A Wee Bit of Knitting

Last fall my cousin came to visit from Georgia--and she was cold!  So we went to the store and I let her pick out the yarn she wanted--a bright, multi-colored worsted weight.  And I cast on the first wrist warmer.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that the colors spiraled around the wrister rather than pooling.

It's a pattern that I got many years ago from Patchwork Plus.  I use the Magic Loop method with one 40-inch circular needle.  I made one wrister each night, so she was warm in just a couple days.  I have also made them with longer cuffs.  Either way, they work to keep your hands warm but your fingers free to--oh, I don't know--knit, quilt, etc.  These would make great gifts and are a great take-along project for the summer.  Yes, people will look at you strangely as you are knitting at the beach, but so what?  Be a trend-setter!

Thanks to all who are commenting on the posts.  It's always good to hear from readers.

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to A Deeper Sleep by Dana Stabenow.

Happy New Year!!!!

Okay...I should have spent the bucks to get wi-fi years ago!  The pictures were downloading faster than I could choose them tonight!  On dial-up, I used to open four or five tabs and click back and forth between them hoping for something to download.  Invariably they all timed out, so I never got to see pictures and definitely not even the shortest video.  Now I turn on the computer, turn on the wi-fi, hit a few buttons and I am done!  It is such a time-saver!  Yahoooooooo!

Okay, enough of that frivolity.  Here's a pic of the socks I made my mom this fall.  She likes shorter tops, which I do in a K3 P1 pattern.  A Deborah Norville sock yarn.

Prepare yourselves...I found sixteen (16) bags of Christmas M&Ms on sale last week.  So guess what colors your M&Ms will be for quite some time?  Yep, red and green!  Just giving you a heads up.

This is a mutant M&M.  No, it is not a peanut one.  Just a regular M&M with multiple problems.  Coating missing in places, enlarged pores, slurred writing.

And this is the other side!  A giant divot!  I wonder what happened along that assembly line?

Thank you to one and all for the friendship, laughs and good cheer in 2013.  Let's make 2014 our best year yet.

I am praying for good health, good friends, and supportive families for each one of you.  You are truly special and I value each one of you.

Happy New Year Hugs,

Sharon

The Rest of the Story

Shortly after finishing the gray sweater, I bought some luscious Candy Cane yarn and started another one.  Okay, I actually started it twice.  The first time I found an error not long after joining in the round, so I ripped it back and started again.  Knitting when I had nothing better to do, I was almost three-quarters of the way to separating for the sleeves when I found--an error!

You can see it here, the rows just are not consistent.  And it's on the front where I would see it every time I looked down.

Here's what I had done, still on the needles.

Callie came to investigate--did I say the yarn is soft and cushy?

Here it is off the needles.  Love the striping.

And here's what happened to it!  As I may have mentioned before, I am a process knitter.  Unafraid to rip back to the beginning!  (I find it very interesting that the first time I cast this on and found the mistake, I did actually frog stitch back to the mistake.  This one was too far and too many increases later to do that.)

And here's that mess of yarn all neat and tidy in a center pull ball that I wound myself using a paper towel roll.  Low tech and not wound too tightly.

Never fear, while contemplating the fate of this sweater, I cast on and have knit several inches on a pullover vest in a fabulous deep plum.  Knit bottom up, there are no pesky increases.  Just 16.5 inches of stockinette.  I hope I can keep myself and my knitting in order at least that much!


And I'm sure the third time will be the charm for the other sweater--it's not over yet!


Hugs,
Sharon

Stay Tuned

 I have fiddled and fiddled with the pictures for this post, but have decided to just tease you with one and to tell the rest of the story tomorrow, when I can get the pictures under control. 

Until then...


Hugs,
Sharon


P.S.  I am listening to Devil's Gate by Clive Cussler.

It's Snowing!

A wet, heavy snow. About two inches since 4:00 pm. This time last year I had already cancelled at least two classes!

A knitting question answered: The yarn I used in my sweater was Plymouth Encore, 75% acrylic, 25% wool. Color number 7991 Drifting. I purchased mine at Knitting Etc. in Ithaca, NY. Their website is www.knittingetcithaca.com. They have a wonderful selection of yarn and patterns, and their customer service is tops.

Hugs,
Sharon

A Knitting Finish

You may remember the infamous start to this sweater (thanks again, Elaine!). Well, months later, it is finally finished. The neck, cuffs and bottom edge are knit on much smaller needles than the body/sleeves, so they are supposed to roll. I also find it interesting how the yarn made stripes--some wider than others, depending on how many stitches were on the needle at the time. I guess most people hope for stripes; I was sort of hoping for pooling. But this sweater is lusciously soft and hopefully will keep me warm!

