Garden Update

We planted our seeds about 2 weeks ago now.  I was a little nervous considering how long it took for my pansies to grow. But within days we had some growing going on.  I'm wondering if it had something to do with the quality of the organic seeds we decided on.   The first to sprout was the spinach.

The little "greenhouses" Harry came up with seemed to work.  Who would think of a 30 cent greenhouse?  It worked well for the first week because after that the other plants took off.  And took off fast.  So fast that the lid came off the greenhouses. 

The next to grow was the cucumbers, followed by the gourds, baby pumpkins and finally the large pumpkins.  This weekend we will plant the lettuce (when I went to plant it with the rest of the seeds the packet was empty - I called High Mowing and they immediately sent replacements). I'm still mulling over where to plant it.  I fear if we put it in the garden the rabbits will find it and that will be the end.  So I'm thinking of planting it right in my flower boxes on the back deck.  They are about 6 inches deep.  Harry doesn't think it will grow well in there.  I think it will be fine.  Any opinions from you more experienced gardeners? 

Right now the only pest we have to keep out of the plants is this one.

Amazingly curiosity hasn't gotten the best of her and she has stayed out.  Let's see how long that lasts.

Thankful Thursday

I'm still reading 1000 Gifts and it's such a good reminder to be thankful. Sometimes I have a difficult time with that. Today I'm thankful that my thumbs have actually turned a bit green this spring. Here's the pansies I planted in my office.



It took a couple of weeks but they are growing!


That's not the only thing that's growing. I'll have a full garden update tomorrow.

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Yarn Along

Joining Ginny today for Yarn Along

I actually finished this book a couple of days ago, but I'm kinda going through it again before I go see the movie this week.

I can't wait to start the second one in the series.  I have to get back to Living Simple and make some headway there.  It is actually more of a reference book than anything, so I will probably always keep it on my coffee table.

I sat down Monday night and figured out how to fix Elowen and the stitch count.  I'm now onto the contrast color.

It's really difficult to see progress.

Maybe because mentally I am ready to move on to the next shawl. And I still need to stash dive and figure which colors I'm using for Color Affection.

OK - time to go over to Ginny's blog and check out what the others are knitting and reading!

Spinning Jupiter

A couple of weeks ago I started spinning Drops of Jupiter.  It took me way longer than it normally would to spin 4 oz.  I can sometimes get that done in an evening depending on how thick I spin it.  I was spinning Jupiter on the thin side with the intention of making a three ply yarn.  I wanted to over-ply it as to make a stronger sock yarn which seems to have worked well for me in the past.

Sunday evening I finally had it all spun and ready to ply.

Within an hour it was all done and soaking. I hung it by the fire to dry (yes - it's cold enough again to have the wood stove up and running).  I was able to take some photos yesterday when it was sort of dry.

I think I plied it enough so it will be durable.

I am anxious to cast on some socks with it.  A simple ribbed pattern will work great.  And I think I got enough yardage to make it work if I make the socks short.  I might even make the heel and toes from another yarn just to make sure.  But I  have time to think it over.  I still have two other pairs to finish plus my Elowen - which I tackled last night and am well on my way to finishing.

Currents

listening - the cat thumping on the floor with her new cat nip toy


eating - just finished a piece of chocolate


drinking - water with lots of ice


wearing - grey comfy sweats & green waffle shirt


weather - chilly compared to last week but hey - it's only March


knitting - second sock on both pairs I have been knitting and trying to figure out how to continue on the Elowen since I am way off on the stitch count


wanting - to start another pair of socks with the handspun that I just finished plying


needing - to finish carding the fleece I have.  Or I won't be buying another one this spring at the sheep and wool festivals


enjoying - watching this.  Oh my gosh check it out - it's addicting


looking forward - to seeing The Hunger Games this week (yes I did finish the book and it was really good)


wondering - if the catnip I planted 2 weeks ago is ever going to grow

Excuse the Interruption

There is no blogging today. We are knee deep in



Desperately trying to finish reading by the weekend so we can go see the movie. I know - most of you have finished this and the sequels ages ago. What can I tell ya? We're a little late over here. Have a great weekend!

