Another day, more stuff

So we went to dinner tonight at the cheap pizza buffet. It's almost always worth it with two teenage boys who can eat an amazing amount. A dad came in with his two kids, a little boy and a little girl. They were awfully cute, but the greatest thing was the little boy's cape. He had a Cars blanket he was wearing. It was awesome. I love it when parents will let their kids do stuff like that. It was another thing that made me smile.

On the yarn front, I am finally almost done with my Herbivore shawl for the yarn shop. This thing took me a very long time. I am a slow knitter I guess. I am down to the final five rows on the shawl. Here's a picture of it from a few days ago:

The pattern is by Stephen West, and once I memorized the four row repeat it was easier to work. I have, however, had to correct a few mistakes... Mostly getting backwards on the rib and having to undo the stitches on the row below and then do the stitch on the row I'm working. Oh, well.  It will get finished.

On Ravelry I am in a Harry Potter group that is so much fun. I am in Hufflepuff (and I love the yellow and black). Each term (three-month period) there are three sets of classes (one a month) and six classes in each set. Assignments are for projects that need to be started and completed during that month. There are also OWL assignments, which are projects that will take more than one month to finish. I have completed two terms in the Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup, but have not yet attempted an OWL. I think I might this term. I have a great pattern for a crochet sweater based on one Molly Weasley wore in the Order of the Phoenix movie. I need to get all my materials together and write my proposal. I need 13 colors of yarn for it!

And yes, to continue the rambling, I am now off to my book club where we will discuss "Three Cups of Tea." It was quite and interesting book, and I don't read much non-fiction. I am looking forward to hearing what the rest of the group thinks of it. Now I can read one of the library books I checked out. It's good to have a library. I wish I could read and knit or crochet at the same time.

And finally, I wish that two of my sisters will have exceptionally good news soon. I love them. I want them to be happy and healthy and have good things happen to them. I don't want them to have unhappy things happen to them. That is all.

Musings

So as I was driving to work yesterday, the sun was shining and there was no wind (amazing, I know, but really, once in a while the wind does stop blowing here). It was a beautiful day. I turned a corner where a short stretch of road is divided by a drainage ditch and there were a bunch of kids (elementary school age) playing down by the water (which was more than normal because of the fabulous thunderstorm the day before). One small girl (maybe 5 or 6 years old), dressed in a pink dress, was a little away from the rest of the bunch. Next thing I know, she runs a few steps, leans over, and comes up with a huge cat in her arms. I mean big. This cat was almost as tall as she was! Well, it reached from her shoulders down to her thighs. Big gray tom cat. And it just hung in her arms with its front legs draped over her arm, and off she marched. It was freaking adorable!

It made me smile -- grin really. I had my sun roof open and my windows down. What a great feeling! I need to look harder for things that will make me smile. I know there are so many things in this workd that will if I just pay attention to them. And the kids that little girl was with? Yeah, getting pure enjoyment from playing in the creek and looking for little living things. Tadpoles? Fish? Crawdads? Maybe all of them. Absolute unfettered delight on their faces. Lovely reminder of the joys of childhood.

Another day not long ago, I was driving by the fire station nearest my house. It was another nice day and the station had its doors open to the nice weather. As I drove by, I glanced in and noticed the firefighters' pants and boots standing at the ready to be jumped into when the call came. I was struck by how dedicated these men are to all of us. They don't question a need, just jump up and go. And I thought of my baby brother who lives this life and am grateful for his dedication and sacrifice.

And finally, I stopped at my oldest son's house last night to pick up his dad's drill. Met by dogs and cats at the door, and have rarely been met by such excitement at my appearance! Big sloppy dog kisses all around. Lots and lots and lots of them. Clear up and down my face and all over my glasses. It was a  wonder I could see to drive home! Here's one of the main offenders:

This would be Han Solo, who is now much bigger than this, but still has just as much tongue hanging out! He weighs over 100 pounds, but still thinks he is a lap dog. I love him.