A close-up. The sleeves are kind of like a pair of socks--similar but definitely not identical!

I had forgotten about Glee: The Christmas Album until my friend Jay reminded me. It's from last year and is still fabulous! So I have been playing that between bouts of the Boleyn girls. Can we say extremes?

More tomorrow!

Hugs,

Sharon

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm hoping that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Safe travels to and from wherever the holiday road leads you. I'm lucky to have family close by.

Thank you to everyone who has been commenting on the blog and to those who have been especially supportive over the last month. It has meant a great deal--and I am thankful.

I have managed to finish a hat for a friend--it was gifted about a week ago--and yesterday I noticed it already had a hole in it--compliments of the dog! I was smarter this time--much cheaper yarn (no wool) and a K2P2 ribbing all the way. Pretty fast to knit and I didn't even cringe--okay, I really was expecting something dastardly to befall the hat.

I am about 50 rows from finishing my neck down sweater. I was telling my mom that and she said, "So that makes you two, right?" I nearly fell down laughing--because it's still the first one! Oh, well.

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy every minute of this holiday weekend.

Hugs,

Sharon

Alive

It's just insane. I think I need to get less of a life! I have just updated my website (www.sharonstroud.com) so that you can see what classes I am teaching this fall. There is still time to sign up for a fun time. Imagine....hand piecing, hand quilting, machine piecing, hand applique. So many classes, so little time!

I have literally been busy from morning to night since my last post. I am hoping for a bit more time to download pictures and tell you what's been happening. Don't give up!

Last week I judged for the Mohawk Valley Quilt Club. Their show is September 23, 24 and 25, 10:00-5:00 each day, and it will be fabulous! So if you are in the Utica, NY, area this weekend, check out the show. Please visit www.mohawkvalleyquiltclub.com for more information.

Okay, I need to get back to my non-blogging life. Stay tuned for updates.

Hugs to all,
Sharon

P.S. I have listened to Crescent Dawn by Clive Cussler. And am reading Full Cry by Rita Mae Brown.

P.P.S. I have the body of my sweater done and am knitting the neck/collar now.

A Finish, A Gift, and a Visitor

If my math is correct, this is finish 3 for the year to date. Hand appliqued, machine pieced and hand quilted. I am quite pleased with it.

A detail of the applique and the quilting.

On Saturday, I went to a wonderful bridal shower for my best friend's daughter. So last week I spent spare evening moments knitting this dishcloth. It has hearts knitted in it--appropriate for a bridal shower, don't you think?

And a detail. Made of cotton yarn.

Earlier today I heard something just outside my sewing room window. When I went to look, here's what I found.

A female cardinal doing her best to get in! The picture is not the best because of the tint on the window. I think she was looking at herself on the other side, which acts as a mirror. She was there for quite a while, alternating between the window sill and the shringle bush near it.

I have spent the day appliqueing and weedeating. What a combination! But my new weedeater works great and is so much more advanced than my old one (let's just say it was into double digit years and the motor was smoking the last time I used it--and it is electric).

Tomorrow I am going to share a story with you--something personal that not many of you know. So stay tuned.

Hugs,

Sharon

P.S. If you are wondering why the spacing is so spastic on the posts, it is because I have given up trying to figure out how to edit html to get it right. WYSIWYG does not apply to editing this blog. I think others have given up as well--but it torques my cookies not to have it look better. Just sayin'.

We Interrupt This Lapse

for wool and woodpeckers! First up, my sweater...yes, that one! I am making good progress, having put the sleeve stitches onto waste yarn and speeding along on the body. I'm almost at the end of my third skein. The yarn is Plymouth Encore, a 75% acrylic/25% wool. Don't you love the striped effect?

This woodpecker was checking out this tree--almost "barber-poling" around it!

I think he has been there before--see all the divots in the tree?

Happy Sunday to everyone, and Happy Easter to those who celebrate it.

Hugs,

Sharon

P.S. I'm reading Once Upon a Time, There was You by Elizabeth Berg. Listening to Hell's Corner by David Baldacci, Santa Fe Edge by Stuart Wood, Happily Ever After by Nora Roberts.

April 1--No Fooling!

Are any of you suffering a time warp? How can it possibly be April 1? Isn't it harder to believe when spring never seems to get here? The lilacs and maple trees are just waiting for a really warm day to burst forth with leaves. It's like they are holding their breath in anticipation.

