Vacation Time!

I'm a little frazzled because I am trying to get ready to go to Florida. I haven't been there in so many years that I would have to look back at pictures to see what year I was there last. I am excited to visit a friend of mine. She moved down there after retiring and has been there for several years. All I can say is time flies because it doesn't seem that long since her move.

Florida is such a huge state and so much to do. My girlfriend is so organized with this trip. She even made me a chart of the things I want to do because I won't be there but for four days, I'm not totally including when I arrive and when I leave so there is some true packing in to fit the things that I want to do. But she laid it down so nicely that I can figure out what I want to do and what I will need to leave for next time. I just really want to see her, hubby and daughter and her hubby.

So travel is not the way it use to be. You have to worry about so much more than when I went last. I do remember the last trip taking off my shoes but other than that I know it is different with the luggage but I can bring my knitting needles so I am happy.

I am packed but have to make sure the weight is good and bag size works. Then there is always little loose ends to be done. Can you guess what is the most important things I packed? I know you can guess that - it is my knitting and crochet projects. So I am taking with me four projects. Yes I need variety. You never know how long you will need to wait in the airport going and returning. And there are lines to wait on and riding different places. Hurray! I don't have to do the driving so more working on project time. I have mittens call "Cable Cuff Mittens";crochet accent scarf - "Fisherman's Fan"; crochet gloves - "Quick Ribbed Gloves"; fingerless mitts - " Right Round Mitts"

But I did sneak in a couple of crochet pineapple shawls. This is from Cascade Yarns called Alpine Shawl. One is for me and one for my friend that I am visiting. I made her shawl shorter since she is not as tall as me and I didn't want it too long. I can't wait to show her. The weight called for is sport so for the one for me I used Debbie Bliss Rialto and on hers I used Cascade Longwood - see the pictures. They both need to be blocked and the stitches will come a live. On mine I added the fringe that they added to the design. I love it. It is different but it gives it a little extra.

Rhinebeck - Such Fun and Excitement!

When you haven't been to a place in several years and you go with a person that has never been, the level of newness and excitement rises. That is what I felt going to Rhinebeck yesterday for the fiber festival. It was, as usual with a lot of fiber seekers and as I enjoyed every time in the past was the ongoing fashion show that can't be ignored.

I went with a former student and she was so excited. She got sick the week before and was still on the last bit of it during the week of the festival but she was determined to get well before we went on Saturday. Sheer determination I would call that. And we had fun. She was overwhelmed by the number of vendors to choose from, different yarn fibers and the colors galore. Then you have the extras which were wines, cheeses and other goodies to try and buy.

It was a beautiful ride there with the leaves turning. It was a fall day with a little breeze but the sun was out. Then later in the day the temperature changed to cold. But what a wonderful time for the festival because of the weather there were so many that wore their hats, scarves, cowls, sweaters and shawls and enjoyed showing off their work and admiring each other.

Going to the fiber festivals really get you excited to knit and crochet even more. So of course I did not plan on buying several yarns but did (see last picture below). I'm sure you know how that is and if you were there I don't have to say anything else.

The pictures below shows a portion of what was happening there but not limited to because there was even more. Leaving was a bit of a challenge and wait which was not fun but it was all worth it. I hope if you could't go this year that it is on your list for next year. Save those pennies and join the rest of us as we add to our already collection of fibers and projects so we can have more fun.

	Greatadirondack Yarn Co (all the colors), Yarns Plus - Rayon Multi-color, Ginger Hill Farm - grey, Holiday Yarns - hand dyed (hot pink, cream and grey strands of color), wooden shawl pins

Yarn, Yarn and More Yarn

The choices we have in yarn is almost endless. At least it seems that way since every time there is something new that catches our eyes and we just gotta get it. Since I work in a yarn shop now my choices has grown but I am still in budget as not to go overboard. Some say it must be hard to work there and not want to buy all the time. No, it is not hard for me because I am on more of a mission to get for a specific project and not just to have. We all have our missions but at the end of the day we have fun with our world of colors and textures.

