STRIPES AREN'T ONLY FOR TIGERS



      Greetings, knitters and crocheters and anyone who has wandered on to minipurl's blogspot.  This month I turned 39 again, just like Jack Benny.  If you don't know who Jack Benny is, I have to tell you we are both kidding.  I'm older than 39, but not ready for the old folks' home.  I can still wrangle a classroom full of junior high students without breaking a sweat.  I have to say, though, I'm glad birthdays come around only once a year.

  The birthday flowers are from my thoughtful son, D.  Love them - they bring bright colors and hope that spring is on its way as you will also see later in the blog.  Thanks, D!  My husband, K, treated D and I to a terrific Italian dinner at Panighettis Eatery in Chico.  Thanks, K.  Happy Birthday to me.

Now onto the theme of this blog - stripes.  As I said stripes aren't only for tigers .. or socks.  Several years ago I came across a knitting pattern that used self-striping yarns to make scarves called "Angus - angular scarves."  Here's the link and the cover photo: http://www.smallknits.com/free-patterns/angus-angular-scarf/

    I made two of this red scarf, one for myself and one for my sister, C.  Recently she asked me to knit another one for a friend, but I was unable to find the exact yarn.  

I tried sock yarn but it was too thin.  So I tried two other yarns with more weight and was happy with the results.

This is the scarf I sent to my sister for her friend, K.  It's knit in Deborah Norville Jeweltones.  57% Acrylic/40% Wool/3% Sequins.  I ordered this yarn from JOANN.COM. The yarn is labeled a "2 - fine" weight, but seems heavier.  I used size 8 needles. Self striping yarn produces such spectacular results, non knitters don't realize how easy it is to create.

This scarf is made with a bulky (5) yarn from Lion Brand.  It's !00% Acrylic.  I used a size 10 needle.  I found this yarn at Michael's or Joann's.  The striping is more subtle than the other scarves, but just as impressive.  This is a very warm, soft scarf.  A huge variety of self striping yarns can be found at yarn shops on the Internet in a variety of fibers and weights. I'm also knitting wash cloths for the Christmas Bazaar.  I'm putting them together in little bundles and wrapping them with Chrismasy ribbon.  The Internet has many, many free wash cloth patterns: Ravelry and Knitting Pattern Central are good places to start looking if you don't already have a stash of cloth patterns. Or, you could make up your own patterns!

I think most yarn lovers, also love cats and dogs that they can pet and enjoy the feel of the fur the same way we enjoy the feel of the yarn.  I found this nifty basket at the thrift shop and before I could put yarn into it, my cat, Minipurl, climbed in and stayed a while, as I organized some of my novelty yarns.  I like to keep them out so I don't forget what I have and because they just look beautiful.

I know it's still winter, but March arrives next week, so it's okay to start thinking it's early, early spring.  The weather has been perfect for spring arrivals, a little rain and then a little sunshine.

The daffodils and crocus are the first bulbs to get all the way up.  Tulips are on the way.  Can't wait to see them, along with Irises and a varieties of Lilies.  D planted them in the fall.  These bulbs are perennials and with divide and grow again next spring.  Mother Nature at her best.  I'll have more to show off in the next blog.

The garden and back yard has a new guardian.  A birthday present from my sister, C, a jewel of a salamander wind chime.  He or she hangs on the edge of the patio roof bringing color and sparkle to a grey day as you can see by the sky in the background.  Not only is there color, but tinkly sounds as the wind blows through the chimes.  Thank you, C.  She knows what I like.

    Until next time, keep on knitting and crocheting - doing so creates inner peace. 

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

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