UFOS = WIPs

 There were pieces of red, white and blue languishing in my UFO pile--finally, I picked up my courage and tackled it and Finished!  Well, sort of--it still needs backing with some quilting and binding.  I feel good that I got this far.

Here is a handspun scarf that also lingered in my stash--it was all knitted from this fiber I spun in 2018--all it needed was to block and weave in the tail ends.  Why do I let these things just wait and wait to be finished!  I blocked this lovely scarf, wove in the tails and it will be given as a gift.

Okay, these little critters were finished before Christmas and I gave them to

my weaver friends--there were 10 lambs/ewes and 10 llamas--

this is what I have left in my flock.  I found them on Ravelry last summer--

don't remember what merchant--bad I know!  

I knitted the sweaters for the guys--some from handspun.

Now, they just roam on my desk.

Handspinning.............Revolves

Since I'm in the process of de-stashing my fibers--spending time each day to spin at least a few
yards when possible.
Here is a cute video that shows revolution in spinning...
Enjoy!!

The Secret Adversary..................................History

It's time to read another Agatha book--this is the second book she published--we move away from  Poirot to  a young couple Tommy and Tuppence

"The Great War is over and jobs are scarce. Tommy Beresford and Prudence "Tuppence" Cowley, who were friends before the war, run into each other in London and discover they are both equally short of money and opportunities. On a whim, they decide to start a business, advertising themselves as "The Young Adventurers." Their first job leads them into a series of increasingly dangerous situations involving international spies, a society beauty, a Russian count, the wreck of the Lusitania, an amnesia patient, an American millionaire, and a fiendishly clever arch-criminal known only as "Mr. Brown." By the time the dust settles, all the puzzle pieces have been fitted together--and the young couple have realized their feelings for each other and have become engaged."

For reading a free copy online at pagebypagebooks
The Secret Adversary

For listening to free audio online
archive.org

Book Covers, Jackets

How did the Lusitania get its name?

The ship’s owners the Cunard Line commonly named their vessels after Roman provinces with the Lusitania so being called after the Roman Iberian province to the north of the Strait of Gibraltar while her sistership RMS Mauretania was named after the Roman North African province on the south side of the strait.Wiki

This will be my knit along with this book--

French Night Cap by Esther Short 

Further information

This is an historically accurate pattern, published in 1850, brought up-to-date for the contemporary knitter. The original pattern was published in The Ladies’ Work-Book, 3rd edition published by George Slater, London. This original night cap pattern may be the same pattern used in simple headwear for all occasions. The double layer of wool makes it warm and flexible even providing a place in the floppy top for small personal items while working out of doors. This hat, knitted in red or blue, may be worn by re-enactors looking for an authentic Voyageur hat.

DO You Tube???

Either you love Youtube or you hate it!  I've found some useful articles, photos and videos on this popular social network.  Do you want to learn how to embroidery?  Follow along with this lovely
work on Youtube:
  I do hate hate the ads that keep popping up!

Are making some unusual ornaments--no words but you can get the directions clearly



And how about some laughs--my favorite!

Happy Valentine's Day

via GIPHY

HAPPY VALENTINE DAY!

Knitwear.............

 Love that I can finish one clue

for a couple of the KALs

 and also have time to completely knit

something else

I love knitting lace and Elizabeth Ravenwoods 

Estonian Flower Garden patterns are going to be

so wonderful--here is the beginning of the January block on the left

and on the right photo is the finish of January and February

The yarn is Knit Picks Lace weight--love the feel of this wool/silk yarn

Toni L Lorenz has an Estonia Sampler going for 2020--

I found this lovely white lace weight yarn in my stash and

combined with pearl beads, I've got a soft feeling beginning 

for this shawl!  

Here is February section--there are lots of Nupps!  Okay, I've resigned myself to

doing these tedious stitches--hope not to drop any of the yarn overs!

How about a heart pattern in time for Valentine Day--it's easy peasy and fast knit from

purls and pixels

Books! Books! Books!

Let's talk books--yes, we can talk books forever as far as I'm concerned!  I love books--the smell of the paper--oh yes, you can read on a screen, but there is nothing like turning the page in a book!

We have many shelves throughout the house filled with books!

There are books for reading, books for research, picture books,

children books, silly books, serious books, books for

fiber, etc.

Our granddaughter received a book for her Christmas gift and she

was so happy--needless to say, she is 29 years old-- she

is still excited to begin reading this specific book--she thumbed through the

pages and ahh, the smell of fresh ink rose to my nostril--and I

was happy also! 

I picked up these two books to add to my reading list;

recommended by fellow blogger.

Paulette Jiles:  "News of the World"--a post civil war Texas book--

I'm reading this book now and can't put it down!  

I've read couple of other Paulette books which were quite interesting.

Williams Kent Krueger:  "This Tender Land"  a story from 1932, an

adventure with orphan lads--I'm familiar with Krueger's writing

about Cork O'Connor mysteries--all taking place in Minnesota

Just received this one from Paperback swap the

other day--first few pages are page turners!!

You don't have to read only with your eyes--you can listen to a book!

We listened to this terrific book about Sam Houston and

the history of Texas as we traveled--made the trip seem short--

How can you read more books in 2020??  Seven Easy Habits suggestions from

Scott Young-- if you follow these habits, you can read more books--

Read, Read, Read