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Green Thumbs

We received our order from High Mowing Seeds a couple of weeks ago.  I had been procrastinating planting them - I had to get the dirt, buy something to plant them in, and figure out a way for Ms. Kitty to not dig them all back up.  Hubby had a brainstorm.  He bought some aluminum trays with plastic lids which will act as a greenhouse.  So Nicole and I planted this weekend.

I filled them with dirt and she planted the seeds.  We planted gourds, watermelon, cucumbers, spinach, large and small pumpkins, and lettuce.

Hubby is in charge of the tomatoes - he usually buys them as plants (we haven't had much luck with seed) and the eggplant.

What have you planted this year?

Yarn Along

I'm joining Ginny in her Yarn Along today. Have you checked that out?  You really should.  Not only can you see all the incredible things people are knitting, but Ginny has been nice enough to compile a list of  all the books we have been reading.  I'm sure there are a few on that list that are going in my B&N wishlist.

Socks are being completed slowly but surely.  I spent Monday night catching up on CJ Kopek and The Knitgirllls and knitted on the socks until 1:00 AM.  I payed yesterday because when I sat down last night to knit on the blue sock with those tiny size 1 needles my hand was in pain.  It simply hurt to knit.  So I knit nothing.  Tonight is Nicole's chorus concert at school so I am hoping to start the second green sock (those are being knit on size 2s which I don't have to grip as tightly).

How do you like those iPhone car photos?  That's what I was reduced to this morning.  The fog was awful and the inside lighting just washed all the photos out.  I noticed when I put my basket in the car this morning that the light was actually good.  So there you have it.  Improvise when necessary.

Innermost House

I saw this on Heather's blog a month or so ago.  I was intrigued by it.  At first my claustrophobia screamed "No way - I could never enter this house".  After watching the short video clip I got to thinking.  It was so peaceful. But why?  Was it the lack of clutter, the simplicity, the woods, no electricity?  While I know I could not live like this long term, a retreat of sorts would be serene.

Thoughts?

Weekend Outdoors

We had beautiful weather, as has most of the country lately.  I'm cautiously optimistic because this is New England ya know - snow and cold can happen at a moments notice anytime until May.  It was nice to walk around the property after being inside for so many months.

My bird friends are coming out to visit

I even spotted a lumberjack!

And my daffodils are growing

What did you see outside this weekend?

Heavenly Morning

Not quite. You'll notice my computer monitor in the background so it's really a work day for me. I love my job, but I would love to be knitting and catching up on some podcasts. Which is exactly what I will be doing this weekend. I may even get to do that out on my deck since the weather is supposed to be lovely.

Happy Friday to you!

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Simplicity, Work and Enjoyment

I saw this video and was amazed by this woman.  I don't think I'm as flexible as she is and I'm half her age.  I love her philosophy.  Simply beautiful at 95 years old.

My friend Maia from julia warr on Vimeo.

Yarn Along

This week I am joining Ginny on her Yarn Along.

Knitting:

I ripped the heel out and after watching a tutorial on how to do an afterthought heel from the KnitGirlls and will tackle that tonight during the Celtics game. 

Reading:

I started it a few months ago and got sidetracked.  It's a true story about a city girl who falls in love with a farmer, gets married and moves to a farm in Vermont.  I'm trying to finish by the weekend since I ordered this yesterday. 

Why can't I live without sleep?  I have said for years that I could get so  much more accomplished. 

Drops of Jupiter

While catching up on old episodes of The Knit Girllls I saw some lovely fiber Leslie had bought.  The colors were amazing and it looked like it was fun to spin.  I assumed the Etsy seller didn't have any more since this had been over a year ago, but when I clicked on Giggle Jelly's site I saw it and had to have it. 

