Piper and her family

Some relatives of my dad have just adopted their daughter from China. Here is a link to the blog about their journey.

Felted slippers

My mom sews, my sister does needlework, and I knit. We found a shop to please us all, Always in Stitches in Noblesville, IN. Quilting seems to be their primary focus. The yarn department isn't as extensive as some LYSs, but there is a nice variety of better yarns and equipment--so much nicer and more pleasant than Big Box Crafts.
I needed some Cascade 220 and 10.5 wooden double points. The staff was patient when we walked in 5 minutes before closing. Next time I'm in town we'll plan ahead so we can stay longer and browse.

I used my yarn and needles to finish these slippers for my sister. I made these with the Fashionably Late KAL.

"Guesses are merely expressions of prejudice." --Michael Crichton

Interesting trivia

A nonwoven polypropylene reusable shopping bag uses 28 times more energy to manufacture than a standard plastic shopping bag, and 8 times more energy than a paper grocery bag. So reuse your bag at least 29 times. (Using a shopping bag once a week for a year eliminates about 100 plastic bags.) Source: Wall Street Journal, 9/26/08

"Poison control centers are second only to childhood immunization programs in their ability to provide cost savings in public health delivery." Source: Pharmacy Today, September 2008. ETA: I learned that in the 19th century, pasteurizing milk and chlorinating drinking water saved even more lives per dollar invested.

Chevron Scarf

A chevron muffler to go with DH's Noro hat:
Colors A, B, and C, on size US 10.5 needles
A=navy boucle (brand unknown)
B=Patons Shetland chunky in taupe
C=variegated Shetland Chunky

With A, Cast on 37 st (or multiple of 11st plus 4 selvage stitches)
work in reverse stockinette (p right side, k wrong side) x 4 rows.

Then begin chevron pattern:
Row 1: k2, *k2tog, k3, [k1, yo, k1] in next st, k3, ssk* end k2
Row 2: k2, p across, end k2

Work rows 1 & 2 with color B, then color C, then color B.
K 4 rows with A.

Repeat until desired length. End with 4 rows reverse stockinette, color C. (Based on Welt Fantastic stitch, in public domain.)

Stitches and Scones

My aunt's friend had recommended Stitches and Scones in Westfield, IN to her. My mom drove us there, along with DD2, who started knitting herself now.
It is a nice shop with a good selection of lace yarn and some spinning supplies. The staff were very helpful and one worker spent a long time with my aunt helping her pick out a pattern and yarn for her first lace project. Since I've almost finished DD2's cable sweater, I congratulated myself by buying yarn for DS1. The prices weren't rock-bottom, but were reasonable. The clearance area was neat and easy to browse. They serve free scones and coffee. I'd happily visit again.

Rum-chili Slow-cooked venison steak

Someone requested I share this recipe. My kids like it. It turns out tender but not falling apart. I don't get the "Ew, is this venison?" reaction.

1/4 cup honey-lemon or honey-mustard salad dressing
1/4 cup rum.
Combine and place in slow cooker dish.
Place venison steaks in a layer in the liquid.
Sprinkle meat with 1-2 Tbsp chili powder (I make my own by toasting and grinding a dried New Mexico chili pepper). Salt to taste.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until tender and meat is 160F, turning once after about 3 hours.

I like this U of MN guide to cooking venison.

Sleeping bag tote

Need: DD2 and I are going to "She & Me" (mom & daughter) Girl scout camp this weekend and we have to carry our gear nearly 1/4 mile from the parking area to our campsite. Sleeping bags are always so bulky and hard to handle.
Inspiration: The drawstring shoebags my daughters have.
Result: Drawstring fleece bags that can be worn as backpacks or satchel-style. There is enough extra room to hold a sleeping mat or blanket and small pillow, or everything a kid needs for a sleepover.


Supplies:
3/4 yard acrylic fleece (60"x42")
2 straps, 2 yards each, made of fleece, nylon strap, braid, etc








Directions:
1. Fold fleece (RS inside) and sew sides to form a bag. Use selvedges for open end of bag.

2. Make 4 buttonholes, 4.5" from edge and 1" from seams and slice buttonholes open.







3. Turn bag RS out. Fold under 3" toward inside for casing. Sew casing completely shut.








4. Thread straps through buttonholes. Strap A enters at 4:00, travels clockwise to 2:00, and exits. Strap B enters at 10:00 and travels clockwise to 8:00.
5. Attach both ends of straps to lower corners of bag.