It's been a really good day here--a lot of basting (quilt sandwiches for a class), good friends, horses (it was like herding cats!), and a spot of knitting. Hopefully I can remember to get a picture of my ever-increasing sweater soon. I am almost to the end of the increases! I just love the yarn.

Hope none of you were seriously fooled by anyone/anything today. I'm always glad when I can escape unscathed!

More tomorrow! Happy Saturday, everyone!

Hugs,
Sharon

Can Anyone Explain This?

Probably about a year ago I bought beautiful yarn and started a top down sweater. Life intervened and I put it down--without marking which size I was working on! While trying to figure that out, I noticed that the number of stitches and increases were the same for both size medium and large. Imagine the consternation that ensued. Well, Barb, my knitting guru, told me to always check for corrections before starting a big project, so off to the website I went. This is what unfolded:

After not finding an answer in FAQs or under errata, I emailed the designer. Here's what I said (I have copied emails to and from the designer verbatim):

"Hi! I started the neckdown pullover, and have a question. I wanted to make the large size, but noticed that all but one number for the instructions are exactly like the medium (the length of the sleeve). Is this in error? I have stopped knitting until I can be sure which size to use. I know the extra-large will be too big. I appreciate any help you can give. I love the sweater and have fabulous yarn to make it with. Thank you for any help you can give me. I have looked at the errata page and the frequently asked questions and did not find an answer there."

She promptly replied: "Hello Sharon, No, there is not an error there. The numbers are correct as written. I hope you measured a garment that fits the way you like to decide which size to make. Directions for this are on my FAQ page."

To which I replied: "Thank you for the quick response. I'm still not sure how knitting with the same size needles on the same number of stitches will yield two different size sweaters. But I will give it a try. I'm not afraid to rip out and start over. Thanks again! Sharon ".

Then this came: "Sorry you didn't like my answer, but I can't give a lesson in design in an email. That sweater has been knit hundreds of times since it was published in 1997, but of course you can change it any way you like if you don't think it is correct."

And I finished with: "No offense was meant! I was just trying to understand--which I guess is a personal problem. As someone who is not a knitting designer and depends on pattern accuracy, I have learned from more experienced knitters that it is better to check for corrections before getting too far into a pattern. Sorry to have bothered you. Sharon".

Am I too stupid to knit? Can anyone explain to me (very, very simply...and probably very, very slooooowwwwwlllllyyyy) how one can knit with the same yarn, the same gauge, the same needles on the same number of stitches and get two different size sweaters? My mind simply will not wrap around this. I know in quilting I cannot get two different size quilts if I use the same pattern, the same size squares and the same seam allowance. Why is knitting different?

And, no, I won't tell you who the designer is. But apparently it is someone well-known in the knitting world. Oh, the finished chest sizes are 38, 42, 46, 50 and 54. The 46 and 50 have the same number of stitches. And it's a top down raglan--in case any of that info helps explain. This has bothered me since Saturday so I decided to take it to the blog (like the cloud, only better) and see if anyone can help.

On a more pleasant note, on Friday, when the weather actually looked like spring might come, I got to ride--bareback! After attempting to mount with no saddle and while standing on a 5 gallon pail, we can safely assume that middle age white women cannot jump! Or at least I can't! When told that I would probably do better if I would stop laughing (this as I was half on and half off!), I only laughed harder...go figure!

And, this is my 300th post! So anyone leaving a comment on THIS post between now and 9:00 pm EST, Friday, February 25, will be entered into a drawing for a not-yet-determined prize. Don't worry, I'll make it something worthwhile!

Something cool is being planned for tomorrow's post--so don't look away!

Hugs,
Sharon

Quilting Tip and Knitting Finish

Tonight I want to show you a marker I have been using for several years. I tried it at first on quilts that were small, in case something untoward happened. I kept track to see if there was any degradation of the fabrics, any discoloration, etc. After a couple years of okayness, I started using it more regularly, including my show quilts.

What is this, you ask? The Clover White Marking Pen (fine). That's how it is labeled. Here is a pic of my quilt marked with this pen and then hand quilted. You can go over the lines a couple times to make them "whiter", and I have even used this on a light yellow. Just remember that you have to let the ink dry for it to be seen! I used about half a pen the first time I used one trying to determine why I couldn't see the lines! Imagine what they looked like when dry!!! (The lines do lighten as your hand rubs over them.)