This year has been so much better than previous years because I am finally adjusted to the low salary I earn since I was laid off five years ago. It took adjusting to not being able to just buy what I wanted or go where I wanted to go for the most part. I cut back to the bare minimum so that I could survive and I did with just a little help from family. My situation was not even that bad in comparison to someone that has children and a house. But it was still an uphill battle and I am so glad that I did have my knitting and crochet to help me through. There was a time during this period of adjusting that I didn't knit or crochet that much but that was all right because I knew the passion was still there and that fire would return and it did. I just had to do what I had to do for the moment. So now that I am at a yarn shop I can see what I want to buy but I don't have to get it all at once. The yarn shop has such a beautiful selection of yarn choices, colors and textures to chose from.

I also for the first year in several years went to two festivals so far. They were the Sheep and Wool festival in Maryland and the Sheep & Fiber Festival in Lambertville, NJ. It has felt so good to return to things that I enjoyed in the past and I keep little by little adding a few more things. Life happens and you have to see when it does what you will do until it can get better. There are those that in that time of 2008 on that are still struggling and I feel for you but we must try to take one day at a time and keep pressing forward. As for me, light is shinning a little brighter and I want to go towards the light and have it shine even more.

All that to say is that I am enjoying so much my knitting, crochet and all that I have been able to do this year within the craft circle. Let's press on and be a success story and not let the past govern our future.

As for projects they are always evolving and I add to the wish list as I'm sure you do too.

Another shawlette is drying from being blocked. This is from the book Free Spirit Shawls by Lisa Shroyer called Bethe. I enjoyed the short row construction and how the bobble edging is added on. I've been working short rows and in the past I have had to pick up the wraps. I've done a couple of shawls and a scarf using short rows lately but have not had wrap and turns so I didn't have to pick up the wraps - wonderful. But I want to try the German short rows since it is all the rave these days and I will.

What's on your needles or hooks? Enjoy your projects.

Working With Colors - My Favorite Thing To Do

I wish I could gather all the left over yarns from people and just play with color mixing, matching and creating the most interesting combos like an artist does on a canvas.

A customer came into the knit shop and she needed help with a crochet pattern using several color changes. The first thing to do is see how many colors the pattern calls for and the sequence of those colors. Usually they will be in an A, B, C sequence. But with her pattern the colors started with E then C so the sequence was different and then it would mix up again to make the design.

You then have the choice of playing it safe and going with the colors they suggest in the pattern or coming up with your own color choices. If you go by new colors, which the customer had her own color choices, then comes the sequence of the new colors to match the patterns design. I suggested that we use technology at our fingertips - mainly her smart phone to take pictures each time the colors were switched around to form a new sequence. Because once you move them around you can easily forget how you had the previous sequence. So she went with the idea and played with the sequence until one worked. Then it was time to start the project.

To keep track of the colors she was using for each letter I suggested to mark the letters on each yarn label for each color for a quick glance. I suggested to find a place on the pattern to mark it down also. This is called setting yourself up before you begin your project so everything is clear.

As for me, I am working on a project using colors but in a different way. This scarf is called Stripes & Short Rows from the Knit and Crochet Now! show. The yarn I am using is the Ella Rae Seasons. I love the construction of the scarf because of the increasing and short row technique. But also it uses two different long strand color way yarns. I chose the blue tones and the other a mixture of colors with one of the colors being blue. I hardly use the yarn or the colors that the pattern suggest unless I love the colors and want it to look exactly the same. So I am loving how the colors stream through the scarf. You work two rows of one skein and two rows of the second skein of yarn. You don't need to worry about yarn ends because the yarns are carried up the side as the rows are done - Yah! Because you know how I love yarn ends. Need I say more. I will show the finished work through Flickr.

Blocking Trouble

I have so much trouble blocking my projects. No it is not because I don't know what I am doing but it's that little fellow in the picture. I don't have that extra room to put my projects on the floor to dry.

