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....................................

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?

 

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! 

 

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!

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.

Ready to sign up yet?  Go to Audiobooks Sync 
Not sure yet?

Here are the titles for this year, beginning May 7 and running through August 13.  Some of these books could be on the required reading list, but for me, these books are all 'required' reading to my ears! 

And what will be featured this year? 
BEAUTIFUL CREATURES by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (Hachette Audio)
A CORNER OF WHITE by Jaclyn Moriarty (Scholastic Audiobooks)
COURAGE HAS NO COLOR: THE TRUE STORY OF THE TRIPLE NICKLES by Tanya Lee Stone (Brilliance Audio)
CROWS & CARDS by Joseph Helgerson (Brilliance Audio)
DODGER by Terry Pratchett (HarperAudio)
ECHOES OF AN ANGEL by Aquanetta Gordon (christianaudio)
THE EXPLORERS CLUB by Nell Benjamin (L.A. Theatre Works)
THE LIVING by Matt de la Pena (Brilliance Audio)
MARCH by Geraldine Brooks (Penguin Audio)
MONSTER by Walter Dean Myers (Listening Library)
THE RING AND THE CROWN by Melissa de la Cruz (Recorded Books, Inc.)
ROSE UNDER FIRE by Elizabeth Wein (Bolinda Publishing)
UNDER A WAR-TORN SKY by L.M. Elliott (Tantor Audio)
X: A NOVEL by Ilyasah Shabazz & Kekla Magoon (Brilliance Audio)

SYNC Classic Audiobooks

THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN by Mark Twain (Mission Audio)
ANNE FRANK REMEMBERED by Miep Gies & Alison Leslie Gold (Oasis Audio)
AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS by Jules Verne (Tantor Audio)
BUDDHA BOY by Kathe Koja (Full Cast Audio)

DRACULA by Bram Stoker (Naxos AudioBooks)

GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Charles Dickens (Naxos AudioBooks)

HERE IN HARLEM by Walter Dean Myers (Live Oak Media)

JOHN BALL’S IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT Adapted by Matt Pelfrey (L.A. Theatre Works)

LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott (Listening Library)
LORD OF THE FLIES by William Golding (Listening Library)
THE OLD BROWN SUITCASE by Lillian Boraks-Nemetz (Post Hypnotic Press)
THE PERFECT STORM: A TRUE STORY OF MEN AGAINST THE SEA by Sebastian Junger (Recorded Books, Inc.)
REBECCA by Daphne du Maurier (Hachette Audio)
SEA HEARTS by Margo Lanagan (Bolinda Publishing)

And We Start Small...........................

When this Mystery KAL was announced by Jenny Faifel on Ravelry

 I thought--this could be something to use up that stash yarn--"This is a mindless project that will allow you to use up these beautiful leftovers from sock and fingering skeins, especially the handdyed ones! No color sequencing instructions are provided, simply stripe as you please!"

Why not?  There are so many of these odd bits of yarn in the basket and of course, you can't just throw them away--never!

First clue came out and here we go!..............

A few rows at a time--easy peazy!

and we increase till 49 stitches

one side is knit, the other is purl

Okay, a few more rows added......

Actually, I'm not using up enough stash yarn--ready for clue 3--hopefully, it will use more yarn........

Yellow

Yellow isn't really my color!  If I looked into my stash closet, how many yellows do you think you'll find? 

I do have some yellow headed straight pins--which I don't use often.  They seem too thick to me.

I fancy thin pins for sewing!

Well, here is one bin of fabric that contains at least two yellow fabrics, along with browns and my favorite--Orange!

Lookee here, there are two more fabrics with yellow hints of color

And in the yarn stash, we have two--count them--only two!  and of course, they are sitting next to my orange colors--

Yellow roses!  ah perfection of color for a rose.  Every time I see yellow roses, my mind immediately sings "yellow rose of Texas"!

Blooming yellows on the walking path and I love Spring when the first sight is

The blooming of daffodils!