CHRISTMAS, GARDEN and KNITTING

Christmas came and went quietly here, but what colors it has left behind.  The blue poinsettia is a gift from my son and daughter-in-law, J.  They cooked up a prime rib, twice-baked potatoes, green beans, and apple pie dinner that left us full and satisfied.  Thank you to them.  Orson and Hunter gleefully got the bones to chew.  Although I think Orson buries them after awhile.  My sister, C flew from LA to Vancouver, WA and spent the holiday with her daughter.   Other family joined them for Christmas day festivities.  I made these scarves as a surprise gift - one for each female in the party- their choice. 

These scarves were made from the stash of novelty yarn given to my by S from Willows.  Thanks again.  I used size 13 or 15 needles and garter stitch, drop stitch pattern.  They went together in a flash.  Would love to have a few pics of them being worn.   I also spent some time in Redding with my other sister, H and her shadow, Bing Bing. 

If you look carefully, you can see her tree is decorated with little shoes.  If you knew my sister, H, and my other sister, C, you would know the significance of the shoes.  Very fitting for those two shoe lovers. (sorry for the pun)

In-door cat, Bing Bing wasn't easy to photograph.  She's usually on the move, her toys scattered through out the house for her to play with. Her favorite place for serious sleep is in H's closet on the shoes, naturally.

Back home the garden continues to grow even though we've had some freezing temperatures at night.  This is lettuce which is ready to pick and the spinach will be ready soon. I think I'll make some vegetable soup.  The roses continue to bloom, too. This one had fallen off the stem, but still retained its beauty as it deteriorated.  Nature, amazing.

With all the shopping, wrapping, mailing, eating, etc. of the holidays, I've still managed to continue my knitting.  Anyone who knits, knows you can't stop knitting.  Even while you're working on a project you're thinking about the next one.  The Internet has an abundance of knitting sites where people share the ideas, concerns, and patterns.  One of my favorites is Ravelry which links you up to patterns submitted by knitters and crocheters from around the

world.  What a concept!! 

This hat is called Layla Classic Tam by Elizabeth Carls.  The pattern can be found here: http://www.elizabethcarls.com/Layla%20Tam.pdf

It's knit in the round using worsted weight yarn.  The pattern gives cute suggestions for using knitted flowers and vintage buttons as embellishments.  Easy to knit. 

You can tell by this scarf that I have a big stash supply of worsted weight yarn.  I didn't have to buy any yarn to make this scarf.  The pattern can be found here: http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-sheepish-pattern-color-card-scarf.html

Vickie Howell has a terrific web site with lots of free patterns for the needle crafter. 

She's associated with Caron yarns.  The pattern uses their Sheepish line of yarn and calls for size 7 needles.  I had to bump up to a size 9 needle and made each stripe 1 1/2 inches in order to get a scarf that was a little over 60 inches long.  Of course there are a lot of ends to weave in after you're done knitting, so I did a few as the scarf grew longer. 

Another version of this hat was in my last blog - the Mandelbrot hat from the Knitty site. http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwbis11/KSPATTmandelbrot.php 

Again I knit this with two strands of worsted together, one plain, the other variegated - the pattern calls for a bulky yarn.  I also knit the whole hat flat then sewed it together.  The pattern calls for the brim to be knit flat and the remainder knit in the round.  My way is easier for me and still looks great, even on the horse's skull. The hats and scarf are going into the bin for next Christmas.  I have to say I hope next Christmas the shopping public will be more peaceful.  Hurting someone over a pair of shoes or an electronic device stinks.  What are people thinking? As much as I can, I shop on line.  Thank you Macy's, Penny's, and Amazon. 

I hope this blog finds everyone well and looking forward to 2012 even though it's an election year and the daily news about the candidates is depressing for showing their lack of class.  I'd like to thank the person who invented the TV remote with a mute button. 

Keep on knitting and crocheting - it keeps you calm - a glass of wine or beer works, too.  See you next year.



