WINTER WARMERS

It's finally here.  We've been waiting for months.  RAIN.  Awakened to the pattering of rain this morning.  We were so dry, we had to water plants and grass in the middle of January.  But all is better now.  Rain or shine, I continue to knit.  Have been working on neck warmers lately.  I like the ones that button up close to your neck to keep that area toasty warm. No cold drafts on the neck, please. As usual, I'm knitting with donated yarn - mostly knitting worsted which I can use singly or doubled to make it bulky.  It works well mixed with novelty yarns, too.  I've bought two baggies full of buttons at Michael's, using my 40% off coupon, of course.  So I have a nice stash of buttons for use or decoration.

This set can be found at the Ravely web sites below.  I followed the pattern for the neck warmer, but modified the hat to match the stitch pattern of the neck warmer.  Any basic hat pattern would work, too.  These are free patterns.

www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/saras-knitted-button-neck-warmer

www.ravelry.com/patterns/.../saras-basket-of-berries-knitted-hat-2

These two neck warmers are made from a pattern I loved so much that I bought it on Etsy for five dollars.  They're made with bulky yarn which I made by knitting with two worsteds together.  The buttons came off of an old jacket.  I love the texture of the seed stitch and the big cable.  This knits up quickly with gorgeous results.

Cabled Neck Warmer at Etsy store: http://homemadeoriginals.net/

also a Blog: http://homemadeoriginals.blogspot.com/

This neck warmer is my modified version of the Mistake Rib Neck Warmer.  I used worsted and a novelty yarn held together and large needles, 13 or 15. 

Mistake Rib Neck Warmer: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mistake-rib-neck-warmer

This one is also a modified version of the mistake rib neck warmer.  Super easy, since all you do is knit a large rectangle what ever length suits you.  Then fold one end over and place buttons again where it suits you.  The pattern has instructions for the two button holes.  Even a beginner knitter can do this one.  The mistake rib stitch is one I go to often.  I like the texture.  

GARDEN - GARDEN



 The winter garden continues to thrive, and will even better now that it's raining.  This is how it looked this morning.  Orson and I ventured out into the rain to take a few photos.

Lettuce leaves.

This toadstool (mushroom) (fungus) mysteriously came up by itself in the garden in the dry weather.  This is how it looks today in the rain.  It just opened up to take it all in.  Who lives under a toadstool?  An elf?

That's it from rainy northern California.  Keep knitting and crocheting, and if you haven't discovered Pinterest, Google it.  I'm hooked.  GG