This is Shadow my baby boy. I've had him for three years. I found him outside and he was about 6 months old. I was not looking for another cat after I put my two other babies down but he was out there with some bad weather coming and I just couldn't see him staying out there. He is the perfect cat. I have no trouble with him even with my yarn - really how much more can I ask for.

Of course with most cats if you put something new down and it could be a piece of paper they sniff it and lay down as if to say, "Look what mommy gave me, something new to lay down on." So with blocking items it is impossible to block it in peace. But I think I found a place I could put it. There is a spot that is hidden that he does not go around. I forgot about that and I tried that spot and for the first blocking it worked. I will see if he discovers my new find.

Not everything needs to be blocked. Like this red shawl. It's called Definitely Diagonal Scarf a free pattern found on Ravelry. I like the natural way the stitches flow. I don't want to stretch them out. But this other shawl from the Knit Simple magazine Spring/Summer 2015 called Short-row Shawl needed blocking. Look at the difference. The shawl looks all shriveled up but you bring it to life with blocking. I really loved the construction of both shawls.

Blocking opens and defines the stitches, especially when you are using lacy stitch pattern and it shapes it better. I love seeing the end result of a good blocking. There are several different ways to block. I used the complete emerge in water blocking because I wanted the water to soak through the whole thing and then stretch it out. You have to be careful not to wring it out but squeeze out gently the excess water. Then with a dry towel I placed the shawl on it and let the towel soak up more water. Then comes laying it out, pinning it down and checking the measurements you want or from the pattern. Let it dry and if you need to change the towel do so then let it completely dry.

21st Annual Sheep & Fiber Festival

Saturday and Sunday, September 12th - 13th was the Annual Sheep & Fiber Festival in Lambertville, NJ. It is a smaller festival and that is what makes it great for those that can't walk a lot and have never been to a festival before. It's like the Turtle Back zoo in New Jersey I use to volunteer at. It was big enough to get a taste of a zoo especially for really young kids without traveling to New York to the Bronx Zoo which is huge. So for those that live in NJ this is great. Start small then go big.

I really looked forward to going to the festival and I always get a kick out of one of the events there the sheep dogs gathering the sheep show. The dogs are so dedicated to their job and almost don't want to listen to command because they don't want to take their eyes off of the sheep. The dog they had stood like a statue. He actually didn't move for a long time but he finally laid down.

I went with a former student of mine that has never been to a festival before. She has been purchasing wool and it was good that she could see parts of the process including how yarn is spun and sheared. She was fascinated over how the spinner could get the proper weight of the yarn. Skill is needed since I tried hand spinning, in fact at this festival several years ago. I quickly put it down on my bucket list when I find more time to work with it. We both really enjoyed the road trip. Now she knows what to expect when the larger festival comes in October.

And of course you look forward to seeing what vendors will be here. I'm sure there are those that look forward to their favorite vendors to see what they have.

It only rained once which was a downpour but only lasted a few minutes. We had just finished watching the dog and sheep herding show so that was great timing. This festival has four barns that are closely connected to each other which makes it good for rainy days.

When it came to purchases I was very good. I got one hank of hand-dyed DK weight 100% superwash merino wool from the vendor Traveller. It is a beautiful green variegated yarn which has an appropriate name - Moss Man. And there was a vendor Lynchings modern neck wear there that weaves scarves and I loved the colors and had to get this one that has speckles of colors throughout. And for some reason I think I will have time to get into the needle felting so I brought three bags of roving. But as you can see they are very small because you only need small amounts of it for facial things on stuffed projects like animals and you need eyes or a mouth. Yes I keep dreaming and hopefully I will be able to do it one day. But I knew that Rhinebeck was right around the corner in October so I needed to be good. And I still work at the yarn shop and there is still Michael's. Oh and I forgot about the ball made out of felt with a bell inside I purchased for my baby Shadow (my cat).

Here are a few pictures from our trip.

We had a good time and now we are looking forward to another road trip to Rhinebeck in October.

What My Craft Does For Me

I love having my knitting and crochet in my life. Especially when I am waiting somewhere and I need something to occupy my time.