Evaluation: I considered these prototypes, so I didn't try to make them look nice. I'm pleased with the results; now I wish I would have been a bit neater with the straps. To make this quicker and more thrifty, I think an XL adult t-shirt with sleeves sewn shut and cut off could stand in for the fleece bag.

Two Recent Reads

Last weekend I read The Last Tycoon by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The novel is unfinished and published in 1941 with the author's outlines and notes to fill out the story. Here is an extensive NYTimes Review. I enjoyed the book and rather liked the abrupt end.
The book is set in 1930's Hollywood. The protagonist, Morgan Stahr, is a widower and workaholic in his late 30's. The book is narrated by Cecelia, who is a college student and daughter of Stahr's coworker. Looking at middle age life and dating through the eyes of a young adult is a thoughtful, unique perspective that enhances the story. The book is a fascinating glimpse into Depression Era Hollywood and wealth. Advisory: the book contains a couple of affairs with encounters that may have been racy in 1941. They are not excessively graphic (tame by today's standards), but make the book inappropriate for children.

In June I read The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot, written in 1860 and set in the 1830's. I read an antique copy from 1920.
The story follows Maggie, the protagonist, and her brother Tom, through childhood, then revisits them as young adults.
Maggie is a trouble-maker and tomboy as a child. She would prefer to be a boy entering a profession. Her mother ignores her and her father indulges her, so she receives insufficient guidance and "street sense" to function as a woman in the society of her day. Tom is athletic has a rigid sense of right and wrong. He would prefer to be a mechanic or engineer, but his father pushes him toward law or clerical work.
The story itself is good enough, but in my opinion, the book is unnecessarily long and filled with Ms. Eliot's asides. She follows the Jane Austen template of a small-town family and their circle of acquaintances, their love lives and their gossip. Unlike Ms. Austen's novels, however, The Mill on the Floss is melodramatic and implausibly tragic. ("Soap opera" comes to mind.)
I had difficulty sympathizing with Maggie. I felt Ms. Eliot was using her solely to teach a lesson about that society's role for women and the ostricization the author must have felt because of her own lifestyle, rather than developing Maggie into a realistic character. That might be a worthwhile theme, but it doesn't lend itself to an enjoyable novel. I would recommend this book only to those who enjoy George Eliot's style or who are prepared to skim a lot.

jss autumn

jss autumn
Originally uploaded by swjuliet

This is the group of colors I've selected for my Swallowtail shawl. Not sure which to choose for the budding lace yet. I don't think I'll cast on until after next weekend, though.

Staying Honest with my yarn purchases

My stash rules:
Occasions for adding to stash: FO's, my birthday, and gifts. Big FO's get major purchases, little stash-busting FO's are only worth a couple balls. Books over $15-20 count as yarn purchases too, because I'm a sucker for books recommended by LYS owners. Swaps are neutral as long as I'm adding something equivalent to what I'm sending.

This year's record:
FO=Niece#2 blankie, clapotis. Yarn purchase=4 sk not-so-cheap sock yarn and a book in Madison.
Purchase: Handpaintedyarn.com Merino bulky (3 balls each of 2 colorways). FOs=Noro hat, tunic
Purchase: lots and lots of Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift. Excuse=birthday.

Sun Tunic for my Niece

The May Stash knit-down challenge was to use up cotton/cotton blends. I had three coordinating balls in the stash and made this little tank top for my niece, who 9 months old.

I had been experimenting with a mosaic table mat or wine cozy, but then I saw Sweetness by Kathleen Sperling on Ravelry and decided to try a top or sundress. I wanted a little more shoulder coverage, a mosaic pattern rather than FI, and a lacy skirt with a bit more flare for easy crawling.

I cast on with green and worked a boat-neck raglan in Shadow 14 (Barbara Walker's Mosaic Knitting.) Then I bound off the shoulders and increased for the underarms. I left the back open up to this point to allow ease for her to fit her head through. Here I joined and preceeded in rounds. I worked another band of Shadow 14 to transition into beige. Then I worked Fountain Lace (BW's Second Treasury p.272), increasing 4st per RSRnd during the first two repeats of the lace to give it flare. At DD1's recommendation, I stopped at tunic length and finished with Elastic Bind-off in green. The back ties shut with i-cord.

