WEEK 13

 

Hello again!  Glad to have you stopping by for a little visit.  This past week was so good.  So much is going on but, I have managed to find time to read, knit and interact with family and friends.

First up are projects I am currently working on.

I started another Fall Breeze Shawl.  This one is being made much narrower than the first one I did.  It is such a lovely knit.  However, I have learned I need to really keep track of what row I am on in while doing the design.  Seems I tinked back at least once per 12 row of the pattern stitch.  At the moment, I am working on the stockinette section which is so relaxing and perfect for TV watching or talking with family and friends. It is also small enough to take out and about with me.

Last night, I was feeling frustrated so started this.............

Another pair of RCR socks.  The dark colorway is called Vengence and is a 80% SW BFL/20% Nylon.  I received this skein in 2023 from Leading Men Fiber in a mystery sale.  The other skein is called Pink Lemonade and is 75% SW Merino/25% Nylon.  Not sure when I got that one but it has been sitting for well over a year or 2 also.  I am ready to do the heel and should have that completed yet today.

I know y'all are wondering why I am frustrated so I will tell you.  There is a pattern I found and fell in love with.  I normally do not make clothing for myself as the finished product seldom meets my expectations.  (My last 2 sweaters are smoldering on a shelf somewhere) But, this pattern I found has all the elements I love in clothing.  I purchased the recommended yarn for the project and started knitting.  After making a huge error in the number of cast on stitches, I started again, after knitting for about 3 inches.  Then, I noticed I was not counting correctly and my stitch count was way off after knitting it again for another 3 inches.  Third time is the charm, right?  After knitting for a while I went to measure it and see how it was going I found my gauge was WAY off!  I frogged it the third time and went up 2 needle sizes and started again.  Nope, I did not like the looks of the fabric.  Way too loose and sloppy.  Frogged it again and decided maybe doing a swatch would be a good idea.( I really dislike swatching)  I went back and swatched with the suggested needle size..............too small, went up one needle size and started another swatch but have not completed that yet.  I was so frustrated, I put it out of sight and started the RCR socks.  I have emailed the designer and am waiting for a reply.  Here is a photo of the yarn purchased to make TWO of these sweaters.

It is a DK weight 60% Bamboo/ 40% Cotton blend and so soft and light.  It will be perfect for our spring/fall/winters here.  If any of you have any suggestions on what to do, let me know in the comments PLEASE!!!!!!!!  I have considered making a larger size to accommodate for the gauge difference.  That thought is still on the table once I finish the swatch with the size 7 needles. 

Other things I did this past week was start a book only to dump it after the first 3 chapters did not capture me.  So I started another one and loved it and finished it in 2 days!  (Indigo Isle was awesome).  I currently have another one on my Kindle and have just gotten to chapter 4.  It is kind of holding my attention but I am trying to figure out what the purpose of the book is.  So, may not continue with it much longer.

All the prayer shawls I had completed in the past few months were finally given to the Ministry at Church this weekend.  I had to sew on labels and medals before I could donate them.  Sewing labels on knitted/crocheted items is not an easy task!  There were a total of 5 shawls/lap throws donated.

My DIL, Stacie, is in the final stretch of getting her home cleaned out so she can go on her journey.  I spent some time over there getting things out of her house and into mine that are keepsakes for Josie.  (Josie and Josh live in a tiny apartment and have no storage!)  I will go back over once more to collect the last few items before she leaves on Tuesday.  

There was another party this week!  This time it was a going away party for Stacie.  There were about 40 of us gathered to wish her well on her new adventures.  I am officially retiring as party planner for a while.  Being chair and co-chair of party planning for the past few months has been exhausting!  Now, just being a retired old lady sounds quite appealing.

Our weather has become quite bearable!  Mornings are in the 70's and the days are in the  high 90's with a 100 slipping in now and then.  But it is so much better than the 115F we had this year.  My flowered plants in my front yard all have blooms on them since the weather has cooled down.  We did need to have 3 of them replaced this past week.  Not sure why 3 died and the other 3 have thrived.  Our Red Push Pistachio trees are starting to show signs of fall too.  The leaves are starting to turn to red.  Hopefully we will have a cold enough winter so the leaves can fall off the trees.  Last year they never shed.  

I do have a funny for you today too...................

I sent this to my son, Jay, and he said "I have because it goes in a bloody mary".  Smart boy, that one is.

Until Next Time.............................Happy Crafting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WEEK 12

 

This was another short update.  The only item I worked on was the Fall Breeze Shawl.  Happily, I finished it.

It was an easy knit.  So glad I had the white yarn to help make it a longer shawl.  Otherwise, it would have been really short.  Plus, the white helped to break up the busyness of the other yarn.

