Fresh Start

The Chicks had a small gathering today, but no less productive as we begin the new cycle of knitting for donations.

Barbara K. finished her Helix Hat so it could be added to the inventory for the November Yarn Bombing. We will be working together with The Delaware Avenue Stitch Angels to provide items which will be distributed along Delaware Avenue in Albany near the library.

Carole stopped by long enough to drop off something and show us her beautiful Childhood Memories scarf. This lovely scarf requires more than one skein of fingering weight yarn and is quite large if made to the original measurement. Carole, being of petite stature, modified the size to suit her.

Barbara K. sourced this yarn from our donated stash to make...

the pleated scarf that Carole added to our inventory last week. Barbara has decided it isn't quite TV knitting since it requires a bit of concentration and counting. But it's not difficult.

Barbara B. chose this blanket to add to the ensemble she is making as a gift.

The knits and purls are strategically placed to create what looks like an intricate grid pattern but is easy to make. Notice all the stitch markers she has placed along the row to help her keep count of changes in the pattern.

Dorah wasn't sure her color choices were going to work together for another Helix Hat but we love it! It's so cheerful and you'll be able to pick the kid out of a crowd.

After the Chicks talked me into keeping the first crazy striped hat I made, I discovered there was plenty of yarn left over to make another to give away. It's slow going since it's made with sock weight yarn and size 2 needles but it's worth it in the end to have a hat that can be worn four different ways.

 Just a couple of weeks until the New York Sheep and Wool Festival better known as Rhinebeck to fiber artists. They get quite the turnout of attendees but I won't be among them. I've come to appreciate the smaller gatherings but this one is a dazzling display of hand made clothing worn by everyone who comes to enjoy the festivities. If you go, make sure to say thank you to all the animals who grow the fur/hair/fleece or whatever fiber you use to make our handiwork possible.

 And keep those needles clicking!

Cowls, cowls, and more cowls

             We had an audience with "The Queen" this week while her home is undergoing some renovation changes. You'll be seeing Joules in the coming weeks, I'm sure.

                          

Carole started off the evening of show and tell with her Childhood Memories scarf she made for herself using Periwinkle Sheep yarn. She couldn't remember the name of the color but let me tell you, it was stunning! The photo doesn't do justice to the deep, luscious, teal blue and her beautiful work. Great job Carole!

She was away but it didn't stop her from catching up on her knitting. She brought a hat and three cowls. Barbara brought us her pretty teal and sky blue striped Present Cowl on the bottom right.

Margaret made good progress on her cowl, The Cooler Side of Warm. 

Barbara started the Cushy Cowl using Periwinkle Sheep worsted weight superwash merino in Shields of Garnet. For some reason the free pattern is no longer available but I had a copy so here goes...

Pattern as follows:

104 yds Chunky yarn 

Size 10.5 circular needle, 16” long 

Cast on 68 sts (76). Place marker for beginning of round and join without twisting. 

Rnds 1-2: K1,P1repeat between * to end of round 

Rnds 3-4: P1, K3 rpt between * to end of round 

Rnds 5-6: K1,P1 rpt between * to end of round 

Rnds 7-8: K2, P1, K1 rpt between * to end of round

Work pattern 5X (40 rounds)

Bind off loosely.

Carole started another cowl tonight too.

Dorah started her Wolkig cowl tonight with more Periwinkle Sheep yarn called Wink. It has a bit of sparkle to it.

I had knitted a scarf many moons ago which curled into a tiny roll and looked like a waste of yarn so I frogged it and decided to make a bandana style cowl. I'm binding off the ruffle edge and holding my breath that I'll have enough yarn to finish.

My version of the Wolkig is half done. When it's finished it will look like it's smocked.

And the Lindan cowl was added to our inventory tonight.

The Ella Rae superwash merino will make it an easy to care for item.

I just heard Joules doing something she probably shouldn't be doing so I'm off! See you next week!

Christmas is 5 days away!

Some of us are making the last ditch effort to finish Christmas gifts in time so we didn't all knit donation items today. Barbara found a yarn called "Team Spirit" and is making a scarf for a family member whose favorite team is the Pittsburgh Steelers (at least I think that's what she said. I'm not a big sports fan). We all thought it was a bumble bee! LOL! Anyway, the yarn comes in slow color changes so you don't have to tie and knot new colors. It just happens, like magic!

 Debbie pulled up her sleeves and readied herself to dive into her hat pattern.

 There was a bit of tinking and slipping stitches but she's back on track and working along.

 Cinzia finished a slouchy hat which was inspired by the Spiral Hat pattern. The yarn has some angora in it so it's really soft.

 Then she pulled out the mermaid tail she's crocheting for a friend's daughter, which has to be done before Christmas. 

 The whole body of the tail is crocheted in Crocodile Stitch. It uses a BOATLOAD of yarn! But it's going to be epic! I wish I could see the expression on the little girl's face when she sees this on Christmas morning.

 Yes, we were a busy bunch today.

Tonight's group was just as busy once we were finished looking at photos of Beth's new grandson. Oh what a cutie pie! And his cheeks!!! Kissably cute is an understatement!

Carole picked up on her Minty Bricks with a lovely variegated blue fingering weight yarn.

And Beth worked on a Hitchhiker with an older edition of Periwinkle Sheep Rhinebeck color.

Dorah finished the first mitten with another Periwinkle Sheep yarn.

I might have to buy this pattern after seeing....

how cozy Beth's shawlette is.

Last week I told you about the shawl I wanted to make for myself to wear to a Christmas Eve party. Well, I'm about 1/3 of the way through and not sure it will be done in time. It has to have time to block too so it might become next year's shawl. As the Chicks reminded me, it's not like I don't have others to wear! LOL!

Since my shawl requires rigid concentration, I put it aside to work on a Miss Winkle that I started in October. The mohair blend yarn has a nice halo and fuzziness that softens it.

Cinzia's daughters made each of us a Christmas star for our decorations using an origami technique. They are such talented girls. So on that note...

Let me wish you all a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

See you next year!