I ordered it on Thursday and on Saturday this was in my mailbox.  80% merino, 20% tussah silk. 

I unrolled it and tried to decide how I wanted to spin it.

I settled on seperating the colors and spinning them on three bobbins.  My goal is to spin socks with it so I am going with a slighly over spun three ply yarn. 

That worked well when I spun the Blue Moon Fiber Arts Sheep to Shoe kit.  It came with 8.5 oz. of fiber and I had more than enough yarn to knit 2 pairs of socks.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that 4 oz. will get me at least one pair.

Currents

listening - the morning news


eating - nothing yet but contemplating some oatmeal


drinking - water with lemon



wearing - black pants and bright blue shirt


weather - going to be beautiful and sunny today.  Supposed to be in the 60s but probably only in the 50s here because the water is still so cold

knitting - 2 pair of socks and the Elowen shawl.  Started spinning some new fiber yesterday that I am in love with


wanting - to get my body clock back to normal after the time change


needing - to clean some clutter in my bedroom.  This is what happens when Spring gets closer


enjoying - the pressure is off since we found Nicole's prom dress (and the shoes, and accesories) and that task can get checked off


looking forward - a whole night of basketball later on.  Bulls at 8, Celtics at 10:30


wondering - if I will still be awake at 10:30 to actually see the Celtics

Spring Ahead

We turn the clocks ahead this weekend. A sure sign that Spring is approaching. Another sign - I switched my candle at the office from Pumpkin Buttercream to



Enjoy your weekend!

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Elowen Update

My Elowen Shawl is coming along.  I made awesome progress over the weekend, spending most of Sunday knitting on it (I justified the all day knitting marathon in my head).  We started with this.

The balls of yarn were sock blanks from Knit Picks that I dyed myself and had sitting in the stash. 

It grew to this.

I'm still on the first ball of yarn and I'm liking the color changes.  It's been a no brainer so far - the pattern was easily memorized after a couple of repeats.  I always get intimidated by charts for some reason. 

I'm thinking by the weekend I should be up to using the Kroy Sock.  I'm anxious to see how the colors work together.  And I'm loving how the sock yarn stash is slowly dwindling.

Socks and Shout Outs

First - some shout outs

A huge thank you to Marly Bird from the Yarn Thing Podcast.  She was nice enough to promote my Raspberry Cowl pattern on her blogtalk radio show yesterday. I remember Marly when she first started podcasting back in 2007.  Since then she has become a well respected knit and crochet designer with her patterns published in books and magazines, teaches at venues such as TNNA, and is the Creative Director for Bijou Basin Ranch Yarns.  To have her admire my spinning and mention my pattern and blog was such a tremendous compliment.  Give a listen to the podcast when you get a chance.

Another designer I have known for years and is accomplishing great things is Gina House.  Again, we met over the internet via podcast and she amazes me how far she has become as a designer.  We have gotten to know each other and meet up when she comes to RI or I go to NH.  Her second book,  Wonderlace, is due out soon.  She also has her own App now.  How cool is that?  Besides being able to see what Gina is up to, it has several free patterns on it.  The app itself - is FREE.  How can you beat that?  I love it!

Onto some socks. 

OK - I need some opinions here.  I knit my socks one at a time, cuff down, on circulars.  I turn my heel, pick up the gusset stitches and off I go almost without thinking anymore.  For the first time I have an issue. 

Are we seeing this?

Excuse poor Iphone photo.  Hubby has the camera.  The colors flow so nicely then all of a sudden - BAM.  A big black spot.  It looks so out of place.....

So I'm thinking I'm going to rip it back and perhaps do an afterthought heel.  What do you do for your heels? 

Ten on Tuesday

I read Carole's post today and it made me laugh.  I had just cleaned out my purse yesterday so I can easily name 10 things in there.

