A great big THANK YOU!

So I woke up this morning and as is my usual habit, I checked my email during breakfast. I received an email from a vendor on Ravelry notifying me that I had received a gift of an e-book of knitting patterns. All I had to do was enter the promo code word and I could download the book. Well, being that it was first thing in the morning and I don't drink coffee, my mind was kind of fuzzy so I thought for sure it had been sent to me in error! 

I sent a note to the vendor apologizing for my confusion but that I hadn't ordered anything. Her reply was "Tis a gift from a friend and its up to that friend to let me know who it is." 

Really?!!! Wow! How exciting! 

I immediately raced into Ravelry and downloaded my e-book of three lovely patterns from "The Downton Abbey" collection. The patterns are for a shawl, a neck warmer, and socks. Again, wow! I had to put aside my current knitting project and look for some worsted weight yarn to start the neck warmer right away. 

So to whoever it was that sent me this lovely gift, thank you for your sweet thoughtfulness! I am touched by your kindness and I really appreciate the gesture! God bless you!

My Cuties! And my Chicks!

I went to visit my grandbabies this weekend. Boy! I miss those cute faces!

 Leo learned how to scold and isn't afraid to use that chubby little finger. LOL!

 Moose ordered a kid's meal and the prize was a microphone so now he's doing his best Luke Bryan impression. Don't you love the Spiderman hat?

 This week with the Chicks was very productive. I finished a hoodie I started in March. I knitted all the way to the I-cord tie for the hood and put it into hibernation.

 Sometimes I need to distance myself from a project until I feel like getting back to it. I love this sweater from Knitting Pure and Simple patterns.

 Kathleen finished two hats and two pairs of mittens. She usually knits her mittens flat on two needles and then sews the seam. These two she tried the basic mitten pattern from 

Claudia Krisinski, free on Ravelry, which is knitted in the round on three double pointed needles. I think she might be convinced to try these again. I personally dislike sewing finished knitted garments so seamless sounds great to me!

 Barbara borrowed my iPad to look up a pattern to start a hat. Boy! That thing comes in handy!

 Here is Kathleen making another pair of mittens in the round. See? I told you she liked that pattern. 

 Karin worked on a hat with her hand dyed yarn and by evening's end it was finished.

 Beth worked on a scarf that has a keyhole opening to slip the end through so it stays snug around one's neck. She is wearing her Willow cowl. So pretty!

 Dorah and the never ending scarf! LOL!

 Maureen started a Wingspan scarf using a pretty variegated yarn for which she couldn't find the label, so we don't know what it is.

 We had a visitor last night. Susan stopped me at a New York State Thruway rest stop two weeks ago when I was wearing my Catkin shawl and commented that she liked it and she used to knit but could use a refresher course. Would I be willing to help her out? Sure! I'm hoping in exchange she'll agree to be a Chick!

 Carole started this slouch hat with a pretty teal yarn. Maybe you'll get to see it next week.

For now I'll just go back to my Wingspan and see if I can finish it this week. I am almost near the end of it so I can always hope!

Happy Thanksgiving!

A trunkload of prayers and blessings

On Friday I prepared the inventory for delivery to Staten Island for the survivors of Hurricane Sandy. The kitchen table was almost completely covered with warm woolies.

The mittens alone covered the whole corner!

 The scarves and neck warmers piled so high they almost toppled over.

 And many heads will be a bit warmer thanks to my Chicks.

 The ladies made some beautiful warm blankets too. I can picture a cute little munchkin clinging to his blankie for comfort and warmth. The grand total of items came to 95 (actually 131 if you count the pairs of socks and mittens individually).

 The trunk of my car was filled! Actually, there were more bags in the back seat as well. Not only did the Chicks and their friends knit items to give, we all also added items for cleaning, toiletries and other incidentals.

 We filled every inch of space right into the back of the trunk.

And wherever there was a gap we stuffed in a few extra prayers for strength and comfort for those who have suffered through Hurricane Sandy. 

To my Chicks I want to say thank you so much for your generous spirits and willingness to help others. And to the survivors, our love to you all! God bless you with healing and restoration of your souls.

 All our best to you!

Wrap it up!

We Chicks are wrapping up the last few items to bring to Hurricane Sandy survivors this weekend. 

Carole worked on the beret she started last week. It's almost done here and she'll have it ready for me before Friday.

 I finished one mitten and have less than half of the second to go. I worked on it while I waited for an appointment today. Isn't it funny how you don't mind waiting if you have something worthwhile to do during the wait? When I was called into the appointment I was disappointed that I couldn't wait longer! HA!

 In the beginning of the evening Maureen was at this point on her cable hat. See it later on down in the post.