I think spring is finally here!

We've had lovely weather for the past week or so, and it has been so nice to see the sun. We really didn't see much of it this winter, and this winter also ended up being one of the most consistently cold winters in a long time.

And while I could do with less wind, well, at least the temperatures are nice and warm! It has been keep-the-sunroof-open kind of weather. And while thinking about the reason my family celebrated Easter yesterday, I took the opportunity to take the camera out and catch proof that spring really is here. Lots of proof in the blooms in the yard!

The peach tree is smothered in blossoms right now, and I think it had even more blossoms on it this morning than it did even yesterday!

Even the phlox in the front yard is almost there. A few little blooms and lots that will be open soon.

The redbud isn't quite open yet, but give it a few days and it will be amazing. But the Bradford pear across the street looks like it has been just covered in popcorn as you can see:

For the love of granny

I didn't learn to crochet granny squares until I had been crocheting for about 30 years. I know, I know, that's what everyone learns to do first, right? Well, not me. I don't know why, I just didn't. But when I did, I realized why they are so popular. The thing I don't like about granny squares, though, is all those ends that have to be woven in when you change colors so many times.

Well, I found the solution to that! When I was at Stitches West last month, I found a beautiful bag of Noro Kochoran. It is a bulky weight, 50% wool/30% angora/20% silk yarn. Well, I didn't really want all that fuzzy stuff on me in clothing, but I just couldn't pass up the bargain of 10 balls at a discounted price in colors that I really loved. After we got back to my sister's house, I started thinking about making an afghan with it. I know, I know, seriously? Use Noro? Isn't that a little, um, decadent? Crazy? Expensive? Well, yes, to all of them. But all it took was one granny square and I was hooked, so to speak. I looked at patterns for dozens of different squares, but I didn't want the pattern to get lost in the yarn, I wanted it to show the yarn off. Basic granny square was just the answer!

Now, the other thing about this afghan was that while I was making every square, I couldn't help but think about my grandmothers, who both crocheted. One grandma I remember mainly making doilies and lovely things with thread; the other I remember with lots of afghans. I love making doilies and thread things, and I love making afghans and other bigger things. I think I have both grandmas to thank for my love of yarn and hooks. This afghan then is in tribute to my grannies. A granny for my grannies, and I wish they were here still so I could thank them for the wonderful gift they shared with me.

Grateful for good friends

You know, when we have trying times in our lives, it's so important that we have good friends. I know that I am blessed to have many good friends, but this post is about one of them. She is my great knitting friend, whom I get to see when I go to the yarn shop to hang out. I usually try to time my visits so that I know she will be there. She makes me laugh, even when things are hard. She encourages me to branch out in my knitting adventures and I keep trying to convince her that crochet is good for more than charity scarves.

But last week, when things were just rougher than normal for me at home, I went into the store like normal (it's a great place for me to find some peace) and Susan had just a little something for me. Now, it's always the thought that counts, and this was such a thoughtful and sweet gift that showed me how much she loves me. I don't really think we tell the people who mean so much to us that we love them often enough. I look at this and immediately know that Susan loves me.

A tiny little hanky with a beautiful crochet edging and a sweet little note did so much to lift my spirits. Thank you Susan!

Grannies rock

So when I was out at Stitches with my sister, I totally splurged on a bag of Noro Kochoran yarn. 10 luscious skeins of it. Then I was stuck with trying to figure out what to do with 1700 yards of yarn that is not suitable for a garment for me (all that angora just doesn't cut it for garments). I immediately decided I wanted to make an afghan with it, and I figured I would do some variation on a granny square.

I looked and looked at all the different patterns for afghan squares out there, but with the long color variations in the yarn, I figured that the design of the square would likely just get lost in the yarn. I grabbed a cake of yarn, my 5.5mm hook, and whipped up a traditional granny to see what it would look like. I was sold. This yarn was meant to be traditional granny squares. I got two squares out of each yarn cake, plus have enough of each left over to seam the squares and to put a simple border around it.