10 Things In Your Purse

1.  Knitting. It's usually a pair of socks but sometimes I can fit the beginnings of a shawl in there.
2.  Lipstick.  I don't put it on until I get in the car and I never know what mood I might be in, so I bring them all (4 different ones).
3.  Wallet.  Right now I have a nice long one that matches my bag and fits everything I need in there.
4.  My Nook.  I'm trying to get better with reading and it's great to pull out and knit while I read if I get a spare moment.
5.  Deposit tickets.  I don't write many checks but I do make frequent deposits, so I just keep a stack in my purse (you would think that would mean I have a lot of money in there but alas, so not true).
6.  My Iphone.  It goes everywhere with me.  And like I said, I rarely use it as a phone.
7.  Tweezers.  As I get older, there is a lot of miscellaneous tweezing of the face going on at any moment in time.  My friends of European descent will understand this.
8.  Pens.  I keep a varied assortment in there.
9.  Eyeglasses and sunglasses. 
10.Camera.  If I have it with me, I take more pictures.  And that makes the blog more fun!



Currents

listening - To the Bulls game (the Celtics already kicked booty today so I'm listening/watching my second favorite team)

eating - just had a leftover piece of ice cream cake

drinking - water with lemon

wearing - my green waffle shirt with black sweat pants

weather - seasonable, but with a spring like promise of near 60 at weeks end

knitting - making some decent head way with the Elowen shawl

wanting - to plant some of the vegetable/flower seeds I got in the mail from High Mowing Seeds

needing - to clean the house a bit after neglect due to excessive knitting this past weekend

enjoying - seeing the cat play with her new Kitty Kong filled with catnip

looking forward - catching up with Round the Twist Podcast

wondering - when I can get some time to spin on my wheel

Raspberry Cowl

After looking and petting my purdy raspberry yarn that I finished spinning, I decided it was so soft it was worthy of sitting on my neck.  I'm not a huge scarf fan, so a cowl of sorts is what I was aiming for.  I knit and frogged several patterns but none of them worked with the yarn.  So of course, I had to knit my own thing.  Shocking huh?  Behold the Raspberry Cowl.

It's actually a long loop

And the great part

It's long enough to keep my neck warm AND my ears too.  Absolute love.

Close up.  I love the way the colors came together.  You really can't beat hand spun yarn.

The pattern was simple and it's a great stash buster for that soft hand spun you have in your stash but don't quite know what to do with it.  I started with 8 oz.  Store bought yarn in a bulky weight would work well too.

I'm working on putting the pattern in a PDF with a link on the side bar.  If anybody wants me to email them the PDF just let me know in the comments. 



Raspberry Cowl

Materials

-approximately 300 yards of bulky yarn (I used hand spun)

-US size 11 (-- mm) 24” circular needle

-tapestry needle


Directions


Using US size 11 24” circular needle cast on 150 stitches with long tail cast on method

Join in the round and place marker

Rows 1-2 Purl

Rows 3-10 Knit

Rows 11-13 Purl

Rows 14-23 Knit

Rows 24-26 Purl

Rows 27-35 Knit

Rows 36-37 Purl

Bind off loosely

Weave in ends

On The Needles

What's NOT on my needles would be a better question.  I have a case of startitis like never before.  Besides working on the socks I had found over the weekend, I cast on another pair.

Why?  Well, the other pair is a rib pattern, which I have to somewhat pay attention to.  These are knit and knit and knit and require very little attention.  I can knit and do other things at the same time with these babies.

I cast on my Elowen shawl last night.  This requires following the pattern and a lot of attention.  I am about 16 rows in and I think I have the main section memorized so I think it will go a bit faster. 

I also discovered Pipers Journey by Paula from the Knitting Pipeline.  I am using great restraint here to not cast this on, as I think it won't require much attention and I can also multi task with this project.  Speaking of Knitting Pipeline, how many of you listen to Knitting Podcasts?  I have a bunch that I listen to.  I will devote an entire post to that one day. 

It also occurred to me that my niece's birthday is in 3 weeks and I promised her a new blanket to go with her new room.  Time to warp the loom...