Traveling Birds, Crochet Baby Blanket, and Knitting

Greetings!  Santa came early this year and brought me a new camera.  Thank you, Santa!  I guess I've been pretty good this year and don't have too many demerits.  Our demerits were posted for all to see when I was attending Toyon Elementary School - everyone knew when you had been a stinker or had done something dumb.  This camera is a step up from my other one so I'm excited to get busy taking pictures.  I took it with me on my last trip to Elk Creek and on the way home stopped to take pictures of migrating swans and geese.   These ponds are on the outskirts of Willows in Glenn County.  My approach caused the geese to take flight.  After I left, they settled right back down on the water.  The swans, however, didn't mind my presence.  Have to remember they're wild creatures not used to human beings.  As you can see, I've figured out how to make my photos bigger.  I like this feature a lot. 

On to the crochet baby blanket.  This is a very special blanket crocheted by my niece, D, who was taught crocheting by her daughter, L, who crochets lovely afghans.  This blanky was D's first crocheting project and was made with care for her best friend's daughter's first baby - blue for a baby boy. This pattern can be found here:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hooded-baby-blanket---crochet  It's a blanket with a little hood in one corner to keep baby's head extra warm.  Lovely, lovely - so proud of D for working so diligently on this project.  What's next, D?

Grandpa and baby in blue blanket.

I continue to knit but have been thinking about brushing up my crocheting skills.  I'm a self taught crocheter and have been thinking about scarves made with granny square variations... or a combination of knitting and crochet.  So, I bought this book by Sarah Kagan - Crochet Inspiration.  If you watch for it, Joanne fabric and craft store has books at 30% off.  They also allow you to use their 40% coupon on books, something that Michael's no longer does.  This is a terrific book - starts with the basics and moves on to the the fancy.  I'll let you know how it goes.  So many ideas - sometimes I get bogged down as to what to do next.

 I

I just finished another ribs with a cable on the side scarf.  This is my third one.  It's a fun scarf to knit - it's fast and not too repetitive.

This hat pattern can be found in the latest issue of Knitty.  The main part of the hat is knit flat then seamed.  Stitches are then picked up around one edge so that the remainder of the hat can be knit in the round.  Bulky hand spun yarn is called for. But I don't spin, so I substituted two yarns as one (one plain, the other variegated).  I also didn't have 10 1/2 circular needles so I knit the whole hat flat and seamed the back.  I think it turned out very nicely.  It's firm and fits nice and snug. The Mandelbrot hat pattern can be found here: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwbis11/KSPATTmandelbrot.php 

That's it for now.  More good stuff to post after Christmas.  Everyone - have a warm and relaxing Christmas and a happy and productive New Year.   Keep on knitting and crocheting!!  GG

AUTUMN COLORS, WINTER GARDEN, KNITTING

Greetings.  It's the traditional holiday hello.  As you can see from the photo above I've another bin of yarn.  I sent this bin full of knitting projects to the Christmas Bazaar, and it was returned full of yarn for next year's projects.  Thanks to the Eagles Auxiliary in Chico, CA. I love that people are wearing my knitting.  This time of year, we need scarves and hats to keep us warmed up.  Although it hasn't rained much, it's been cold.  Especially in the mornings.  Last two days we've had fog and tomorrow the big winds are coming.  You'll see the leaves we have now - after tomorrow we'll probably have the neighbor's leaves, too. 

After receiving the bin full of yarn, I jumped right in and worked with this variegated happy colors yarn.  I had enough to make a hat and a scarf.  I modified the scarf pattern and began with a couple of inches of k2, p2 ribbing.  The scarf pattern, Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Scarves, can be found here:

http://stana-critters-etc.blogspot.com/2011/10/knitting-pattern-for-easy-peasy-lemon.html

The hat pattern, which has instructions for sizes 7, 8, and 9 needles, plus variations of the edge and top construction can be found here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/789-hat

Here's another variation of the Easy, Peasy, Lemon Squeezy scarf.  These scarves are about 50 inches long.  The hat below is one of my favorites and another version was in an earlier blog. It's from Tanis Fiber Arts - Grammy's Mitts and Hat

Here's the link to this hat:

http://tanisfiberarts.blogspot.com/2010/12/grammys-hats-and-mittens-pattern.html

Chico is known as the city of trees, so with trees come leaves.  This is our backyard - the front yard is the same.  The backyard leaves are going into the garden area as compost for next year's garden.  The front yard leaves make a huge pile for the leaf-pick up service provided by the City.  Thank You!! Amazingly, the garden in producing cold weather crops.  We should be able to eat this lettuce pretty soon. We have to watch the weather for frost warnings so we can cover the crops with bed sheets to keep them from freezing. Love this!  Green growth in winter!!