I had planned to make a sun hat as well, but not enough yarn left. All she gets is a flower barrette.

Noro Chevron Hat

This was inspired by C. Schurch's socks for self-striping yarn presented in Sensational Knitted Socks.
Knit with Noro Kureyon col 147-B on 2 circular size 9 needles.
Made at DH's request for something warm that was longer than a skullcap.





"Welt Fantastic" Chevron pattern: Work over a multiple of 11 st.
Rnds 1,3,5: k
Rnds 2, 4: p
Rnds 6, 8, 10, 12: k2tog, k3, [k1, yo, k1] into one st, k3, ssk










Step one: cast on 99st, join, work in k1, p1 ribbing x 4 rnds. (about 1")
Step two: begin chevron pattern. Work 3 entire repeats and continue a 4th repeat thru pattern rnd 5. (about 4.5" total hat length)
Step three: decreasing.
Place markers after st33 and st66 to divide hat into thirds, 3 panels (A, B, and C) between each marker.
Remove a total of 6 st per rnd for three even-numbered rnds, then rest an even-numbered rnd. Repeat this cycle.
To remove 2 st from a panel on the chevron pattern rnds, replace the [k1,yo, k1] with a k1.
So when working the fourth repeat of pattern: rnd 6 decrease in the "A" panels; rnd 8 decrease in the "B" panels, rnd 10 decrease in the "C" panels, rnd 12 worked with no decreases. Fifth pattern repeat rnd 2 would call for decrease in A panels again. If the decreases would have fallen on the purl rnds, I worked k2tog...ssk on three panels of rnd 3 instead. It looked better. Maintain continuity of pattern by keeping the k2tog, [k1,yo, k1], and ssk aligned, and reduce the number of k st.
Step four: When down to 33 st I reorganized the hat into 3 11-st panels and continued decreaseing.
Step five: final rnds. when 15st remain, k2tog all around (one odd st is left); then k 1 rnd...when only 1 st remains, end by drawing yarn thru last st. Finish with pompom, tassel, or as desired.

Mom & Baby set is all done

The whole set is done.

For the mom: Clapotis

For the baby:

Noro spiral one-skein hat by Manuele Ducret
saartje-bockstark-bootee (see below)

The hat didn't spiral. It goes fine with the set, though. I thought a scaled down version of the adult Clapotis Hat wouldn't be right for a baby.

The mom was not going to find out the gender, but during the ultrasound she saw he was a boy. I hope the colors aren't too feminine, but for a newborn it should be all right.

Stash Knit-down 2008 progress

Ravelry's Stash Knit-down 2008 Group

My goals: 12 FO this year from stash.

1. Nephew/Niece blankie
2. Scarf for handspun hat.
3. Clapotis
4. Pink scarf
Update 6/8/2008 with two more FO's
5. Noro Chevron Hat.
6. Niece tunic.

April challenge: Finish or Frog WIP's.
I am making exception for

• DD2's cable sweater. That will take months when I'm doing a couple rnds a day. No big hurry. I'm kind of saving it for car knitting on our summer trips.

• The swatch afghan that I've been constructing a few blocks here and there for about 3 years. It's done whenever I say it is. DDs both want it for college. Uh-huh.

The only other WIP I found was a green Noro Kuryeon hat for DH. I just cast on 2 weeks ago and I already forgot about it. Right after I took these photos DS2 took the teakettle and poured the water on my swatch.

Saartje-Bockstark Bootee

Saartje-Bockstark Bootie
Originally uploaded by swjuliet

Did one bootie for the Mom & Baby Clapotis set today. DD admitted she probably wouldn't really wear it much, so it will be for the expectant mom.

Bockstark, another mother of twins on Ravelry introduced me to this bootee. I got one done today even though DS#2 did not take his nap. Edited to add: Finished the 2nd on 4/15, wthich is the next day I picked it up.

The original pattern is Saartje's Bootees.

