My Lace Book Has a Centerfold

My friend came to my rescue with this thoughtful gift, I now have lace on the needles, and it feels right--it has been too long. The book is Wrapped in Lace: Knitted Heirloom Designs from Around the World, and it is wonderful. The stories and information throughout the book are fascinating enough, but then there are so many charts, (including ones that fold out!) new (to me, at least) stitches, and the projects include a nice variety of shapes and sizes. I decided on the Rata Scarf for my first project. I thought that would be a nice way to ease back into it. I am further along than my progress picture shows, but still have a long way to go. The center panel has 504 rows, and the right and left edgings have 510 rows each. I have already worked the bottom edging, and am working the left edging along with the center. I am currently working from three charts, and have to keep an eye on the written instructions for additional, important information. It is interesting without being too complicated, and still giving me the challenge that I need right now.

I'm an Owl Exterminator!

It is all owls, all the time here. I have been hooking almost nonstop for about the last week-and-a-half. I do not remember just how it all started, but once I began, I never found a stopping point, and now that season two of Downton Abbey is over, I do not know when I will stop. The bright colors and acrylic yarns are not my usual style, but they work for these hats. I did get a look from a knitter in a waiting room the other day, but when I asked how she liked the Signature Needle Arts circs she was using, my Real KnitterTM credit appeared to be restored, or not--I really do not care.

The finished hats were piling up for a while, and then I gave four away. Three went as birthday gifts, and one went to a niece because she wanted one. The kids love the hats, and so do their parents. Another niece asked me to teach her mom how to knit (and then she asked me to teach her mom how to crochet once I told her the hats are crocheted) so that she could have one. I have already taught this particular niece to knit, I have a feeling she does not want to learn to crochet any more than I want to teach her, I know her mother does not want to learn, and I have already given an owl hat to her sister, so I think making one for her is the best option.

The two sleepy owls are meant for the future new nephew and niece, and when another sister-in-law saw them, she asked if I would make two for her twin infant nieces. I am not sure what will happen with the rest. People keep telling me that I could sell them, (yes, the designer does allow this) and the same thoughts go through my head each time I hear it. Usually I think, "If people will pay, please give me money, or point me in the direction of those who will." Then I just have a chuckle to myself about being a hooker who never gets paid.

Love in Black and White

The return of knitting may be nigh, but it is not here, yet. Still, there is yarn, the need to create is here, and the desire to give to others is always with me. The next thing I knew, I was telling Bruce that he needed to decide which end of our home he wanted to be on for just a little bit because I was going to warp my Cricket.

The weaving seemed to zoom across the loom. I had a nice rhythm, and watching the pattern form was so satisfying--almost hypnotically soothing. I just knew that it was going to be perfect for my friend, and that made the experience even better.

Well, it was supposed to be a Groundhog Day present, though it was a bit late, but it arrived, and it fits, and I think it looks great on her!

Happy Groundhog Day!

The forces have been conspiring against me to prevent me from enjoying the holiday, but I did not let them. Of course, it would be fairly impossible to not celebrate, as we are getting six more weeks of winter! You might have had a hard time knowing that it is still winter if you had been in my yard today, as there were bunches of cardinals, two woodpeckers up in the trees, and a blue jay eyeing the pan of cat food.

Then, I learned that today is World Ukulele Day. February 2nd is turning out to be one of the most festive days of the year, eh? Probably, I will end the day with a celebratory hot cocoa.

Anyway, it cannot be all ukuleles and groundhogs around here, so I have been doing other things. Some of them are gifties, and others are just slow and not great for progress shots. Obviously, I cannot show the giftie-bits, but I can show the slowness. I am carding fiber. I suppose I should have warned you to sit down for a moment before laying excitement like that on you, but I am wilder than ever today.
I know that I have wool and silk, but that is about all that I know. What I thought I knew was that this was going to be blended for me, but it was a misunderstanding. It is fine, because it gives me the opportunity to use my hand cards with good fiber. My previous experience has been with some not-so-stellar stuff, and my results showed it. Anyway, I am about halfway through, and now that I have cleaned up the runaway bits of fluff, it is time to take up the process again so that I can get it on the wheel.

p.s. I just received a text from my brother--Katie is going to be a big sister to a little sister!