Above was my first layout, but I think there is too much turquoise in that far right row. So I changed it up a little ( I think I switched only 2 or 3 squares--I guess if I searched closely enough I could figure it out) and got this:

Now, let the seaming begin!

In which I make snakey Hufflepuff socks

So, on Ravelry.com, there is this really wonderful group based on the Harry Potter books. I love it, because the way it's set up, I get more projects finished than I probably would otherwise. We are sorted into houses, we have classes, and we play Quidditch. It's my favorite place to hang out when I'm online! And, my fellow Hufflepuffs are some of the greatest people I have ever met.

Anyway, for Quidditch in March, we had a crochet sock team from each house, and I was on the Hufflepuff team. I have attempted crochet socks before, but always got hung up at the heel. I have a deep instep and long heel, thus making adaptations almost always necessary, and hence the reason I never finish a pair! Well, this time I did. One of the other people in our house is a dyer, and she made special Hufflepuff  yarn for those of us who were making socks and wanted it. I had so much fun making these and I love wearing them. They fit in my favorite Birkenstock clogs.

One of the fun things about this yarn is that it ended up making a little snakey face on the toe of one of my socks. It makes me smile every time I see it.

I think I want to crochet more socks!

A trip that results in more yarn

I am really bad about keeping my blog up, and I really need to be better. Maybe this year? Yeah, or maybe not. I guess I'll see. At least I am thinking about it more often.

I had to just write a quick post to say what a great trip I had to California, to spend a week with my sister and play with yarn. We had a fun time at Stitches West, and I brought home quite a haul. The yarn makes me happy.

I got some great yarn from Miss Babs, Creatively Dyed Yarns, Kitchen Sink Dyeworks, Lisa Souza Yarns, Blue Moon Fiber Arts and Noro. I also got some Elsebeth Lavold Sily Wool and and some Kangaroo yarn.

Overall, a nice stash enhancement. I am already 2/3 done with the granny squares from the Noro to make the ultimate splurge afghan. It's going to be yummy. Other plans are in the making for much of the other yarn.

I was glad to have some time to spend with my wonderful sister. We don't get to see each other often enough. And after I got home, I realized that I didn't even get a single picture with her. And now that I have been home almost two weeks, this is what I miss: In 'n Out Burgers, Yogurtland and Trader Joe's. Oh, and of course I miss my sister. And her knitting group.

Fall is beautiful!

Wow. It has really been a long time since I have posted here. It's not that I haven't thought about it, it's just that I haven't actually sat down and done it. It seems like things just keep getting busier. But maybe they aren't really and it's just my imagination. Life has just been rolling right along, but there are so many things that have happened that I really should post about. Maybe later. For now, I am reveling in the beauty of fall. Here's what I have been seeing around here:

Nancy's scarf

DSC04516.JPG, originally uploaded by coribug.

My friend Nancy (pictured here with me) requested a scarf (the one she is wearing) she could wear with a red coat she has. I had been wanting to try some Noro Kureyon sock yarn, so I borrowed her coat and took it in to Twist so I could match the yarn.

I found a lovely skein that looked like it would work well, then set out to find a pattern that I liked. No luck. Finally I decided I would have to make my own. I have only done a little designing, and pretty much never write down what I do. Well, this time, I was working in the same manner (from my head basically) and had several people ask for the pattern. Rats. That meant I had to re-create and write it down. Sheesh.

Well, I did, and I actually have it posted. Head on over to ksmystitch.blogspot.com. You'll find the pattern posted there with detail pictures as well. I also actually have the pattern saved as a pdf. Once I figure out how to post a downloadable link to it I will. Meantime? Post in the comments that you are interested in the pdf and I will contact you.

