Yes, as I said, the needles have been busy. Here to begin the roll call are the 'short aprons' that I made for Mom. Just like knitting, I rarely leave sewing patterns alone. The original pattern says to put the vinyl between 2 layers of fabric. Me? I don't think that's necessary. I used only one layer of fabric and one layer of rip stop nylon. That then gave me enough for 2 each out of the amount of fabric I bought. That means we won't have to run laundry multiple times a day. Ahhhhhhhhh the girl thinks things through! And...since she is used to wearing an apron, to rename these as short aprons with a pocket...well, you figure it out if you'd like to wear a bib. Or an apron.
In case you were wondering...she loves them and so do I. I'm thinking down the road I can make all kinds of new aprons with fabric for holidays, etc...And they stitch up veryyyyyyyyyy fast, too!
In AC4C we have a commitment of one project a year. I like to do more, but with the changes in the family this past year, I'm not up to where I'd like to be. However, I just mailed off this Angel's Pocket and a 13" chest size in the Baby Jiffy Knit Sweater for Parkland Hospital in Texas. Both were pretty fast to get knit up. Both were made with Hobby Lobby's Baby Bee Sweet Delights yarn.
In my ongoing quest to refill my NMCRS box, I knit up another NMCRS Basketweave Baby Blanket, V.2 using Caron's Simply Soft. Another pair of Magic Ball socks from Ann Budd's Getting Started Knitting Socks book. This time in Cascade Heritage's Mossy Rock yarn. As I have done so often in the past, I didn't do the upper part of the leg. I just really like how the math is already done with the ribbing down the foot, and so I 'll continue to use that pattern again, and again, and again....
Here is the Vintage Santa Stocking that is now available as a Ravelry download. I used Shepherd's Wool from Stonehedge Fiber Mill to knit this for a friend of mine who wanted one for her new daughter in law. They're now living out of Michigan, but I thought this was a cute idea to knit the stocking from Michigan grown, spun, dyed wool to welcome her into a 'Michigan' family. It will now match the stockings that their Grandma had knit in the past for the rest of the family. It took me a bit of time to find the correct colors as I traveled around Michigan last year. But a relatively short time to knit it up. Oh how I love the feeling of the yarn!
Saturday was the day of the big fireworks here in town. This year we put Mom in her wheelchair and walked downtown for them. This was the 50th Anniversary of the fireworks here in town. My daughter found it amusing that I am now older than the town fireworks. Ha...just wait my pretty! You'll be older down the road, too! For the first time they closed the bridge between the East and West and sent some off of the bridge...here are a couple of more pictures for your firework enjoyment!
I'm still thinking the big black cloud of smoke here wasn't a 'planned' event. But I've not had that verified yet.
Another event we've enjoyed with Mom!
Saturday would have also been Dad's 84th birthday. In his honor I made a 'white' cake and made sure the 'corner piece' was stacked high with frosting! It's been a running joke for many years how Dad always wanted the corner piece at weddings. Granted this one wasn't totally what he wanted, I made it in a "13 x 9" pan, and the sides weren't completely covered, but I do think I got the piled high part pretty good. And I don't make professional type cakes, and don't know how to make his favorite roses, but....gotta say, there was enough sugar to really make my teeth hurt really bad.
Looking forward, here's the picture of the current projects on my needles. Do we see a theme running here? Color-wise at least? The top left, is a project for the 'Event we shall not say out loud' . I'm going to try once again and get my Florence Sweater done. Back 2 years ago that was my plan of the time. But Dad's surgery took a bit longer for him to get through and I didn't get it done. I'm hoping this go round with the 'events' will find my concentration in better condition. We'll see.
While I'm waiting, here's a vest in Sirdar's country style DK that've I've had waiting in the wings for the past 2 years. The ribbing has a decrease before starting the body and the pattern's math is really bad. Note to self, do your own math and you won't have to rip it out 5 times next go around. Using a dk weight is something I've been wanting to do for awhile. I think the finished look in a vest will be a little less 'homemade' and have a great drape to it. This is wool/acrylic/nylon blend and I'm anxious to see how it's going to hold up in the long run. Time will tell!
Can you guess what this is? Ahhhhhhhhhh...Lion Brand....how I love this stuff! (Hey Clint! Can you see what I'm using? Too bad it didn't come from your company~) Anyway....another NYD '05 Kitchen Hanging Hand Towel is under way. Getting that Sample bin filled up I tell ya!
Now, hold onto your hats....this next project is a first.
Can you tell what these are? Yes, they are Two at a time, toe up socks. But they're actually more than that. Do you know what makes these a first? (ok beside the fact that they're magic loop style and toe up)
Here's what makes them a 'first'...after 45 years of knitting, these are being knit in a class! This is the first time I've paid for a knitting class! Last summer my friend Cyndi and I tried to figure out how to knit toe up socks. Tried and tried and tried one night and could.not.get.the cast.on. Man did it make me crazy. Soooooooooo....I bite the bullet and paid for the class. And wouldn't you know it, the moment I got all signed up my daughter ended up needing to leave for a training session for her new job. However, the wonderful teacher came in during the afternoon to sit with me one on one to work with me! I'm so grateful! Yes, at the moment the cast on worked. We'll see how it goes when this pair is finished. I'm hoping I can get them completed before the end of the 4 week class so I can sit with her again and start another one to be certain I've got it. We'll see. I'm just frustrated that after all I've been able to teach myself via books and now the help from the internet that this was one thing that has left me totally stumped.
Oh, I will tell you I'm using Knit one crochet too's Crock-o-dye's yarn in Midnight. I LOVE IT! Merino/silk/nylon blend. Oh, I may have to find some more. It's a delight to feel this yarn running through my fingers while I'm knitting it up. Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-mooooooooooth!
Ok...enough said. Time to hit the hay so I can click the needles again tomorrow. Until next time!