Complain, complain about the leaves, but I just have to share the beauty of our neighbor's tree right now. We live in an older part of town that has huge trees that blast out color in the fall.  Makes going for a walk enjoyable just to see the colors. This tree looks like it's on fire.

And a close-up shot.

So beautiful!!

This is an unusual scene - not sleeping cats, but that they are sleeping so close together.  I guess they have to get warmth where ever they can get it when there isn't someone's lap available. 

Happy Holidays to fiber lovers everywhere.  I saw patterns today for last-minute Christmas knitting projects.  I guess that's me.  I just didn't realize I was "last-minute."  I'm heading for the yarn and needles right now!  Knit and crochet on!!

HOLIDAY BAZAAR TIME and GARDEN COLOR

If you haven't noticed it's that time again.  Holiday time, and that means Eagles Holiday Bazaar.  K will take my knitting to the Eagles Hall next week.  I have everything finished and tagged.  Here are a few of my last minute projects.  The black, gray, and white scarf is made with two yarns knit together.  Any simple knit pattern would do for a scarf like this. It would look smashing on a black coat.

This hat is version of Grammy's Hats found at the Tanis Fiber Arts site.  What happy hats and mittens for everyone. Don't miss this site.

Tanis Fiber Arts: Grammy's Hats and Mittens pattern

tanisfiberarts.blogspot.com/.../grammys-hats-and-mittens-pattern.htm.

This terrific hat was also made with two yarns held together to make a bulky yarn.  The pattern can be found here:

http://media.knittingfever.com/kfi/catalog/pattern/pdf/110818/Bubbles.pdf

 

This brown hat pattern can be found here:

http://lookmayrascreations.blogspot.com/2011/11/cable-knit-hat.html  It's knit in the round with lots of cables.  It was fun to knit.

Here's my knitted projects in the going-to-the-bazaar bin.  This is about a year's worth of knitting give or take a few projects that I've made for other charities and for family.   It makes me feel good to know that people will be receiving my knitting as Christmas gifts. 

I can't have a blog without a little about the garden.  The weather has been quite chilly at night, but the garden continues to flourish.  Roses and chrysanthemums add gorgeous color.  Today Master Gardener, D, raked leaves from the back yard - a nice pile of yellow and gold.  Thousands more to come, front and back yards.  Spring will be very exciting as there are crocus, tulips, more bulbs hidden in pots and in the ground.  More spectacular garden pics to come. 

Can't beat Mother Nature's flair for color combinations.  Fantastic!!  Knit and crochet on, everyone.  If you can't needlework , you can appreciate and enjoy the work of others. 

QUIET HALLOWEEN and NOVEMBER RAIN

Here's an example of getting ready for something to happen and then nothing!  I carved the pumpkin, from our garden, naturally, set out the bowl of candy, turned on the porch light and waited for the trick-or-treaters that never came.  Not one.  Last year we had about 20 kids show up, but this year with Halloween arriving on a school night, I think parents were keeping their kids in, in this neighborhood, anyway.  I may have to find a new home for the candy, though.  It's so tempting. 

The weeks have been nice and warm lately, so Master Gardener, D, has put in the winter garden from seeds.  And what do you know, Mother Nature has graced us again.  The seeds are coming up.  The nights have been very cool and today it's drizzling rain. Now the test will be if these little plants can withstand the colder weather.

The strings are for snow peas to climb up on.

The roses seem to like warm or cold and are producing buds.  Here's another perfect bloom in yellow.  Bare root rose plants are available in January, so we're hoping to find some with exotic colors.