Best new bag ever (well, maybe)

I picked up the most amazing bag at Twist. Cass, one of the shop regulars and an amazingly gifted stitcher, makes these terrific bags from recycled sweaters. She cuts the sweaters up and uses the fabric to make the best crochet/knitting bags. She lines them with a coordinating fabric (and she's great at choosing pairings because of her quilting talent), and adds all kinds of little pockets.

They have strong web handles and are incredibly roomy. Mine is a great orange wool with a funky, retro pink/orange/white lining. I so love it!
And I now have been able to add pictures as you can see! Thanks, Cass, for making a bag that feels like it was made just for me!

A hat for a friend

I have a lovely friend at work who had a birthday recently. And sadly, she also had a grandmother pass away just before her birthday and the funeral right after her birthday. Kind of stinks. So, a few of us got together and decided to help her have a happy birthday. This is my contribution:

An adaptation of the non-hair-smashing hat in my previous post. This one is also a lovely soft alpaca (Alpaca with a Twist if you are wondering). I used a smaller hook to make a denser fabric. And in a solid color, it just needed a little dressing up, hence the flower.

It fits her just right, and I love it so much that I intend to make myself one and promptly went out and bought more of the same yarn so that I can. I have to say that I really do love the little button in the center of the flower. It's such a cute hat. Happy Birthday Lynette!

Non-hair-smashing beret

This was a super fast, easy pattern for a hat that doesn't completely smash my hair. I love hats in the winter, especially because my head gets cold easily because of my really short hair and ears that are always uncovered. I used Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light and a size 4mm hook (Addi Turbo). You can find the pattern on Ravelry.com (Simple Beret by Suzanne M. Barrow) or you can find it on her blog here.
It does a nice job of keeping my head warm (unless the wind is blowing hard). I do think that I will make another of these, and I think I will size down the hook to get a tighter stitch.
I LOVE the colors and how they work together. And this yarn is a dream to work with and relatively inexpensive as well. I picked up my three skeins for $5 apiece and have plenty left to make a cowl or another hat.
I made one adaptation to the patter, and that was to crochet 2 together in each stitch around before beginning the green single crochet border. I needed it to hold its shape better to get the fit I needed for my slightly smaller than average head. I think that this actually helps the hat hold its shape and makes a better fit. I just learned about knitting elastic, and I may find some and weave a row or two in to keep a slightly closer fit. Overall, I love this hat!

Wavelength update

It's finished! I handed it to Shelly at the store the day before Thanksgiving.

A picture you ask? Well, I am just so lame that I completely forgot to take a picture of the completed scarf. I was so excited to have it finished and get it out of my possession and into Shelly's that I just didn't take a picture.

I will take one next time I'm in the store and get it posted here.

The wavelength scarf

So I finally started the Wavelength scarf for Shelly for the store. It is so slow! The yarn is Noro Silk Garden sock weight. I love the colors and I don't even mind the yarn (it isn't nearly as scratchy as I've heard tell) but the pattern is so tedious! I feel like I make no progress at all on it even if I can manage an hour or two. It will be lovely when it is finished, and I will be so happy when it is!
It certainly isn't a difficult pattern, it's simply chains and single crochet after all, but maybe that is what makes it so tedious. One of my least favorite parts of crocheting (I now know) is working into the chain.
I just keep plugging away and hoping I will reach the end of the skein. It will be beautifully soft and quite lovely when it is washed and blocked. Oh, and can I say how great the Fibersphere has been for this project? I am so happy I bought it.

In Evan's basement

So we found this box of 20 Mule Team Spangles in the basement of Evan's house. We couldn't find a date on it anywhere, but I'm guessing it has to be at least 40 years old. We laughed so hard. So hey, he could have a dance and make his basement floor a dance floor! Look how easy it is to use: Simply sprinkle them on the floor and start dancing!There's no work to the application, you can even wear your tuxedo while sprinkling them on the floor. And in one place on the box it lists all the places you can turn into a dance floor with them. Places like garages, sidewalks, patios, basements, streets and other things. Too funny. But we couldn't ever find what they were made of either. And if you look at the picture above, you can see that you don't want to get them on your soil!