Because it was so easy to do..........................

I started another one.  This one is 18 stitches narrower.  I like the depth of this better.  It is being made out of Caron Simply Soft in Charcoal and red.  

That, my friends is all I did this week in crafting.  In other news...................

I got to spend some time with this boy again.  Thor is doing so well.  He has gained weight and has really settled into his new enviornment.

Most of the week was spent spending time out of the house.  We did have Josh's gathering on Monday evening.  It turned out so well and everyone was glad we did it.  Tuesday, we had lunch with good friends and were regaled with tales of the man's trip to Sturgis for motorcycle week.  Wednesday our landscapers came and tidied up our yard.  Since the we are out of then110F, the plants are really growing and blooming.  We did loose 3 plants this year and will be replacing them next week.  Thursday was Marsha day.  I got my nails done and haircut.  The haircut is a bit shorter than I like but it will grow.  Friday was grocery, bank, and water day.  Saturday was Thor sitting and Mass.  Today was Thor sitting and then making dinner for our son and his wife.  

A busy week.  Thankfully, we are done with our extreme heat.  In fact, the mornings are now in the high 70's and the hottest part of the day only 101F!.  Trust me, this is a blessing.

Next week is going to be a little sad.  Stacie (Josie's mom) has sold her house and is getting ready to take off and travel for the next year.  We are having a going away party for her on Friday and so far we have 40 people coming. I am going to miss her.  She was my bingo buddy and always up to going out and about.

Here is your chuckle for the week.

Until Next Time....................Happy Crafting!!!!!!!!!!!

WEEK 11

 

Hi there!  Is it just me, or did the past week whizzzzzzzz by?

I am still working on the Fall Breeze Shawl.

There was quite a bit of progress made on it.  Hopefully it will get completed this coming week.

It is getting quit long.  If I decided to make another one, I am going to make it a bit narrower. This means I will need to do some math!  YIKES!

And that, my friends, is all I did for crafting.  I have done quite a bit of reading and you can find my reading list on my YOP 2026 - 2027  at the top of the page.  On Moonberry Lake was my favorite this past week.  

Tomorrow marks the last 'first' since our son Josh passed away.  It is the anniversary of his passing.  We are having a small gathering of family and friends to tell stories and share memories of his life.

And, to end on a happier note...........here is your chuckle for this week.

Until Next Time...................Happy Crafting!!!!!!!!!!!!

WEEK 10

 

Actually, there was nothing 'done' this week.  There was progress on a new project that I am excited about.

FALL BREEZE SHAWL

I was going to make another To The Point shawl with this yarn but decided I did not like the way the colors were hiding the pattern.  I found this pattern and fell in love with it.  I am almost halfway through it.  The yarn is a discontinued yarn from Hobby Lobby.  It was part of the yarn hall my DIL's mom gave to me.  I did need to pick up some white ILTY to work the middle part of the shawl though.  It is such an easy knit and I can watch TV while working on it.  It is the only thing I worked on this week.

While at HL picking up white yarn I just happened to spy this.................

Seems I am really into bright and cheery colors right now.  These will become another prayer shawl.  Not sure what pattern yet.  I have time to think about it though. 

But wait, there's more

Aren't these just the cutest?  They are needle point protectors.  Well, the mushrooms are.  The hole in the gnomes is really big.  I would need to use a US size 15 to fit the gnomes.  Although, my US size I and J crochet hook fits into them quite nicely. Another HL find.  I need to be so careful in that store.

This past week was so pleasant. It left me quite a bit of knitting time each evening.  I spent one day with Josie taking her to run errands. (Her car battery died....It's since been fixed)  We had a lovely luncheon date with our youngest son and his wife on Wednesday.  Hubby and I took Friday and did all our errands and grocery shopping. 

Josie and I did go to her mom's house to pick up a few things.  Stacie has sold the house and needs to have it 100% cleaned out by the end of this month.  She had quite a few things from my mom and I now have them.  One of the things she had was my mom's Longaberger baskets.  Josie loved it and took it home not knowing what she was going to do with it.

 Seems Meatloaf has found a use for it.  Silly Cat!

Today is laundry day and working in the kitchen.  I am going to make more Bourbon Vanilla.  After making vodka, rum and bourbon vanilla the first of the year, we have decided the bourbon vanilla gives the best flavor to things.  I also need to pull out my sourdough and give it a couple of feeds so I can make scones again.  There might be a cake mix asking to be made into cupcakes too.  I can tell I am begging for fall.  Baking all the things is calling to me.

Here is your chuckle for the week.........................

Until Next Time......................Happy Crafting!!!!!!!!