I was to Motor Vehicles the other day and when I got there it was crowded. I mean the line was long. I've never had to wait in line like that. I went to one that I've never went to before because the one I use to go to closed down. Well, as you can imagine when the guard said that even though you are in line it has been so busy all day you might still not get in. We were all standing in line outside the building and the inside was packed.

Long story short I didn't get in but no time was wasted. I had a large bag of goodies. No I'm not talking about cookies or candy, I'm talking about my knitting and crochet. I got comfortable on the stoop and started in. I worked on a couple of projects and took care of some of those pesky yarn ends. Two projects in particular was this Beret hat from the Knitting Today magazine from an earlier issue of 2011 and BLT Scarf from Ravelry.

I even finally got to read the articles from a newspaper that a student of mine gave me and I had not read them yet. They were from the Home News Tribune and a knitter Pamela MacKenzie writes the articles. I'm glad because she posted some patterns for chemo hats I want to make for donation.

I felt so accomplished but yet I still have to go back for the reason I was there - renewal of my license and registration. I get so excited when I have time I didn't expect to work on. But I was so glad I had my bag of goodies and especially when I see all those other people waiting in line with nothing to do. I don't know how they do it because I would go crazy. I tell people I can wait anywhere and for any amount of time as long as I have my bag full of goodies. I get in my zone and I'm good.

I've been called a bag lady but I was such a happy bag lady. And really what knitter or crocheter that is truly into their art is not a bag lady/man.

Enjoy doing what makes you happy.

Working With Scrap Yarns

In previous posts I talk about how I love using my scrap yarns for projects. Below are a couple of projects I made with my scrap yarns. But I was going through that pile of UFO's and wanted to continue with this project - Bavarian Crochet.

This technique stitch pattern gives you the opportunity to do so much with colors but you can start out using scrap yarns. Yes - start out because after you get further into the project if it is not at last a half of a skein of (regular size) yarn you will not finish a round. This is a yarn eating project for sure. Well, a lot of crochet projects use more yarn than knitting does.

My pattern of colors I chose to do was using variegated yarn for one round then taking two colors out of the variegated yarn for the next two rounds. Then take a different variegated yarn and do the same thing. I am at that point that I used all of my half skeins of yarn and I need to go out and buy. What is great about this project is that I could determine the size but what is not so great is that I have to figure out how many skeins I will need for each round when it gets bigger. I want to make sure I get the right dye lot. But with this project if there is a color difference it really won't show. Lovin that. Working with different colors is a lot of fun and exciting just waiting to see the end result.

I have one more variegated yarn left and two that go well with it so after that a trip to Michael's I go after I figure out what color I want next. I will show my progress.

The Pleasure Was Mine

It was my pleasure and honor to work with this woman that has come into the knit shop from time to time recently. I've seen her but had not helped her before. Well, I did this weekend. What makes her special? She is 100 years old. You don't get to meet someone of that age every day. She has been trying to knit again after 40 years but she wants it to be perfect. She has trouble with her sight and hearing but who wouldn't at 100. But she can still work those fingers enough to work those needles.

She is making a scarf for her son. He brings her to the shop which is so cute. He wants her to enjoy her knitting and I think it is so nice to see that he takes the time out with his mom since it is not always the son that does that. He sits patiently with his kindle every time as we help her. She was doing the seed stitch but that back and forth between knits and purls was really too much. She kept ripping the scarf and starting all over. So after talking with her son I suggested that she use the seed stitch part (she had six rows)for the bottom border and knit (garter) until she had the length then finish with a top border of seed. She agreed and was happy to knit away.

We take so many things for granted in life. The simple fact of being able to knit or crochet becomes huge as I watched this woman with the desire to do more but was limited because of age related issues like clearer eye sight and a stronger ability to remember. It made me again appreciate more what I can do and how much I can do.

She had said that I was very encouraging. No she is the one that is encouraging. Because despite her age and limitations she refuses to give up. I hope I get to see her and work with he again. But for now the vision of this day will stick with me every time I pick up my needles and my eyes can see the stitches and my mind can let me learn more and my hands can function. She really made my day.