Bockstark (Kris) posted her version in the round, which I modified for my worsted weight yarn as follows:

Cast on 23 st.
Round 1: Place marker after 11th st, k1, pm...
Increase through Round 6, then work even.
Only work 13 rnds (bootee about 1.5" tall at this point) before changing to CC and doing decrease rnd.
Please refer to original patterns above for complete directions.
My other variations--I made the straps 21st long total, and did my buttonholes by a y00, k2tog at end of the strap. I did not move my increases to the corners of the toe area, but kept them on each side of the central toe stitch.

Clapotis is finished

Here is DD#1 modeling Clapotis for me. I used the aqua colorway for the increase and decrease sections, alternated aqua and periwinkle every 2 rows for about 24 rows, and did the center straight section in periwinkle. I'm really pleased with the way the colors worked.

Other than purling the st to be dropped, I followed the instructions. That was unusual for me. I think I may do a SK lace version with plain yarn. I wanted to keep this one extra-easy, though.
I realized after a few rows these colors don't match my complexion. DD#1 said she wasn't interested either, so I was quietly planning to give it to a friend's daughter who is expecting her first baby this summer. I'm not well acquainted with her daughter, but she is going through some difficult times right now. I thought Cpapotis would make a nice wrap when a sweater might be too warm (or not fitting anymore), and could be used to cover Baby when she's walking outside later. I was going to make some matching booties and a baby hat from the leftover yarn.

After the photo shoot on a cool, windy spring day, DD has decided she would like it after all. She thinks it would be nice for air conditioned places in summer. She assures me she will not wear it once then throw it on the floor, forgotten. Which is what happened to her Christmas cape from 2004. Which is what happened to her handbag from 2006. Hmmmm...now what do I do?

Clap is almost done

I will finish it tonight. Doesn't it look like "waves"?

hanspun hat & scarf

hanspun hat & scarf
Originally uploaded by swjuliet

Hat is of handspun purchased at KeLe Alpaca open house in fall 2007. Scarf was Jayne's idea over at elann, when I wasn't sure what to do with the little bit of handspun I had left. I like the way it tuned out!

Shamrock for the "Green is the Color" Group on Ravelry

This is an excerpt of Pagoda Pattern in BW3, p.172.
Step1--make three leaves as follows
CO 17st
Row 1: purl
Row 2: ssk, k2, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, (k2tog, yo) twice, k2, k2tog
Rows 3, 5, 7: p2tog, p across, end p2tog-b
Row 4: ssk, k1, (yo, ssk, yo), sl1-k2tog-psso, (k2tog, yo, k2tog), k1, k2tog
Row6: ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog
after Row 7, 5st rm on each leaf.

Step2--join leaves on row 8 as follows
On leaf A, ssk, k1, k2tog. Join leaf B by continuing to use same RH needle and yarn, ssk, k1, k2tog, and then leaf C=9st total.
Row 9, 11: purl.
Row 10, 12: ssk, k1 across
Work I-cord of desired length on remaining 3 st, draw yarn through to end.

Minor variation: join in circular fashion in row 8, then work from the wrong side to make the stem come out from behind like a real plant.

And more treats

red&blue socks to be
Originally uploaded by swjuliet

Another sock combo from Lakeside Fibers. The Brown Sheep was last skein in stock, so had to get a complimentary color to have enough for a pair of socks.

Treats

orange&greenmulti sox2b
Originally uploaded by swjuliet

Every FO deserves a new yarn purchase. This is from Lakeside Fibers in Madison, WI. Will be socks with contrasting heels/toes/cuffs.

Correction to Elannites Webring

I apologize to anyone who got stuck here because of the incorrect html code I had on my elannites Webring button. It is now corrected.

pattern for Cloud and Mountain blanket

Cloud and Mountain Baby Blanket
March 2008

Pattern source: Barbara Walker’s A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, p. 68.
Yarn and needles used: Red Heart Baby clouds (super bulky boucle), size US 13, 86st x 86 rows, finsihed size about 36” square, gauge 2.5st/in.

Using 2 color families, MC (medium blue and green in my sample)
and CC (pastel pink and yellow in my sample)

Always slip st with yarn on Wrong Side of work.
Odd rows are Right side rows.
MC is worked in garter st (k both sides)
CC is worked in stockinette (k RSR, p WSR)

Preparation row: cast on 8n+6 with CC and p 1 row.