 Kathleen made this beautiful baby blanket using acrylic so it's washable. That's always a benefit with baby clothes!

 Here are a few more things Kathleen knitted since last we saw her. The little brown hat to the right is one I made and slipped in there. It matches the mittens I'm making too.

 Maureen found the perfect silver button for this cloche hat that she made.

 And here is her other hat all finished. See? I told you she would get it done before the night was over!

We have a few more things to wrap up before Friday. I also have to shop for some cleaning materials and toiletries to include with our delivery. 

Our prayers continue to go out for all those who were touched by Hurricane Sandy.

Changing Course

In light of the recent Frankenstorm, Hurricane Sandy, the Chicks decided to reroute the current donation to survivors downstate. Having relatives in Staten Island, I was able to make arrangements to donate directly to a neighborhood that was one of the direct hit areas. Last night we Chicks hastily labeled items with our washing instruction labels and our cute little chicks label.

These are some cute chicks!

On the reverse side of the label is our prayer for every recipient.

So far we have four large bags filled with scarves, mittens, hats, shawls, socks, and blankets. More will be arriving before we deliver next week.

A few weeks ago I showed you Carole's Wingspan in progress. Last night she modeled it for us. It's beautiful!

Look at Beth's face in the lower left. You can tell she really likes it. Beautiful job Carole!

Maureen made a lot of progress on her hat since last week. 

And I finished the scarf I started last Tuesday. I mentioned that I didn't like the garter stitch edging so I frogged the scarf and started it over on Wednesday.

I used an I-cord cast on, I-cord edge stitches, and an I-cord bind off. I am much happier with the results.

By the way, last week I misspoke when I called this the Linen Stitch. It's actually called the Cross Stitch. The scarf is about 8 inches wide and 60 inches long and used a little more than 3 skeins of Baby Alpaca Grande yarn. The yarn is very soft and the dense stitching will keep someone nice and warm. There is enough left to make a small hat. Now I need to get back to it so I can slip it in this inventory. The survivors of Hurricane Sandy could use your prayers and donations. Please take the time to make a contribution.

Never ending projects and Halloween with the grands!

Last week I showed you the Cedar Leaf Shawlette blocking with the fingerless mitts. Well, this week is time to model. This close up shows the details of the leaves. And it was a very easy pattern to make.

 

It can be worn as a shawl that just skims the shoulders or wrapped around the neck like a cowl. I used Knit Picks Baby Alpaca yarn so it's so very soft and not at all itchy or scratchy against the skin. Believe me, I know itchy and scratchy personally!

The evening Chicks all laughed about our projects this week. We each seem to be knitting the "Never-Ending Scarves"! Beth is afraid you will be tired of seeing the same old scarf she is knitting. It is longer, really!

Karin is working on a shawl which will have a sawtooth edge finish to it.

Maureen was at the first few rows of her project.

And Dorah has decreased her knitting time to under two hours to do the 18 or 20 rows of the motif for her scarf.

I started this linen stitch scarf with a bulky weight 100% baby alpaca but I'm not happy with the edging. Since the linen stitch pulls the fabric taught the edging is all wonky. I think I will be frogging this in favor of an I-cord edging.

Maureen finished a pair of slippers for a man and.....

I finished a scarf for a man. It seems I get more inspiration for feminine knits so I have to force myself to make something more masculine.

Karin made a warm hat which a man could use too.

The grandsons, Sir Philip and Sir Leo, brought Mommy, Queen Guinevere, for a visit this week. They were supposed to come up for the Halloween party on Sunday but were forced to stay through Hurricane Sandy. Too bad for me, right? I loved having their stay extended! I get to have all the Moose and Leo cuddles 24/7 that I can take.

The party was on Sunday and started with finding candy in the Haunted House room.

We all moved on to the big ballroom where there were arts and crafts. Moose made a few leaf hangers with line designs.

The staff at the restaurant get in on the festivities too with their own pumpkin carvings.

And what would a Halloween party be if you didn't bob for apples?

Moose took quite a dive!

Leo looked like he had a sampling of the "decorate-your-own" cookies.

And this would explain why Moose couldn't get to sleep that night!

Leo and I watched as Joey D. made balloon animals for the bigger kids.

Moose took quite a while to decide which balloon animal he wanted from the menu. It amazes me what a good reader he is and he has just started kindergarten! We can't even spell around him because he knows what we're spelling!

He chose Spiderman!(edited to correct, it should read Ironman, not Spider-Man. I was reprimanded by my grandson for getting that wrong! LOL!)

It's a good thing the boys' trip home was delayed because they got to see Uncle Drew before they left. They really love their Uncle Drew!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go take a nap. A whole week with those beautiful, energetic boys is a lot for me to take!