Just the ability of being able to do what I do is huge. Thank you for my lesson in appreciation. So if you are not that old and your hands can work some learn from this woman and use her as your encouragement if you find that you are getting in your own way.

So what have I been working on? Oh several projects.

I love fingerless mitts. In the office that I work at it is cold. In the winter I feel colder. I'm always wrapped up in one of my shawl wraps but also my fingerless mitts come in handy because I am typing all day and my hands get cold. I know these crochet fingerless mitts are designed with an open work but I thought they were cute so I made them anyway. They took no time at all since it is done using the V-stitch pattern.

My second project is a knit shawlette. It is done with garter stitch increasing as you go then an open work bottom border gives it that extra pizzazz. The yarn I am using is the Painted Desert and it is 100% Superwash Wool. I love how in this project the colors stripe so well. Not that I was looking for stripes. Unless you look up projects online that use this yarn you don't have an idea as to what it will do but I really like it. And it is soft.

I love shawls but don't have the time or sometimes the patience to work on a more intricate shawl. I don't always want to work with the charts even though I love all those shawl patterns that are out. I did start a couple of shawls a while back and they are still in the UFO pile in wait. The little wraps will have to do for now.

My third project that I am showing is a little crochet case let's say. I saw this pattern and loved it but I said, What do I need a case for?, I know, when I go to the bathroom at work instead of carrying my bag I could carry a small case for the things I need. And with this pattern I can use scrap yarns. I love to be able to find little projects that I can use my leftover yarns for and this was it.

I do have a few more projects but I will leave that for another day. All of these projects will be on my flickr once they are done. Enjoy what you do to the fullest.

Longwood Gardens

It has been a week already since my trip to Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. I would recommend that place for a day trip. What is so great about Longwood Gardens is that you can visit in each season and there is always something wonderful to discover. It is so tranquil and a great place to take a seat on a bench and knit or crochet.

So what is Longwood Gardens you might ask? As the name gives you a big hint it is a garden. It sits on 1,077 acres. The famous Pierre S. du Pont is the founder. It is an array of beautiful trees, plants and flowers of all kinds. It is usually known for its intricate fountain display. Some of the fountains were used for a special lights in different colors show with classical music on certain nights. The show was fantastic. But the fountains are being renovated so attention is drawn to the meticulous gardens, architectural displays and a beautiful conservatory.

For this trip my focus was on the lilly ponds. They just captured my attention because they were in full bloom. There were lots of dragon flies which are one of my favorite insects. I love their colors. When I was growing up I thought that they stung but found out they didn't and I became fascinated by them. The fascination was seeing the day flowers close and the night flowers open as the evening came.

		Topiary Garden
Day Lilly Pad Flowers
Night Lilly Pad Flowers - I was able to see them close and open in the evening

Because the fountains are being renovated there was another show that was new for the evening. This was the opening day for the show. The name was Nightscape: A Light and Sound Experience. I know when it comes to art everyone has their own opinion about it. Well, with this I kept saying, 'Beam me up Scotty'. it was the music that had me saying that. I felt an eerie feeling. Some of the show I liked and other parts of it I didn't. There is too much walking. The show was spread out across a certain part of the grounds. I walked around all afternoon to see the grounds and the wonderful Observatory so when it came to walking for the show it was too much.

It was a show of lights illuminating off of the trees. One of the parts I liked where they had the light illuminating off of the trees and it was by the water so it looked like waves of the sea and dolphins jumping out of the water and back in. That was neat to see. The other part I loved was at the topiary gardens and what they did with that. My opinion is just that and when you visit you will have your own opinion. All in all Longwood Gardens is a place to visit with all its beauty among the trees, flowers and I forgot about the birds you see and architectural designs. And I also can't forget their dining aea because the food is good. And when you think about it doesn't that just go so nice with our knitting and crochet. The wold of color and design.

If you are able to just visit and see for yourself that it is a piece of treasure for the Pennsylvania area.