Elk Creek High School has called me to substitute a few times lately, and I finally remembered to take my camera.  This photo is of the school barn.  Later in the year the barn will house mostly pigs, sometimes a couple of sows and their piglets that are so cute and pink.  Or there will be young pigs (or hogs) that students buy and raise to adulthood to be sold at the Glenn County Fair.  Yes, Virginia, that's where pork chops and ham comes from.  We've also had goats and sheep.  I love to see the animals, but I try not to think about their end result.

Right now, three horses live in the pasture.  Part of their fencing runs parallel to the path students take to and from the cafeteria up the hill at the elementary school.  So naturally, as I approached to take pictures, I was checked out up close and personal for food.   

Next time I'll have some carrots or an apple in my pocket.  Here's a more pleasing picture of mr. horse - he seems to be posing for me.  These horses belong to people that live in the neighborhood.  What an easy life.

No matter where I go, I take my knitting.  Here are a few more items I have ready for the craft bazaar.  This is a bulky hat, which will be nice and warm.  I used two skeins of worsted weight yarn and size 11 needles.  This is a free knitting pattern: Lion Brand Tweed Stripes Rosy Ribbed Hat #L10534. 

I also knitted another "three ribs with cable on the side" scarf.  The first one went to my sister, C.  Love this yarn with the flecks in it.  I think it's a Red Heart Super Saver brand.

This is a neck warmer that started as a scarf.  It has two cables with seed stitch edging.  I shortened it, of course, and made two buttonholes.  I'm not satisfied with the brown buttons, though, so I'll look for some that are a little brighter and bigger.  The yarn is from the Deborah Norville collection - Serenity - worsted weight - walnut is the color.  I like the texture, softness, and weight of this yarn.  I'm using for a hat, also.

Today is definitely a day to stay in and knit.  So after I put a roast in the oven, I'm going to do just that.  Knitting with the prospect of good food for dinner, yum.  So until later, knit and crochet on.  GG

AUTUMN GARDEN AND KNITTING

We know it's autumn when the pumpkins are ready to be picked.  Here's our harvest plus two that are on the front porch and one that I've baked and used in pumpkin bread.  Yum!

The gourds are all volunteers from gourds that fell on the ground last year.  I'm amazed - new plants come up every spring at different parts of the yard.  There must be a purpose for something so determined to survive, but I'm not sure what it its.  Nor am I sure what to do with all of this.  Here it all is ready for baking and some thing else ... just not sure what.  I baked one of the smaller pumpkins the same way I bake acorn squash.  Then I scooped out the pumpkin pulp, but it through the food processor and used it to make pumpkin bread.  The delicious recipe can be found here: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/pumpkin_bread/ 

Master Gardener, D, is transforming the spring/summer garden in to a fall/winter garden.  All the dead and dying plants have been pulled out, and he is creating new planting areas and reviving the soil with chicken manure.  Sounds gross, but it works.  Plants love it as do worms which keep the soil aerated. 

Here's the what's left of the summer garden.  We're hoping to use some of it along with the zillion leaves that are going to fall to create a compost pile. This is definitely learn-as-you-go gardening.

Another change is the expansion of the garden area and the move of the raspberry plant to a sunnier spot.  It's vines will grow up on the fence.

Here's the yard through the dream catchers on the patio.  It's our dream to have a producing winter garden, and I think we will.  Also hidden are a multitude of iris tubers, and tulip, and crocus bulbs that we're hoping will make the yard spectacular in color in the spring.

As I work on my blog, my constant companions are near by.  It's their time to snooze since they go out at night and do their cat thing.  I hope Spaz has learned his lesson about fighting and keeps a low profile while he's out there.

Below is the last of the pink yarn.  I had to piece together what was left to make another drop stitch scarf, a little narrower than the first one.  I like the way it came out.  My plastic bin is full of knitting for the bazaar.  I still have a few started projects that need to be finished and it will be ready to go next month.



I substitute taught at Elk Creek yesterday in math for my friend, J M.  I took my knitting since her students always have a lot to do and I'm not a math genius and no help with algebra or geometry. It was fun to see my old students again and the staff, too.  I'm going again next week.  Will try to take some pictures.  Keep on knitting and crocheting ... someone will love you for it.