When the quilting was finished, I steamed the top with my iron! You can see how all the marks are miraculously gone! Just remember to have all the quilting finished before steaming. I was quilting a black quilt with black thread and wanted to see what the quilting looked like without the white lines. After completing a good-sized section, I steamed that area. Unfortunately, the steam traveled outward and took out marks where I had not quilted. So I do know what I'm talking about here!

This entire piece was batik--applique, top, backing, binding, sleeve. When I have the binding sewn down I will show it to you in its entirety. It will be my second finish to the year! This photo just shows you a section of the applique and a bit more of the quilting.

Also finished is the second sock of this pair! I am completely enamored of knitting socks! This is my plain vanilla cuff--K3 P1. Great TV knitting or travel knitting. Soft wool socks! They make your feet feel like they are having a spa day!

The colors are richer than they appear in the pictures.

So that's it for tonight. It feels good to be making a dent in the backlog. Plus I have several designs on paper--ahhh, decisions, decisions. Finish old stuff or start new and continue to add to the backlog! What a dilemma!

More soon,

Sharon

The Gift Box

Here's an idea that may put an end to the holiday stress--you know, when it is mid-December and you don't have any of your gifts done! I have a box that I've set aside to put gifts into as I either buy them or make them. Today I finished these beauties:

One large rice buddy, two hand warmer rice buddies and a pillowcase. All of flannel with--yep, you guessed it--ladybugs! I have a friend who loves them and does not read the blog, so I am safe in putting them up. I had to scramble in 2010 because a book I saw with ladybug quilts was not being published until April 2011! Hard to give in 2010. Unfortunately I didn't know about the delay until almost gift-giving time. Not so for 2011. I have sworn to be proactive so that I can enjoy the season more.

Somewhere I read that if you buy/make a holiday gift in the month of someone's birthday you will be ahead of the game. And this box idea would also work for birthdays. Would anyone like to join me on this quest?

I also have another box with knitted hats for both babies and adults. The adult hats go to people undergoing chemo/radiation as needed. Quick to make, but having an assortment for someone to choose from means a lot to them. I use leftover yarn to make a tassel with the yarn content and washing instructions on it. No guessing for me or the recipient.

So I am off to a good start on my Gift Box, with more ideas in mind.

Hugs to everyone from the snowy east,

Sharon

A New Beginning

Butterflies stand for a new beginning. How appropriate at the beginning of a new year!

I spent most of the day piecing more Black Spruce blocks. Two more tops are done with one more to go. Plus I have a rogue 10th block because the cutting is for two blocks at a time. I plan to do a special set on that one.

Second unfinished sock got ten more rows of ribbing. I am half-way! One thing I've found out the hard way is that I don't like to knit a lot of pattern into the top of the sock. It's not relaxing and is not something I can take with me while waiting. Warning: There may be a post about a completed sock and a started sock that will be reduced to --gasp--yarn once again. I'll document it in all its horror! And then I'll share!

Back to teaching this week--but with weather cancellations it's been quite a while since I've seen some of these students. It will be good to see everyone again.

That's it for tonight. Hopefully something more exciting will happen for tomorrow's post!

Hugs,
Sharon

Countdown

With just one day left in 2010 (the end of a decade), I've been trying to complete a few things.

Remember the blue snowflake batik behind the wristers a couple posts ago? Well, here's what I did with it. Three Black Spruce blocks from Judy Hopkins' 501 Rotary-cut Quilt Blocks. Nine inches finished, two inch sashing and two-and-a-half inch borders. Binding will be the same fabric as the borders. Nice long wallhanging and not too seasonal.


A detail shot of the blocks. Looks hard, but really isn't--shhhh, that's our secret!


I wanted to do a little something to put in a friend's holiday card. Raw edge ornaments are lots of fun and I don't feel bad if kids or animals (or naughty adults) give them a rough time. I papercut this pattern and then hand quilted it with Hobbs bleached cotton batting. I used Sulky Blendables in 12 wt. for the outside, and 40 wt. Mettler quilting thread for the detail work. Folk art fun!

Socks. I had one sock done months ago, and the second into the foot area. The yarn is Cascade Heirloom and the colors are much richer than they show in the pictures. I have one more pair that is one whole sock and the other is still on the ribbing--they will not be finished in 2010, but is by my chair to finish soon. I also started a hat as a gift (I wisely did not say which year it was going to be gifted!). And I have been doing some other hand quilting. And attempting to clean up my sewing rooms. I am going to have some new lighting put into my sewing rooms and am interested in hearing what you have and whether you like or dislike your choices. Remodeling is expensive enough when it is done once--having to re-do something because of an error in judgment is just ludicrous.