Row 1, 9: MC: k.
Row 2, 3, 4: MC: k6, *sl2, k6*
Row 5, 7: CC: k6, *sl2, k6*
Row 6, 8: CC: p6, *sl2, p6*
Row 10, 11, 12: MC: k2, *sl2, k6* end sl2, k2
Row 13, 15: CC: k2, *sl2, k6* end sl2, k2
Row 14, 16: CC: p2, *sl2, p6* end sl2, p2


Any yarn may be used with appropriate size needles. Consider this pattern for highly textured yarns that won’t show cables or openwork. The WS is nice neat purl stripes. Would also make a nice scarf.
I recommend a single MC, with many CC’s from your stash.

I hope link to a pdf for this pattern in the future.

Nephew Blankie

Nbblaknie03-05-08_0640
Originally uploaded by swjuliet

Here is the pic of the blanket, courtesy of Flickr.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

The first FO of the year!

Here is the Nephew Blankie, modeled by his cousins to be, DD2 and DS2. Finished 3/4/2008, 22:00. I was considering having a lacy edging, but DH recommended a simple bound off edge. I'll be posting a patterns soon.
Blogger is not adding my pictures at this time! Hopefully I can add the image this evening.

KNITTINGGAL: One thousand approaching!

Please go congratulate Donna on her 1000th hit and check out her clever and appropriate retro pics
KNITTINGGAL: One thousand approaching!

L Sleeve is in

Why the puff sleeve?
DD2 is feminine and frilly enough to pull it off. It's a spring/summer sweater.

Does DD like it?
She says wants a longer sleeve. Sounds like she's describing a straight 3/4 length sleeve.

Do I like it?
At first no. The bluebells all over the sleeve are a bit much. After she tried it on, it's growing on me. I'm going to leave it alone, work some more of the body, and think about it.

Fashionably Late in "08 Clapotis KAL

Decided to join my first KAL: Joan's Clapotis KAL. Please see link at sidebar.
Back in 2004 I was barely pattern literate and had just discovered Knitty, so I wasn't part of the craze.

I have some Trendsetter Taos in my stash I've tried unsuccessfully to swap/sell that should be just right for Clapotis.

If N/N2 turns out to be Niece, I may give it to her. It's not a typical blankie, but would look wonderful on SIL as a wrap over baby. Niece could grow into it and have a real shawl someday, a little keepsake from her Aunt Sarah.

The current easy project: Blanket for N/N#2

Niece #1 got a lacy blanket that can be used as a shawl as she gets bigger. I put a lot of time and effort into it.
N/N#2 is due in early June to a different SIL. I'm making the opposite type of blanket for her/him: easy, machine washable pastels. This removes some yarn from my stash, and doesn't interfere with the time I want to spend on DD's cables.
This yarn Red Heart Baby Clouds, colors 9074 "pale pink," 9363 "Breeze," 9321 "Pale yellow," and last label is lost. Why do I have Red Heart? MIL used the green to tie a quilt. I went down to the dime store (yes, my little town still has one) and picked up three other colors, thinking what a cheap, quick project I could make. Now that N/N is coming, I can use it. For 100% acrylic, it's tolerably soft and not really squeaky. It does crackle with static on my Denises.
Using size 13, with a four-color variation of Clouds and Mountains from BWI, p.68. Gauge is about 2.4st/in, width=36"

How to remove grout from laundry

If your DH pours tile grout out on the driveway, and you walk through it in your brand-new Dockers...
Brush the dried grout with a stiff brush, soak briefly, then apply toothpaste to the grout and scrub again. It takes plaque off your teeth, why not grout?
My experiment worked, so I didn't have to go buy more slacks. (Is that good or bad?)

My current challenge: Aran for DD2

I haven't made a full-scale project with cables yet (only hats).
I bought 12 balls Schachenmayr Scaletta col.0083 from elann in 2005 on impulse w/o project in mind. It's kind of a ladder yarn. It's a nontraditional choice for an Aran-style sweater, but I think it looks good in cables. (please click picture to see detail)

I'm doing a self-designed peasant-sleeve top down sweater with saddle shoulders. I'm 20+ rows into the front. The center cable is "Aran Diamond and Bobble" BWIIp.186, modified by working garter st, not seed st, in large diamond. Next one out is "Little Plait" BWIp.245, and the outer panel is two 8st cables crossed every 16th row with bobble on 8th row, worked at half-drop. (I saw this cable in a Lion Brand pattern in a mag., don't remember which one.)