from Emporia, Kansas, presented a bill establishing the holiday through to congress. Eisenhower, who was now President and also from Kansas, signed the bill into law on May 26, 1954, 8 and a half years after Raymond Weeks held the first Veteran’s Day. A few weeks later, June 1, Congress amended the bill replacing “Armistice” with “Veterans.” The National Veterans Award was also created in 1954, first received by Congressman Rees for his support in making Veterans Day a federal holiday. Though the holiday is currently and was originally celebrated on November 11, the day was moved to the fourth Monday of October in 1971 due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. However, only 7 years later in 1978, it was moved back to November 11. 

DE-Constructed Turkey......................

No!!  Not that kind of turkey--although later this month we will 

be deconstructing a smoked turkey--on the dinner table!

This kind....

Can you see the turkey in the photo--top, center left--that's the dreaded

pattern Autumn in America with all those paper pieced patterns--

My turkey took all day to sew--all those tiny pieces on paper--

tear off the paper--sew sections together--but, NO,

I've got the thing backwards!  Okay, must de-construct that darn

turkey to make it right--

Now, he's upright and can be added to other blocks--

I think he needs a waddle!

guess what?  I'm still working on those 56 4" leaf blocks that need to

surround the main section.  If I work hard and don't put this project

away to be lost--I could have this finished by Autumn 2020!

NOvember Agatha Read

 One, Two, Buckle My Shoe (1940) 

Hercule Poirot is deathly afraid of the dentist!  It took alot of courage for him

to bring himself to visit Dr. Morley's surgery for an appointment--

of course, hours later the dentist is dead!  How will Hercule

solve this one? 

What to knit with this month's book??

Socks--no less!  and I have a belfry of patterns to choose from--

But, I have the one I'm knitting for November KAL--I'm set for November!

Ever wonder about the poem--"One, Two Buckle My Shoe"?

“One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” or “1, 2 Buckle My Shoe” is a counting song dating back to late 18th century USA.

It was heard for the first time around 1780 somewhere around Wrentham, Massachusetts. However the first published version of this traditional nursery rhyme is found in London in a children songs book called “Songs for the Nursery” that appeared in 1805. A different version of the song appears in 1810 in Gammer Gurton’ Garland aka “Nursery Parnassus”.

The main purpose of the song is to teach kids how to count. Originally the song might describe a regular day of lace-makers who were traditional workers back in the 17th and 18th centuries: 1, 2, buckle my shoe would mean that the workers are getting ready to work; 3, 4 shut the door – the workers are now in their workshop; 5, 6, pick up stick – getting their tools (wooden sticks were tools used at the lance-making machine in the past); 7, 8, lay them straight – fixing the sticks; 9, 10, a big fat hen – one possibility is that is describing a kind of support for the lacework (more like a pillow), or simply it refers at the dinner time as the song continues with references at kitchen and plates.

The lyrics may have much literal interpretation; the truth is that the original meaning of traditional songs like this can be lost back in time, and only suppositions can be made about their real symbols.

“One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” Lyrics

Modern version

One, two,
Buckle my shoe;
Three, four,
Knock at the door;
Five, six,
Pick up sticks;
Seven, eight,
Lay them straight:
Nine, ten,
A big fat hen;
Eleven, twelve,
Dig and delve;
Thirteen, fourteen,
Maids a-courting;
Fifteen, sixteen,
Maids in the kitchen;
Seventeen, eighteen,
Maids a-waiting
Nineteen, twenty,
My plate’s empty

Thirteen, fourteen, draw the curtain,

Fifteen sixteen, the maid’s in the kitchen,
Seventeen, eighteen, she’s in waiting,
Nineteen, twenty, my stomach’s empty

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Warm Things..........................With A Little Mystery

This adventure is designed by Jennifer L Schmidt, Thetford Hill Designs

Of course, you can find this Free pattern KAL on her forum and

in the pattern section, begins November 4.

7 clues in 7 weeks--a total of 70 rounds--different textures and techniques

with easy repeats.

Yarn choices:  fair isle effect yarns, stripes, tonals or any fun skein

"Granny was poor, and made a little money by knitting mittens to sell at Christmas time. She knit all kinds of designs on her mittens and the children loved them. One year, The Store wrote to her that all they had was white yarn! What could she do? Granny cried, and then looked in her pantry. She found red peppermints, black licorice, brown chocolate, yellow lemon drops, and green candies. So she dyed her white yarn with candy that was added to water and was able to knit mittens for the children after all."

Poor Granny Glittens!  

But, what a wonderful knit along!  

Sorry, this began Nov 1--easy to catch up if you have HOT needles!

This is designed by Becky Greene and can be found in I Knit Mittens group--Free!

The November hat is designed by Streelymade Designs

"Flying Geese"

A simple colorwork hat pattern using a 10-stitch pattern repeat. Hat (with pom-pom) uses approx. 160 yards of MC, and 40 yards of CC. Given in one size: Adult S/M (approx. 21-inch circumference).

This pattern is so so so appropriate for me--I'm also sewing

flying geese!!  Why not make them in yarn as well. 

Last Minute Gifts

Need a last minute gift?  One that comes from your hands and heart?

check out Knit Picks free dishcloth patterns--some in knit, some in crochet.

How about a cowl?  Free through Dec. 24th--70 rows--10 rounds

each week--easy to knit and will look fab-U-lous!

Crocheter?  Here is a perfect pattern from With Alex  

"I Wish it would snowflake hat"

Garibaldi is a classic knit ear warmer made with super bulky yarn. It has a unique stitch texture which creates interest in this simple knit. Garibaldi knits up quickly and is ideal for scrap yarn. This is a great knit for an advanced beginner.  Garibaldi is designed by Knitty Pine

This pattern is being offered as a FREE download for the remainder of 2019 on Ravelry

How about a quick mug mat from Crafty Staci?  There are also

some other suggestions--good gift along with a fancy mug!

Gee, It's November Already!!

When you are younger, you think that those dreary days of youth would never end.  Then, you become older and it seems the time flies-----swiftly!  Is it because we are busier?  Or older and see our life flitting away, day by day?  Hour by Hour?  But, we don't slow down..........................just keep on, keeping on.................................Here are some ideas to keep your hands busy, as if you don't have enough on your plate!

This sock, designed by Becky Greene,  is a tribute to all of the women who have worked hard to learn, teach, and share their discoveries about different fields of scientific study. 

This MKAL is for the Sock Knitter’s Anonymous Group on Ravelry.  Join this group if you like to knit socks--always some interesting patterns, most often free!

Clues will be released on:

November 1
November 8
November 15
November 22

SIZES: 7”, 8”, 9”, 10” unstretched circumference. Sock length is adjustable.

One (100 gm) skein of sock yarn should be enough for most sizes. If you are knitting for a large foot, you may wish to have an extra 50 gms available.

And if you whether sew, here one sounds like an interesting mystery..................

Homespun Hearth has a free sew along for you!

 Holidays are coming -- and Agatha & Sherlock want to join in the fun! Those days of Hot Chocolate and Mistletoe, Bows, Ribbons and Cozy Nights by the Fire are Upon Us. These two pals are about to solve a Holiday Launch Party Mystery, and they want you to join them! This is a one-day Free Mystery, and we think this design will get you into the Holiday Spirit!

The Mystery begins at 8:00 Mountain time on Saturday November 16th, 2019 and clues will be released throughout the day into your account until we have solved the mystery.

This is a Free Mystery and the finished quilt measures 69" x 78". To get started, simply add to your cart and check out - the download with fabric requirements and cutting instructions will be available for you in your account as soon as you process your order. All steps will also be added to your account on the day of the event.