That's it for tonight. I will be sure to post tomorrow night to finish off the year. Hope everyone has enjoyed the holidays so far. And remember to designate a driver if you are going to be out and about Friday night.

Hugs,

Sharon

Merry Christmas!!!

If you have not finished those last minute gifts...just give up. It's more fun for everyone, especially you, not to have to sit up til the wee hours. You know you'll be cranky all Christmas Day...and your family probably knows it too.

I finished these "wristers" for my mom a couple weeks ago. Nice washable wool.
And a detail. Thank you to my lovely hand model...heehee, it's me! (Sorry, I think I'm a bit giddy!) See the blue batik in the background? That will be showcased in a different post with machine piecing. Lovely backdrop for winter wristers, don't you think?

In two evenings I knit this boa. One skein each of black and red fun fur. The knitting goes fast, but pulling the "eyelashes" back out to fluff the scarf is not nearly as much fun.

Then one evening I made two potholders and four coasters. These are both for the same friend. No worries...she doesn't read my blog!

And two pillowcases. Sorry, I am of the less is more thought for pillowcases. No fancy cuff and trim. I choose fabrics I love and want as much of those as I can get into each case. Plus I can make more in less time, making them the perfect last minute gift!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night. Spend quality time with your loved ones, remember our troops in your prayers, and tell people how much you love them. Don't assume they know.

Special hugs to each and every one of you,

Sharon

Here Today...

How many hours (days, months, years) do you get into a project and decide it is just not right? I had been knitting on this scarf (an excellent pattern, very beautiful) for quite some time, but only a little actual knitting at a time. Why, you ask? Because it had several rows of patterning that had to be counted very carefully. One of my main "rules" for knitting is that it has to be simple enough to knit anywhere. I was actually trying the pattern in the scarf size to determine if I wanted to knit the shawl. (The yarn is Ella Rae lace merino in color 102.)

I had about 12 inches done. Here's a close-up.

And this is what it looked like on Thursday afternoon. I knew I would never finish it, so while Callie wasn't looking, I frogged it. And cast on for a new scarf. I actually cast on twice. Once with too many stitches, thinking it would look fabulous wider. Then, after knitting several rows I realized my mistake and cast on again.

This is the result of only a bit of knitting. It is the feather and fan pattern, with three knit stitches on each side, 8 rows on the top and bottom to keep it from curling. Only four pattern rows total. (For the feather and fan pattern, please visit: www.allfreecrafts.com/knitting/feather.shtml. You can knit lots of things in this pattern with different needle sizes and weights of yarn!

A close-up of the pattern and yarn.

In an ironic twist of fate, I was catching up on some blog reading today and guess what I found? The Yarn Harlot (http://www.theyarnharlot.ca/blog/) is using the same stitch pattern and the same number of stitches to also knit--wait for it--a scarf!!! How cool is that!

I have been quilting as well and will share those pics over the next few days. I actually started and finished something in less than 24 hours! (Okay, haven't I warned you about keeping chocolate by your computer in case you are overcome with vapors at what I'm up to? Consider this your second warning.)

It's been beautiful here the last couple days--but windy and cool. Better than snow! And the furnace is fixed--Yahooooooooo!!!!

Hugs to all,

Sharon

What I've Been Doing

Over the weekend I finished my cross stitch sampler. Remember that the original chart is at Blackbird Designs (see Blog Roll). One of the other stitchers who had a picture of her finished project posted had inserted her Great Danes' names instead of the original stitcher's. So I decided to add the names of the three boxer girls who have graced my life thus far--Sandy, Ginger and Lynnie. Because the chart is not meant to be perfect (no W, borders not consistent) I decided to just wing adding the names (okay, I did chart the names, but not their placement on the piece). I also took artistic license in adding Stroud and 2010, but it all fit and I love it. Now I am on the hunt for perhaps a pink toile to frame it with. The colors are actually darker than they appear here. (And, as always, the not straight photos are all my fault--the cross stitch is perfectly straight.)


A friend's husband is undergoing cancer treatments, so I finished a hat to help keep him warm. Tomorrow is the day it will be washed and dried to remove all the Lynnie and Callie hair and other sundry lint. No sense in doing it too far ahead or there will be more. Soon the hat would be worn out from washing alone!


Stay warm!

Hugs,
Sharon