I won . . .

First prize in the Yarn Shop Hop drawing! I couldn't believe it. The shops put the names of all the people who visited all eight stores during the hop into a drawing. The grand prize was a big bag full of goodies. And this was the first prize:

A fabulous Amy Butler knitting (well, obviously crochet for me) bag and a couple of patterns you can see below. I love this bag so much. I of course ran right down to Shelly's shop to pick it up as soon as I was notified I had won. And sweet, sweet, Shelly, she went through the pile of patterns for prizes and picked out a couple of crochet ones for me. I love her! And I can't wait to make one or both of these. The blanket I especially love! And that sweater would sure be great for work.

More great yarn stuff

Here are a few pictures of yarns I've added to my stash lately. I love them all and look forward to crocheting them up into wonderful items.

Mmmmmm, Noro Matsui cotton blend. This yarn is so soft and luscious. The shop had it on sale for 50% off, so I bought several. This bunch will be for a capelet or shawl. It's black with gray and green and purple. Kind of Halloweeny, I guess, isn't it? But it's the colors I wear!I love the Sockotta I used on a scarf, and fell in love with this warm pink/orange/green and purple blend. The yarn is so soft, and the cotton blend makes it perfect for a summer scarf.
Here's another few balls of Noro cotton, with a little texture. I thought this would make a fun scarf. Again with the greens and purples. I find myself adding a lot of them to my wardrobe.
This is a great collection I picked up at the shop in Salina. It's a mix of warm pinks and golds. I just bought a couple of petal pink sweaters, and this will make a nice accompaniment to them.
Yarn. The shop in Hutchinson had these terrific bags. Who can't use another project bag?
Yes, my love for fall colors betrays me at every stop. This Blue Face Leicester just called to me, and I couldn't resist. It's a beautiful, large hank and will be so warm and cuddly.

This is a skein of hand-dyed Andes and while the picture doesn't show it very well, the skein is a wonderfully soft lavendar and sage blend. Beautiful!
And this is a treasure from Idaho Falls. Of course, when I arrived for the conference and had an hour to kill, the first thing I did was find the yarn shop. Conveniently, it was across the river from the conference hotel, and a comfortable walk. This is a gorgeous soft pink sock weight and I think it will make a lovely shawl.

Yarn Shop Hop

So, the central Kansas yarn shops had a Yarn Shop Hop on October 24, and eight stores participated. The stores ranged from one in Minneapolis (yes, there's a Minneapolis, Kansas and it's not even close to as big as Minneapolis, Minnesota!) all the way to Wichita. I happened to have the day off, so I decided to spend a day by myself and see if I could hit the six that are out of town in one day.

I drove up to Minneapolis and started there, hoping I could hit it, Abilene, Salina, Lindsborg, Hutchinson and Newton before the shops closed. Then I could catch the two shops here in town on Saturday. It worked! I had a ton of fun just driving and shopping on my own schedule, and I collected some great stuff. A little sock yarn, a little hand-dyed, and some Addi Turbo hooks!

Here are some photos of some of the great stuff I scored on this trip:
Organic cotton from Heritage Hut here in Wichita. I think it will make yummy washcloths.
Kind of blurry, but I got this Fibersphere in Salina. I love that it keeps my sock yarn neat and clean.
A collection of hooks that I bought: Addi Turbos, including a thread hook that has a cover (so cool!), a Brittany hook (and I'm not sure I like it), and a smaller bamboo hook (I know I like bamboo for certain fibers).
Some Lorna's Laces DK weight I picked up in Newton and I think I will use it to make the La Mer scarf in the fall (I think) Interweave crochet magazine. It's Tunisian, and I have not tried Tunisian before, but the scarf is beautiful. The shop had one made up and on display out of this yarn.